The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-04-28
UNITED STATES SENATE.
WAsH1NeroN, Aprd l6.

pied. The expectation was that an inter
esting debate would be had, and that the
resolutions would be disposed of in ref
erence to the notice to put an end TO the
convention of 1927.
The orders of the day were called for
at an early hour by MIR. Archer.
Mr.. Crittenden rose to address the
Senate on the Oregon Resolutions. Mr..
c. said that he should he as brief as pos
sible, and say nothing but what would re-
fer 10 the giving or Withholding the "no-
ticc." Two countries had long conflict
ing claims TO the territory in dispute-to
the 42d and 54th degrees OF north iatl-
tude. This country was intersectcd by
two great rivers, the Columbia and f ra-
zer's River, the former discovered by
ourselves and the latter by Great Britain.
There was nothing in reference to the
discoveries and settlements which had
been made which could really make out
good claim by way Of title.
Mr.. Criltenden said it was the wish Of
Mr.. Jefferson that this question should
be settled by continuing the same line in
force beyond tlle Rocky Mountains, as
well as thus side Of the Rocky Mountains.
But the attempt was not enforced, and
we went on till 1918. when the treaty
was made which it is now proposed TO
abrogale.
Mr.. G.. said he regretted the recent agi-
tatIon upon this subject in the Senate, and
in the country. Had it not been made
party subject: a few years hence would
doubtless have found rs in possession of
the territory. England would not have
regarded the country as worth subIuga-
ting if she had found our people in pos
session of il.
Mr.. c, said be was among those who
thought the greatest good would be attain
ed by giving the notice. If the terms in
which it was given were not offensive and
wee peaceful there would be and could
be no cause Of complaint whatever. Post
ponement only increased the difficulties
of settlement, and made the end worse
than the beginning. He believed if the
notice was given in terms of amity and
respect, there would be no cause Of diff
Guilty. lie feared collisions would ensue
from the longer delay upon this question,
and he desired, therefore, that the notice
should be given
Before Congress met again, if this
question was not settled, he feared .here
would be a conflict among the people of
Oregon themselves. Confusion and an
archy would be likvly to ensue from de-
Law. He had confidence that the question
could and would be settled amicablv.-
The President desired the notice to aid
him. The Administration rested in the
appearance of assured peace, and moth
ing had been done that looked like prep
arations for war.
Those who had the management of
this question in both countries must be
more than men or less than men if they
failed 10 settle this question amicably.-
lie regarded the notice as means of
Peace as it was asked for. He regarded
II as such under all the circumstances, and
at would be disgrace to the age if in the
end it should not be amicablv settled
Before God and men they would be res
ponsible who acted as negotiators upon
this question.
III Statesmen were worth any thing in
the world, the question would be settled.
sIet the President look to it when he held
1he power in his own hands. His then
would be the responsibility. Let him
beware and act as a President of the T.
mted States-as a just man. If he plum
ged the country needlessly into war,
the fault would be his, and terrible would
be the responsibility.
Mr.. C. argued that the question was
not one in Which national honor was at
all involved 1t was buta question of
property, and 70 more, and ought to he
settled as easily and as peacefully as any
question of neighborhood between par
iies I'D dispute.
Mr.. Z commented with great power
upon the consequences of war, without
depicting its horrors. II war ensued, it
would most certainly be long war. It
was said boastfnlly, but truly, that the sun
never sets upon British Dominions. SO
the sun would never sci upon war that
would ensue. Each of the twenty-four
hours would End iftgoingon wherever the
sun rolled, and the sea flowed.
The cost of war no man could well
compute We had a war of seven years,
which left us heavily burdened with debt.
The Senator from South Carolina, (Mr.
calhoun, )had estimated the debta $780,
OOO,Oo0, which would be the price of
war With the capacity of the too ma
tons 10 carry on war, no one could
tell where it would end.
mr. CritlendcR gave brilliant and hap
py picture of peace, and lis noble pro-
gress in making men wise and the nation
rich. Nothing but our folly and wicked
ness could disturb our peaceful progress,
and thc child is born who will see the
.,n.Intr. 1911 ,.,.aa, or.a A-.d III