The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1846-04-03

gon friends will call them, for have no
other than the most friendly feelings 10.
wards Iheml must and do feel that there
has been a change. So long as they
thought that notice was wholly inconsis-
tent with any compromise, they were its
warm and enthusiastic advocates but now,
when they begin 10 discover that, notwith.
standing the giving Of the notice, COM
promise may still be effected, they find
themselves without the same reasons for
their former zeal and shall no, be al all
surprised if, before this question IS finally
put, these very gentlemen shall vote a.
gaInst the notice altogether.
Rut / trust the friends TO whom | allude
have undergone a still further change be.
sides that Of their position. trust they
now begin TO see that there are some
doubts in regard TO our title 10 the whole
of Oregon. That II is unques'Ionable they
cannot now say for it has been question
ed with great ability in their presence on
this floor know, indeed, that their con-
vicllons have been as honest as they have
been strong. But, admitting that our title
seemed to them ever so clear, is not some
thing due TO the changes which have since
taken place Is nothing due TO the fact
that majority even Of their own political
friends think thai our title is not so clear
/ but that compromise may be honorably
effected l. nothing due TO their opinIonl
And does not the mere fact OF such a dIvi-
sion of opinion among men perfectly hon.
est on both sides present the strongest rea.
son why The dispute need no. and ought not
to be decided By force | appeal to these
Senators IS patriots, as wise and prudent
men, to say, when our contest IS with SO
great Power, whether they are willing
TO hazard all for o question on which the
opinions Of good and homes, men oil over
their country are undeniably divided. |
appeal 10 them even as party men, 10 say
whether they will insist on pushing this
question 10 such an extreme as 10 divide
their party.
As to The other portion Of the Senate,
(in which consider myself as lncludcd,)
i is undenable that grea, change has Ia.
ken place. feel II myself. Nothing could
once have induced me 10 consent to the no.
tice recommended by the Presidents but
now il is very possible may give my vote
for a modified notice in some form.
As this brings me now, al length, to the
direct question. Shall We give 10 Great
Britain the notice proposed, or shall We
not The question is not free from doubt
One reason in its favor is, that i, will
prevent the continued agitation oflhIs Ore.
gon question being kept up IN the country
and carried into the next Presidential cleo
ton. The measure Of notice, il properly
qualified, will, | trust, keep all quiet until
the year has expired, and that then there
will be no room for any further difficulty.
Another reason in lis favor is, that in
all probability Great Britain will not make
final move until Congress shall have ac-
led on the subject; so that we should, as
soon as possible, do something 10 the mat
ter. Ii it we're not for the force of this
consideration, | should be for postponlng
the notice for the present.
And now TO the question, in what form
the notice shall be given | will vote, un-
der no circumstances, for a naked absolute
notice. The circumstances Of the case
have greatly changed. We are not in tho
same state Of things which existed when
the Executive message frs, came 10 ; and
| cannot vote under the remotest ImpTes.
sion that there viii be no compromise. If
any gentleman once hoped so, aud would
have gone for the notice under that hope,
that motive has now passed away.
+ Nor can | vote for the resolution which
has been sent US from the House Of Rep.
resentatlves. | have TWO objections to il.
1t Is equlyocal IN lis meaning. Fiji means
TO declare that The Presiden, NAV settle
this difficulty by compromise, it means
nothing, for the President has that right ;
but If It is meant as hint to him to nego-
tate for a compromise, then | am for
speaking more plainly. am most deci.
dedy against all equlvocalion IN matters Of
state policy. Let Us say plainly what we
mean TO say. If We mean compromise, let
US say compromise, and not send the Pres.
ident resolution on which he may put
just any Interpretation that suits him.
If We give this notice at all, | think it
should be given substantially as has been
proposed by the gentleman from Georgia.
II l consent to the notice, ii will be, as
have said, to keep this agitation from run.
nlng into the next Presidential election,
and finally to terminate the question and
II we give II nt uII, let US give it precisely
as we intend, expressing tho opinion that
the difficulty should be settled by compro.
mise. So much feel inclined to vote for.
But this whole measure IS subordinate
to a higher end, viz: the preservation of
peace and the settlement Of our difficulties
without resort 10 arms. My vote in re-
gard TO notice will rest on the question
whether The notice will advance that end
or not. And | shall, therefore, reserve
myself until | shall be satisfied on tina,
point.
have thus stated why am for com.
promise, and how far am 10 favor Of glv-
ing notice. vote on both subjects under
circumstances in which find myself pa
ced, and for which am not in the leas,