Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-04-03
TERMS % SO i'm advance.
WHOLE NO. 81.


of 1897, where, in despite of The opposition of
TONI and in defiance Of his predictions, the
convention was approved by a vote ayes 81,
noes 7.
The "British party seems to have been still
a strong party in the American Senate! The
names of some Of them stood high on the rolls
of Democracy, and some are now in high pla-
ces. l will not tax the patience of the Sem
ate by reading them over.
He found that under the administration sue
ceeding the ratification Of this convention, all
Of them-Adam's, Jackson's, Van Buren's.
Harrison's. and Tyler's, too-we made no
complaint of Great Britain about Oregon, and
sounded no alarm to the people to prepare for
reputation of our own offers to compromise
''an inch, below $40 4O' but quietly submit
ted to let this remain as they were until Octo-
Der, l943, when the message informs us that
our Minister in London was authorized to
make an offer Of compromise similar 10 those
made by as in lit and 1927 10 other words.
10 renew our offer of the compromise line of
49o. Thus stood the question when the ne
gotia,ion was transferred to Washington
Here beg the Senate to observe that Mr.. Ty-
ler's message, in December, 1843, informed
Congress that "the negotiations for an adjust.
ment and settlement had again been proposed,
and were in progress to resumption" Yes.
proposed by US; and the President sale that
{. every proper ex2edient would he resotted to
for the purpose Of bringing it to a speedy and
happy termination" And. again, by his mes
sage to Congress. in December, 1914, he
said: GA negotiation has been formerly en-
s tered upon between the Secretary of State
: and her Brittanic Majesty's Minister, &c.
'residing at Washington, relative to the rights
| : of their respective nations in and over the
Oregon territory. That negotiation is still
pending" This. too, after Mr.. Folks elec.
,ion-after the Baltimore Convention Of 1914.
But no where conld the President find that
any Of the s. true friends Of Oregon" had re-
corded their opposition to it by their VOTES IN
CoNsREss. If he did, it is more than | can
find. The Senators from Ohio, Indiana, and
Illinois (Messrs. Allen, Hannegan. Breese)
were all Senators at the time. No. Mr.. Pre-
siden,, the Senate did not advise nor protest
against negotiation when it was only "in pro-
: gress to a resumption" nor had Senators bro't
themselves up to the point, so far as know.
Of only moving, so late as two years ago,
whilst there was time and opportunity for IT,
10 stop the negotiation itself. which has now
become so unconstitutional and so dishonora-
BILE to the nation.
But again: He found that these persevering
efforts to fix our northern boundary in Oregon
at the forty-ninth parallel by cOmpronise-
these well-considered instructions to our Min
listers. and often-repeated propositions to the
adverse claimants for a compromise-made
before Spain had released her rights, and re-
peated afterwards were long since exposed 10
, the public eye; and that neither the Peoples
= Representatives in Congress, nor The States,
nor the People themselves, had complained
Al ~
Senators who had been endeavorins to accom-
> fury. No, sir. Until very recently, indeed,
the complaints, when made at all, were aim
f ed at Great Britain for refusing to accept this
reasonable and just compromise of our confilc"
Ting claims. Memorials. when sent at all,
were applications to settle and adjust the con@
t,oversy; and our efforts to legislate over the
subject were confined 10 the valley Of the Co
umbia fver-this side of 49o.
T Well might the President pause, then, not
. withstanding his own Individual opinion that
our title to the whole of Oregon was "clear
: and unquestieuable,' ere he took the respon-
sblity, in view Of all this. Of abruptly putting a
h stop to the negoti ton which he found on foot
e as it had began by his immediate predeces-
h sor. upon a negotiation for a compronise.-
: Well might he feel that the NATION was COM
mitted to compromise. Wei! might he dread
e that, for him to put his personal opinion upon
: the strength Of our poper title. however "clear
h and unquestionable," against all these solemn
e acts Of the Government, and against this con-
current action and acquiscence OF all our Presi-
: dents from Jefferson inclusive, and Of all our
! Statesmen. and of all our Senators, Except
k Mr.. D'Wolf, and ofall our people and their Re.
s personalities for two generailons-conslitn-
II ting, as it were, a NATIONS oPiNloN-would
r be sacrificing the faith, consistency, sincerity,
d and honor Of this country, to preserve the per-
sonal consistency of himself-a single man
: mere POLITICIAN might have halted, but
o STATESMAN could not. He lifted himself above
himself. and showed how we'll he merits the
e office his country has appointed him to fill.
h God grant that he may stand firm to his posi-
ton!
: And what commits" nation but its hon.
/ or! Honor! National honor! But its OBJ
y legations must be fell, and are not topic for
0 argument and debate in an American Senate.
: have imperfectly grouped the facts from our
f own history. Senators must determine ior
e themselves. Appealing to their hearts as
f monitors. ask whether was not justified in
asserting that the President did right in offer
ing the line of AGO as compromise, because the
h. nation was thus committed to it by the past
But the Senator from Illinois Mr.. Breese)
has said the question was "a ne,c one, SO far
as it concerned the President" because he
: had a clear opinion tina: our title was good,
n and gave that opinion before his nomination !;
: and he seems TO think that the Baltimore
{ Convention of the Democratic party had re-
A.! solved this matter out Of the general rule, and
: made il 1ev me 10 this administration
D Strange proposition! Passing strange! OF
e the Baltimore Convention ] shall speak here
: after. And now as to Mr.. Folks opinion
t upon our title. However clear, and whenso-
: ever entertained or expressed, let me say that
= Mr.. Folks opinion, nor the opinions OF the
Baltimore Convention, nor those of the people