Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1846-02-04

teront periods, and under different oomtnlStfa-
tions, but without success As early as 1918 II
was agreed, that the territory III dispute should
be open ard free the citizens and subjects Of
both countries. In 1927, this agreement was re-
newncd for indefinite period, with stipulation
.hat it might be terminated, by either Govern
ment, giving the other twelve months, notice.
it is proposed by the resolution now before the
House, that shall give the years notice to
Great Britain, required by the joint convention.
to terminate it. question as important as This,
and one which involves consequences to tho coun-
try Of the greatest magnitude, should be viewed
and determined without any reference to party
politics. trust it will be considered. and that
party spirit may be suffered to exercise no lnfiu-
once in its settlement. 1t cannot. however, be
concealed, that efforts havo been nlado to givo It
a party complexion. Previous to 1874, the coun-
try universally acquesced in the propriesy OF
continuing the joint convention with Great Brit
ain. But in the memorable political contest Of
that year. efforts were made to mingle the Orc
gon ques. on with the elements of political strife,
aud to make il subseIvient TO partizan triumph.
The Dcmocr cratic convention, which assembled at
Baltimore in May, 1874. and nominated the pres
ont incumbent of the Presidency as the candidate
Of the Democratic party, presented the questions
Of Texas and Oregon the twin offspring Of De-
mocracy. Our tito to all Of Oregon was asserted,
we'll as tho determination to sustain that title
During the canvass which followed, it will be rec
objected, that an effort was made to creato tho I'M
preston that tho Democrats wore tho peculiar
friends Of Oregon. and that the Wings were in
favor Of surrenderlng portion OF II to Great Brit
ain by negotiation. Mr.. Clay was repeatedly de-
nounced not only through the press. but upon this
floor, because, while Secretary Of State. no had
instructed our minister to0Engand to Offer to
render to Great Britain all Of the Oregon terrific
~ which lies north of the forty ninth parallel of
north latitude compromise, although he be-
lieved title to be good to tho whole country up
to fifty four degrees and forty minutes We all
know the result Of that contest. MIR. Polk was
lected, and it WINS Immediately announced that
the public voice had decided that Texas must be
annexed and that our title to all of Oregon must
be maintained The annexation of Texas
pressed forward it'll hot haste, and its immediate
contamination urged with zeal which would adj
nit Of no delay. That measure having been dis
posed Of, expectation was Of course excited to
the course which was 10 DO pursued by tho in
coming Administration in relation to the Oregon
question. We all rccollect tho sensation which
was produced, not only in this country. but in
Europe, by tho rhetorical flourish of the Presden.
in his Inaugural address, respecting our right to
Oregon. Our titIc was ''clear and unquestionn-
bic and must be maintained, was authoritatively
announced. This manifesto shortly after
olowed by an equally emphatic dcca ra ton Of our
rights, sof the determination Of the Government TO
sustain ,hcm in the ''otficial organ" OF the Ad-
minist ration. heraldcd TO tho world under the i'm
posing caption of ..the whole of Oregon, or none. "
Who for moment could have supposed, that
an Administration. thus coming into power, with
such lofty and high sounding pretensions upon
this question-,hus boarding the British lion in
advance, and denounclng, III terms of vehement
bitterness those who before had offered to concede
a portion Of this territory 10 Great Britain for the
sake Of compromise, would, within tho first
half year Of its existence. offer to concede TO tho
British Government, as large portion Of the Or
econ territory rs had been offered under the IN
.truc,ions of Mr.. Clay who Secretary Of State.
While was canyassing for scat in this House,
during the las! summer. rumor whispered that the
President had offered TO surrender tho country
north Of forty-nnc. The rumor was there most
stou,ly denied by his friends That which
,hon but rumor, family whispered, is now render
ed certainty. The message Of tho President
has officially informed u.s. that he has renewed
the offer Of compromise formerly made, with the
exception Of the free navigation Of tho Columbia
river He has offered to surrender to the British
Government all Of tho territory which lies north
of the forty ninth parallel of north latitude.
Where now the muttering thunders Of Demo-
cratic vengeance which have been profnsely
poured out upon Mr.. Clay for sanctioning q sim
liar offer! Where now are the oft repeated de-
nunciations against British Wings" who would
be willing to surrender any portion Of the Oregon
territory to a foreign government? Tho offer 70
surrender has been made by a Democratic Ad-
Enthusiastically ON Administration brought into
existence under the vaunting resolutions of tho
/ Baltimore convention.
havo not, Mr.. Chairman, referred 10 these
matters for the purpose of denouncing censur-
ing the President for the offer which he has made
to compromise this vexed question. | approve of
that otier md only regret that it has not been
cepted as the basis OF a compromise. The coun-
try r,ay find in tho history Of this question use-
ful lesson. They may learn to place proper cs-
innate upon the self praised patriotism Of those
who have denounced all compromise, and have
charg with par,ialty foreign government
those of our own citizens who have sough: the
means of preserving the peace of the country in
attempts to settle the controversy by fair and hon.
orabo negotiation. This is no; :he first time in
the history Of parties when men have reached
power upon pledges which they found it utterly
impossibIo to carry out. The gentleman from