The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-04-28
SPEECH
MIR. BREESE, OF ILLINOIS,
THE OREGON QUESTION.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 1886.
THE OREGON QUESTION.
DELIVERED


Special Order, being the joint resolution OF the
Cnmmittee on Foreign Relations, proposing to
give notice to Great Britain OF the desire Of the
Government OF the United States to annal and
abrogatethe treaty tor the joint occupancy OF the
Oregon territory, and the resolutions OF Messrs.
Hannegan, Calhoun, and Crittenden, relating q
the same SUBJECT.
Mr. BREKsE, of Illinois, addressed the Senate a.
folows:-
p1Mr PRTslpRNr:-It Is not to be expecte d that
any Senator rising in the present stage of this de-
bate, can throw much additional light on the impor-
tant question before II has been 80 deliberately
discussed, not only in these Halls, but by the public
press throughout the country, that It 10 now scarce
~ possible to invest it with new interest, or urge
topics with which the Senate and the country are
not already familiar 1t had excited, and justly too,
throughout every part OF our widely.extended
Union, the most earnest attention OF the whole
American people. Probably, no question since we
had become nation, had aroused 80 strong an in
terest as this has, and none, probably, mas been
more ably debated. The nation awaits with intense
anxiety the decision of Congress- and the eyes OF
all are now turned to the action OF the Senate: The
Executive has done what belonged to him In the
matter; and the House of Representatives has per-
formed its DUTY. II now only remains tor the Senate
TO perform its duty, by concentrating the action of
both.
is, Mr. President, in view of the great interest
the State from which come has in this question,
and in obedience 10 an everything sense OF duty to
l did not know, cir, until this morning, that the
General Assembly of my State had, at its last ses-
sion adopted the resOlutlOnsju just presented by my
colleague, mr. Semple, anu xead by the Secretary
was aware sir, that two years since, similar reso.
lutions had been adopted and presented here; and
two years since, 1t was my duty and my pleasure,
here in my place, to respond TO them, and to express
the views then entertained Of the subject, and OF
the obligations resting upon Congress to carry out
the wishes of that State, and those OF other States
who had conveyed here, similar expressions OF the
public will. These resolutions, sir, read here at
A,eae sna A0tA
tion had formed to vote for some resolution to an
null and abrogate the conventions of 1878 aud 1927,
and to follow it up, by pressing such other measures
as should place our citizens beyond the Rocky
mountains under the protection Of laws; incor-
perate the country into our Unlon protect the emf
grant on his way to its fertile plains, and pledge to
all who seek them, the honor and faith OF the Gov
eminent that they shall be made secure In their pos
riod within the competency OF the Government to
act consistent with treaty stipulatlons. And can.
not but hope that my conduct IN these regards will
be approved by the state Of illinois, whose VIII ana
In that State, sir, there Is but one opinion; nay,
sir, in the entire Northwest, SO tar as am INFORM
ed, land | have paid much attention to the mancs-
tatIons OF the public mindD there 10 no difference
of opinion upon it. do not think, sir, that any
party or any respectable portion Of any party, Is OPP
posed TO prompt and immediate action by Congress,
to terminate, what all feel and believe to be an In
convenient and lnjudcious relation between this
and foreign country, affecting, as it does, disas-
trousy, many important national interests. They
dre not sir for swise and mastery inactivity =
whatever might have been lts virtue Ia times past,
they think the time has arrived tor action, prompt
and decided and in this, SIR, concur with them
most heartily and with the favor of the Senate,
will give some reasons, briefly as may, for their
do not intend, Mr.. President, to enter upon
discussion OF the relative merits of the various pro-
positions now on your table, by which the first OBJ
iect is sought to be attained will not contrast or
compare them, or attempt to point out the difference
between them; suffice it to say, that my preference
Is for that form which shall in the most direct mah
ner effect the object desired. Nor will / discuss
the important propositions contained fin the resolu
tons OF the Senator OF Indiana, lMr Hannegan,]
or the substitute for them presented by the Senator
of South Carolina, Mr.. Calhoun believing, as
do that ii is unnecessary, at this time, to express
opinion upon them. At present, we have only to do
with the q ne o svn
abrogate convention, the benefits OF which are
wholly upon the side Of Great Britain, and which
stands in the way Of the tree and untrammeled &C
national domain, to which many thousands of our
citizens have pushed their enterprise, but who are
without the efficient protection OF this Government
and its laws.
this subject to 90 into extended and abored dis
cussion Of the title of the United States to the coun
try west OF the Rocky mountains, nor dlate upon
its beauties and advantages, though by no means
q
would desire to restrain Senators, on either side,
from full and free expression OF their opinions
upon the question Of title 1t true, sir, the propr
ETY. Of the notice at this time 10 the only question be-
fore the Senate yet the title necessarily miBgled
with it, and forms an important element in the de-
bate; for il the United States have valid title to
the country covered by the convention, it may well
be commended, notice to terminate 1t would be I'm
polite and unwise. Two years ago, sir, when this
subject was before the Senate, the title was discuss
ed more or less, think, by every speaker; and
what is worthy Of note, not Senator was then
found expressing doubt OF the validity OF the Anne
rican title. Now, alter two years OF investigation
and reflection, do hear, cir, occasionally some
doubts expressed Of its validity. ! entertain none
myself; and il did, should solve them for my
country: Then, SIT, objections were urged against
giving the notice at that time, for the that we
had invited renewal OF negotiations with view
to final adjustment of the controversy, and that
special Envoy, at our instance, had been sent here
by Great Britain to conduct them on her part and
that ii would be dlsc0urteOus at such q moment
and under such circumstances, to give the notice
and it was further said, that at that time and in the
then aspect of affairs, war might be the conseq
OF our action. AT the present session, we have
heard. slr. from the only Senator who has spoken
TO the question on the other side OF the Chamber
[Mr ]. M. Clayton thatthe notice would not lead
TO war but, on the contrary, that 1t would be
preservative OF peace; that II 10 measure tending
10 peace, and important to be gwen as a means Of
preserving that relation between two great and
powerful nations; at the same time giving 1t as his
opinion that the question of title should be discussed
with closed doors-thereby implying, there might
be some obscurity resting upon II, which il would
be prudent not to expose before the world.
As have stated, Mr.. President, do not propose
to 90 at length into the discussion Of our title. After
the yery able arguments of the Senators OF New
York MIR Dix and Mr.. Dickinsonl upon this branch
of the subject, by which the Senate and the coun-
try were so much edited lew days since, for me
to attempt to add to their force and point would be
"wasteful and ridiculous excess" | shall not at
tempt it, cir; and throw myself upon the induL
gence oil the Senate merely Tor the purpose OF pre-
senting some principles OF public law to which they
have not adverted which Great Britain herself has
established this continent, having, as conceive,
direct bearing upon her assumed claims to the
country west OF the Rocky mountains and decisive,
in my judgment, Of the case against her. wish to
show, sir, that she Is esopped by her own voluntary
act, on her own principles from setting up any claim
whai 20 any part OF the territory OF Oregon.