Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-04-09

render to Great Britain large portion oil TINS ter
ritory peace-olfering 10 what is now, for the
first time asserted to be arrogant and ground
less demand We have, all at once, become vastly
wiser aud more patriotic than fathers. Consid-
erng the character and the early date Of the Brit
sh claims-considerng the grounds and the nature
of the evidence upon which our respective claims
rest, and considering the manner in which her
claims have always been treated, the concessions
and the offers made-I have hesitation in saying
that we shall find less justification in now treating
her claims as a mere arrogant aud groundless pre-
tence, than shall in meeting them and treating
them with serious and respectful consideraon-so
long, at least, she manfess similar disposition
on her part.
Let us suppose that England, being as thorough
" convinced Of the validity OF her title to Oregon
the whole Of it, if you please-as the Baltimore
convention and President Polk are Of ours, should
say TO US We have a clear and incoDtestble right
to the whole the Oregon territory we shall there
fore insist upon the whole Of IL aud although we
have been negotiating about il for more than TWEEN
ty five years. and made various propositions Of set
clement, and offered you one half of ii, by way OF
compromise, and you have occupied it. in common
with US, all this while, shall now close the door
upon you and give you notice that, at the explra-
ton Of twelve months, you must quit possession
from that time we shall exercise our own exclusive
jurisdiction over the whole Of II we shall no long
er listen TO any terms OF compromise we shall
neither propose nor receive any further offers for
negotiation nor will we submit what consider
clear title in to the decision Of any dsinterested
tribunal all your claims are mere preteee, with
out foundation or shadow Of title. We own the
whole we demand the whole we will take moth
ing short Of the whole and, in so doiR, we claim
only what rightfuily belongs to and if you
choose TO 90 to war with us for taking only what
is our own, we will meet you as best we can. Let
consequences take care Of themselves" This is
very much after the manner we are now addressing
ourselves to England upon this subject and how
think you, we should be likely to regard language
ofthis character by her TO US! | need not say
should regard it and treat it the highest ndgnit
ty which could be offered TO US. II would be met
with a universal response of condemnation, no.
only from the whole American people, but from
every civilized government on earth. No aterna-
tive would be left US but tame aud dishonorabe
submission, an appeal to arms, and to the God Of
Justice, ia vindcation Of our invaded rights and
insulied honor. Her tones OF arrogance and insult
would find response in the united voice of an in-
dignant nations scorn and defiance. Is England
less sensitive in regard to her rights and to her
honor than we are Will she be more likely than
ourselves quietly submit 10 acts Of encroachment
upon her rights, or what she considers 10 be her
rights This is not the character spirit Of the
British Government. This is not the character or
spirit Of any civilized government earth. What.
ever act on her part touching this converted ques-
ton we should regard as offensive and hostile and
as affording Just provocation and cause for war,
will on our part be precisely so regarded by her.
Who will venture TO say we should declare war
against England, or consider it as inst cause for
war, in case she should give us notice for the alb
rogaton Of the joint convention, and should assert
her exclusive sovereignty the Oregon terrific
ry and yet that England would not declare war
against US, nor consider it Just cause for war, IN
case we should do the very same thing Is II wise,
then is it patriotic, is it magnanmous on our part,
to address ourselves to England in a tone and man.
which, coming from her, we should so readily
condemn and resent or to do any act which, II
done by her. should regard as offensive and BEL
ligerent Should we not, by such course OF con-
duct, even in a good cause place ourselves in the
wrong before civilized world 2 There is good
old golden rule applicable to the conduct of ma
tions as of individuals Do unto others as We
would that they should do unto you" There is
an honor, glory, moral heroisn, in acting upon
the principles of this rule, which sprang from
the red fields Of blood and carnage.
Mr. Chairman, believing as do that this unfor-
tunate and protracted controversy may yet be ami
cably adjusted believing as do that II is the de-
sire and expectation of the great body of the Anne
rican people that il should be so adjusted, cannot
discharge what deem TO be my duty a represent
tatye upon this floor, looking to the best interests
and highest welfare ofthe country, without enter
ing my most earnest protestations against every
course of action and every course ofremark, which
in my judgment shall tend, in the slightest degree,
TO close the door to such an adjustment, which
shall tend in the slightest degree, to interrupt or
embarrass negotiation and above all, which shall
tend in any degree 10 array the two governments
in hostile collision upon such question. In so do
ing am sustained by the conscious assurance Of
the approval ofthose for whom | am authorized
here TO spesk and TO act How could we ef-
fectually close the door to all further negotiation,
and TO all hope Of an amicable adjustment, than TO
notify England Of our determination, alter the ex-
piration of twelve months to take exclusive posses
sion of the whole Oregon territory? viii she be
in better mood to negotiate by our informing her
that she has no shadow Of claim TO any portion Of
that territory Can we treat with her upon better
terms and render an amicabe settlement more pro-
babe aud more speedy by telling her that she must
/ quit possession and abandon all pretenson of any
title there after one years notice : ! confess II
strikes me very differently. | am not however, I'M
willing 10 vote for notice in some qualified form,
expressing earnest desire still to negotiate set
Element, and giving assurance that il is given with
view to more certain and speedy adjustment.
However much gentlemen are disposed TO decry
aud denounce the course of former administrations,
in offering division of this disputed territory by
the 49th parallel Of latitude, and however they may
denounce those who would now acquesce in such
division fair and honorable settlement, trust
the friends Of the present Administration will spare
il their denunciations for having made the Of
fer, Notwithstanding the extreme pretensons and
lofty assertions Of the inaugural. Who doubts but
if that offer had been accepted it would have recey-
ed the appreciation of the great body Of the Amerl'
can DeODle of all DaFtiea1 Instead of be-