Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-04-10

pens his mouth for conipromiset' These cries
will be SO many obstacles to PeGce-honorable
Desce. AS we would keep the power over this
subject in the hands TO which the CONSTITU-
TON has entrusted it-as we would protect the
trust committed to the Seq ATE, and do our whole
duty to the cause of LIBERTx CIRCULATED BIZ
LAW. to God and to our consciences-l think the
Senate should aid TO bring this controversy to
conclusion, in some way or other as soon as pos
sible. Another year. and it may be too late to set
tie it in peace. Another three gears delay. and
it wH not he settled without dreadful conflict OF
political agitations at home, and perhaps despe
rate war between Two Christian nations. God de-
liver us from both
If the trusts of this body under the Constitution
must be carried for discussion beforehand to the
court-houses and party caucuses of the land-ifI
we must encounter the agitations and perils and
bitterness of popular ordeal in our foreign affairs
will not the Senate agree that it is safer and wi
to take care that the pleadings shall be made
up so as to present the TRUE ISSUES? Notice
or notice is al old neutrality-suspicious. and
prejudged; and the peace of the country can hard
y be preserved if we suffer that to be the issue
which goes before the country. Let us give the
notice. then, to the Presidents hands, before the
negotiation is closed and, if there is compromise,
the question will go to the people upon that. The
result is, to my mind, neither doubtful fearful
If no compromise that we can accept with honor
shall be offered now. it never will be offered; and
then we shall soon have the whole subject before
US, and can take such steps will protect our
rights and carry this question into our popular e.
lections upon fair and true issues. But there has
been doubt excited lest the President might abuse
the notice after we have authorized 1t. and you
hesitate. Is there not more danger from our de-
lay, than in any trust we may repose in the Exec
utive by giving him the use of this notice. even if
he should abuse it! Friends of the Administra-
on-DEMocRArs-sureIy WE can con6de it to
him, else we ought not to be his friends Conf
dence is not to be expected with so much alacrity
from those who have been his political opponents,
especially when some of ourselves have miscon-
strued the President. But, WHIGs of the Senate
do you still doubt his position! Do you fear he
may abuse this notice after it is given to him. Gas
it has been said ne would by abruptly closing ne
gotiation, and even refusing his own offer for a
compromise at 49o, should it be returned to him
TO such as are resolved to stand by him AT THAT
LINE OF COMPROMISE, and to NO 9TH
ERS, DO | appeal. have said already that if you
do not mean to stop concession at that line. you
do rig hit in refusing the notice. He cannot speak
upon that point; official propriety forbids it |
have already said and proved. But here is guar
anty. Let him but venture to occupy that posi-
ton contrary to your hopes and expectations Let
him only attempt to hetray the confidence you put
in his conduct. ooh he will not do it. l feel
like was defending friends honor. when say
again, and again. and again, that this const uction
CANNOT be true.) But what if he should at
tempt it The country will yet be safe. He
might embarrass the Senate, but he would destroy
himself. The moment he does it, the whole sub
H. h. e l.
hands, and fall EXCLUSIVELY INTO OURS.
The Legislative and not the Executive depart
ment, will thenceforth have it in charge; with no
change but the abrogatlon of a convention that It
were rashness in US to continue longer in force.
We have a majority here for peace, and for every
honorable means Of preserving it no more, but
all that-men who, am sure, would defy faction,
and laugh at demagogism in the crisis of their
countrv's fate-Democrats and Wings. all patriots
and together upon an AMERICAN'' question.
| And the bill for extending our jurisdiction over
Oregon need not to be, it ought not be, adopted
until we see what more the President will d. and
'Uhot Great Britain means to do. And this Sen
ate ought not to adjourn until we know whether
we are to have PEACE or SWORD. II
SHALL NOT BY MY VOTE. 1t would 20,
be becoming in me to undertake to advise how we
ought to act in such case upon subsequent mea-
sures. Though do not admire the common use
of Scri pture quotations in political speeches, the
subject and the occasion appear to be solemn and
impressive enough to excuse me for saying upon
that point, 'Sutiicient upon the day Is the ev
| thereof"
! come now to invite the attention of the Senate
to some of the several forms in which 1t has beer
proposed that this notice shall BE- authorz d. The
resolution reported from the ommittee on For
eign Affairs not at all Objectionable to my
mind in the outset. For nothing un its face do
now think that resolution objectionable. But 9TH
er Senators were not satisfied with it, and prefer
red TO pursue different form Of words; and
have held myself ready at all times to adopt any
form that might be more acceptable to others. sc
long as the substance was not sacrificed If coult
desire to put Senators of any party in false posi-
ton upon question of this kind, should despist
myself. The resolution and preamble offered by
the senator from Kentucky (Mr. Crittenden,
when it was proposed, seemed to me to arrive a
the object, substantially. by another form Of words
perhaps better, perhaps not; any way, was a
the beginning and | am now, contented to TAKE
that. like i'll approve it. But should like I,
it altered, by striking out the pRov1so which
delays tine notice until after the present session
: Congress- My reasons have been already stated
Should they make no impression upon the iudg
, ment of the senate, do not expect to make tina
= proUlSo reason for voting against that amend
} mint. The preamble, although not originally ne
cessary, was, perhaps, expedient account of TIT
t course of the debates which sprung up in the sen
t ate, and connected themselves with OREGON
and the introduction of the proposition of the sen
/ ator from Kentucky Mr.. Crittenden) was at onc
: wise and patriotic movement. to check the pro
gress of unnecessary alarm in the country. Witt
the lights at that time before US, think it was So
o Though I knew nothing Of it until it was propo
= sed by MIN, in my heart thanked him for it,
= That senator is better judge than am. whethe
n all the valuable and patriotic purposes designed b
!, him have not been fully accomplished. The diff
ference between authorizn the President to Civ
i the notice at his discretion, and law annullin
It the treaty and directing him to gire the notice