The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-02-24
the honorable member even more for the adj
| mission he has nnrv nrnhe

MIR. p. King. You are welcome to it.
Mr.. Winthrop. l am under no particular
obligation 10 vindicate the course of the pres
ent Administration. But as an American
citizen, without regard 10 party, and with n
single eye TO the honor of nv country 7
would Indignantly repel the IDEA that our
Government, in whatsoever hands il mioht
be: could be gully OF so scanduous and a.
bominable act as that which has now been
imputed 10 it by one of its peculiar defen-
ders. But the honorable member admits
that any man of common sense must have
understood, that the minister OF Great Bitain
would refuse the offer which was thus made.
(hypocriically made, as he believes and
would refuse il precisely us it had been re.
fused, without even transmitting il across
the water. What, then, becomes of all the
Indignation which has been expressed and
and implied by the Administration and It's
friends, from the Secretary o. State down
wards, at the rejection, and mols particular
ly at the manner OF the rejection, of that Of
fer? Why. il seems, after all, that the hon
orable member and myself are not so far a.
part. This admission ofhis is entirely in ac-
cordance with the view which have already
expressed, that If any compromise whatever
was TO be made, and rejoice 10 find that
eign Affairs has this morning emphaticaly
denominated himselfa cOmpTOmiser,) the re-
lection OF this precise offer does not authorize
us 10 leap at once 10 the conclusion that s;no
compromise which the United States ought
10 accept can he effected. If our Govern
mcnt has thus far made no Offer except one
which any man of common sense
might have known would be rejected pre-
cisely as il has been" trust it will behink
itself of making another hereafter, which
will afford 10 Great Britain q less reasonable
pretext Tor so summary proceeding.
But Mr.. Speaker, it is certainly possible
that, with the best intentions on both sides of
the waller, all efforts at negotiating a compro-
mise may fail. Ii may turn out hereafter,
though ! deny that it is yet proved. that no
compromise which the United States ought
TO accept can be effected. What Their? Is
there no resort but wal? Yes, yes; there
is still another easy and obvious mode of a.
verting that fearful alternative | mean>dr-
bitrdtioH; a resort so reasonable, so lust. SO
conlormable 10 The principles which govern
us in our daily domestic affairs, so conlorma-
| BILE TO the spirit of civilization and Christian
| iiy, that no man will venture TO say one word
against il in the abstract. But then we can
find 10 impartial arbiter, say gentlemen :;
and, therefore, we will lave no arbitratdn.-
| Our title is so clear and indisputable that we
tan find nobody in The wide world impartial
encu sh 10 give it lair consideration
| Sir, this is the most unworthy pre,cncc :;
unworthy of Us. and offensive to all mankind
Ii is doing injustice TO our own case and our
own character, 10 assume that all the world
are prrjudiced against us. Nothing but
consciousness Of having given cause for such
a state of feeling, could have suggested its
existence. The day has been whom we
could hold up oar heads and appeal conf
IDENTIFY, not merely for justice, but for sympa-
| Thy aRd succor il they were needed, TO more
than one gallant and generous nation. We
| may do so again. if we will not wantonly
outrage the feelings of he civilized world.
For my self, there is no monarch in Europe
10 whom | should fear TO submit this cues.
ton. The King of France, the King of
Prussia, The Emperor OF Russia, either of
them would bring il 10 intelligence, imparii-
atty. and ability. But, if there be jeaI-
ousy OF crowned heads. why not propose
commission of civilians II you will put no
trust in princes, there are profound lurisis,
accomplished historians, men OF learning,
philosophy, and sclence, OH both sides of the
wafer, from whom tribunal might be con-
stItutcd, whose decision upon any question
would command universal confidence and
respect The venerable GalIatn, Ito name |
no other American name. TO whose original !
exposition of this question we owe almost all |
that Ia valuable in the papers by which our |
title has since been enforced, would add the |
crswning grace TO his long life Of patriotic
service, by representing his country once
more in tribunal 10 which her honor. her
! licrest, and her Peace might safely be en-
trusted At any rate. let lis not reject The
idea of arbitration in the abstract; and rthe
terms cannot be agreed upon afterwards, We
shall soon have some sort OF apology for not
submit ting TO il. General Jackson, sir. did
not regard arbitration as measure unfit e.
Their for him or his country 10 adopt. Indeed
II is well understood that he was so Indignant
al the King OF Hollands line not being ac-
copied by us, that he declined 10 take any
further steps on the subject of the Norhcas-
tern boundary.
cannot but regret Mr.. Speaker, that the
President, in making up an issue before The
civilized world. upon which he claims 10 be
relieved oil all responsibility which may fol-
low the failure 10 settle this question. has o.
mitted all allusion TO the fact that arbitration
on this subject of Oregon has been once sol
EMMY rendered TO us by Great Britain. am
on this omission of which il is sus- I
;spiibe, and 10 believe that the President de- l.
sired TO leave himself still uncommilied upon
he point. Without some such explanation,
t certainly has most unfortunate and disin- c
,enuous look. This omitted fact is, indeed, b
enough 10 turn the scale of public judgement D
lpon the whole issue. Arbitration offered i
" Great Britain, and perseveringly rejected n
~ US, leaves the responsibility for the pres Y
,rvaion ofpeace upon our own shoulders e
The Administration cannot escape from the y
'urden oflhat responsibility. And a fearful il
il is, both 10 man and TO God ia
Before concluding my remarks. as the ri
lock admonishes me soon must, desire 10 If
evert 10 one or two points to which alluded C,
riefy at the outset. have already declar o
d myself opposed 10 the views Of my honor b
BILE colleague, (Mr. Adams as TO giving II
he notice 10 Great Britain. ! honestly be- p
eve that the Termination OF that convention
f joint occupants, Il call it by this name for OIL
not perceiving that it makes any is
Material difference as 10 the real question m
efore no \ a This mOmPnf undPr existing / =.