The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-03-05

ernm"nis, each urging and Insisting tn;
! II has The stronger aud better claim, Tn
arguments which have been addressed b
each Government 10 the other, throuc
their d'pIomnIc correspondence, howeve
ingenious and able they may BE-, are new
ertheless rather The ingenious and able ar
guments OF counsel for client, than G
The Judge pronounciug an impartial decis
ion upon the merits OF the case. Thes,
conf cling claims have been the subject @
discussion, o! argument of negotiation, o
mutual propositions Of compromise ane
settlement at different periods and unde
different administrations, representing The
views ard policy OF the two leading diverse
political parties in the country, during
this whole period of time Bolh Govern.
men's have occupied the disputed territory
10 the mean time, 10 a certain extent, and
Tor certain purposes, as they now occupy
1t by virtue OF a conventional agreement.
The direct question which is now pre-
scented to us, and which undertake to say
is prematurely and inconaidera,ely forced
upon the consideration Of the REGULAR
branch of the Legislative Department is,
whether Congress shall direct that uncon-
d'tIonal notice shall forthwith be gwen for
the termination OF the convention of 1927;
and whether, as necessary resulting con
sequence OF such noice, after the abroea-
tlon OF the treaty, we shall assert an ex
elusive claim to the whole of the Oregon
territory, and extend over the whole of it
our own exclusive sovereignty,or whether
we shall leave the controversy still open,
as it now is, Cor further negotiation and
compromise. Whether, in short, in the
popular language OF the advocates of ex~
IRENE measures, we shall adopt as The rule
of our action, "lhe whole or none of Or
egon," snow or never" "war or no
wars" or whether we shall yet endeavor
TO effect an amicable adiuslmen, Of the
controversy, ard at the same time main.
tain the peace and the honor of the coun-
try. The answer within and without this
Hall, judging from recent indications,
would doubtless present some contlariety
OF opinion as 10 the most expedient course
OF action, while all will agree with one ac-
cord, that the dictates OF wisdom and pat
rlo!lsm alike commend US 10 that course
OF action most consonanl with the national
character and dignity, and which shall
best subserve TO vlndlca'e and to maintain
our national interest, our national faith,
our national honor, and. il you please, our
national magnanimitv.
Mr. Chairman. we have been frequently
told that negotiation is at an end that the
door is closed against all compromise, and
cannot be re-opened without national dis.
honor. Sir, | do not so understand H.
/ do not so understand ii from the Execu>
live message. | do not so understand it
from the Secretary of Sale From the
very latest intelligence from England, we
are warranted in saying, it is not so under
stood by the official authorities of lha,
Government. Who, indeed, from any
hing contained in the published official
documents upon this subJec', is authorized
% say, that those to whom is especially
the charge Of .hfs ques ion, re-
gard the controversy as having reached a
1oInt al which The national honor would |
)e compromised by the consideration of
urlher propositions of compromise, or BY
urther efforts for an amicabe settlement
" negotiation, at home or abroad, by
reaty or by albi,rament2 No one, as
ume 10 say, would feel himself authorrz>
ID or justified in making such decara-
ion. How can it be so, While England
every disposition on her part 10
fleet an amicable adjustment? Indeed, we
ave it not only in flying rumors abou, the
OWE, but we have the authoritative stale-
nent Of the chairman of the Committee on
'oreign Affairs, (Mr G. J. INeERsoLL,)
nade but a day or two since, upon this
oor, in answer to an interrogatory pu; to
i'm by my honorable friend from Tennss
ee, (MR GENTRY,) that correspond
uce had very recently taken place be-
"een the official organs of the two Gov
rnmen's relative to this question. | can
ny, for one, sir, that was very happy to
ear 1t. ,
Way, Mr. Chairman, let US ask our .
elves, in all candor and soberness, what is
lis controversy about? What is the ma |
ire and character of it! Does it involve c
ny question OF honor that renders an APP I
cal 10 arms, or challenge to arms, or a |
revocation to arms, necessary 10 its vim a
icalion2 Has our national flag been in Il
lted at home or abroad, by sea or BY t
nd Have the rights Of our ciiizrns c
zen anywhere violated, or has our soil Il
zen anywhere wrong Gu'ly invaded -
les England done anything or even pro- Il
osed TO do anything, incompaib'e with ii
e s;ipuIalons fine joint convenv@n q p
,othing Of the kind, SIR. Ga the contra
7, England still manilests the strongest u
esire 10 maintan, and strengthen, aud Ii
,rpetua'e the friendly relations which ~
Insist between US; and not only so, but o
lie seems cautiousl y to avoid doing my a
ing which would be likely 10 interrupt Y
l.. Al