The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-24

ries" | confidently affirm, and | appeal 10 our ne
gotatlons, that at no period Of them has our gov
eminent insisted on a more favorable boundary thai
the 49th parallel of latitude. The convention O
1918 was renewed in 1927, and has been aequiesce
in by every administration 10 the present moment
Now, Mr.. Chairman, when II IL not even alege'
that Great Britain has done any act TO forfeit or t.
impair the rights which, from 1918 to loi5 gu
government has admitted she possesses IN the Ore
gon territory, with what face we, before HEAVIER
and man deny themi Sir, as just peOPle-as
! Christian nalion-we cannot, we dare not.
Sir, as we have been Informed that no honorable
COMPROMISE Of this ancient controversy can be ef
fectcd and have been called upon by the Executive
| to maintain our jus; rights TO this territory, l an
prepared to take my share of the responsibility
My judgment has yielded to the force of the argu
ment which maintains our title to the valley of III,
! Columbia, and am prepared TO assert and To en-
! force It, am unwilling TO surrender 10 Great Brit
ain the country below the 49th parallel and with al
amendment defining that the limit TO which, a
the expiration Of the twelve months, we shall ex
tend our jurisdiction and exclusive possession / all
ready TO vote for the notice.
Mr.. Chairman | see on this floor gentleman
Mr.. ADAMS of advanced age. large experience, anc
great nttainmenls, who was Secretary Of Stale IN
1918, when the treaty Of JOINT occupancy was con
cluded, and chief magistrate Of these States II
1927, when It was renewed. OF that gentleman,
do not intend To speak in terms of personal dis
respect. But, sir, it has been his fortune TO bea
towards this question relation the most mpor
tant and remarkable. His right hand claims the
credit of inserting IN the Florida treaty the clause
on which title TO the Oregon territory Is based
lie has said that the convention of 1918 the al.
Tentative TO instant In 1927, MIR Gallatln in
forms our government that the only reason for the
renewal Of that convention WINS to preserve peace.
That gentleman nox thinks there will not be war,
# we march troops, aller the notice has eX-
pred, and take possession OF the whole country
UnIil the last session Of Congress- he was not pre-
pared TO agree to termination of tho Joint occu-
pancy. Then hIS mind was open to conviction as to
our utle to part Of this territory; now he would
take possession Of the whole When President OF
the United States, he thought equal division of It
with Great Britain was the only equitable partition,
and regretted that her plenlpOtentarss would
not accept it-now he would deny her any part OF
IT. These are rapid and remarkable transitions.
Sir, the country will demand of that gentleman what
has produced this CHANGE What imminent of title,
what fact To eucdae It, that escaped his resear CHI
when conducting our negotiations from 1918 TO
1927, has been discovered by that gentleman to pro-
duce change so sudden and extraordinary Well
nay the people--well may the civilized world in
qure-why this change of policy and poSitioni
Mr.. Chairman in consideration Of the past il not
Of the future-if not calculate the cost of main
tnnng our rghts--We should pause before We
plunge this country into war. We should take
counsel ofour hearts and our conscicnces, whether
tndt war Woulu DC Just, ana IN Just cause. Or
have taken my position. believe it maintains the
honor and the rights of my country, and will com
mand the appreciation of the people. Ii is the COM
promise offered by our government from 1918 TO
ls45. arm unwilling 10 accept less. will not de-
mand more.
Bot, Mr.. Chairman, if it he the determination of
the committee to terminate the treaty of joint
pnncy, with the purpose Of asserting the right OF
domain 10 part to the whole Of the territory OF
Oregon, trust the notice will be couched in those
manly terms which shall manifest our that it is
a right. The treaty provides that it shall be deter
mined at the expiration OF twelve months notice,
and secures each of the high contracting parties
the right TO give it. The notice needs apology;
and submit that it is unmanly and unbccoming to
make one. And | must he permitted to say, that
caanot admire the spuit that would whisper it in the
pitiful pnaver Of preamble" or the whining and
whimPcrng Of a "whsreas."
Mr.. Chairman, my constituents are ever ready
to maintain the rights and defend the honor of their
country. They know nothing OF the people of
whom ara humble, but trust faithful, represen-
ta;ive who suppose they have any unnanly fear
Of war; calamitous and desouting as it ever has
been and ever must be to their interests They APP
peal to the history of their country to bear them
witness that whenever the gallantry and patriotism
Of its citizens have been summoned TO its standard,
they have been the first in the field and the hercest
in the battle.
Sir, the South does earnestly depreca:c war, but
not, as have heard intimated, because she is con-
scious of any element Of weakness danger in her
social system. She fears no domestic disquietude
in war. But much we deprecate war, more do
we deprecate national dishonor and degradation.
And if come from maintaining the rights and
the honor of our country, by the help of Heaven
will meet it, though it drag its victims from every
Preside, and STAY them On every coast and plain,
and height, in this broad confederacy.