The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-03-05
NATIONAL AFFAIRS.
-..soGDo<..-
SPEECH OF SOLOMON FOOT
OF VERMONT ON THE
OREGON QUESTION.
Delivered in The House of Representatives.,
u. S February &, 1916.

The Committee of the Whole on th
state OF the Union having under consider
alton resolution reported by the Com
mi'tee on Foreign Affairs, entitled " A
resolution of notice to Great Britain 10 an
nul and abrogate the convention between
Great Britain and the Uniled States, o
August 9th 1927, relative TO The country
on the northwest coast of America, west
ward of the Stony Mountains, commonly
called Oregon
Mr. Foo. of Vermont, having obtained
the floor, addressed the committee as fol.
lows:
Mr. CHAIRMAN: 1t has been my mis-
fortune 10 have been copfincd at my Iodg-
lngs by severe indisposilion, for the mosl
part of the time during the progress o.
this debate. know but little of the char
acter and scope OF the discussion, excep,
as have occasionally glanced at the re-
ports. Under these circumstances, can
expect to do little more than 10 travel over
a track already beaten 10 say little more
than has already been often aud better
SAID by gentlemen who have preceded me.
Indeed, under any circumstances, ii would
be llule better than arrogant presumption
in me to essay 10 add any new argument,
or to- give any new Interest 10 question al
Ter it bad undergone so long, SO elaborate,
and so able discussion as the question
now before US has received. IL was my
desire ard my purpose in the ear y part
Of This debate 10 have expressed my views
20 the committee, had moi my attendance
upon the House been interrupted. Feel
ing, as do, the embarrassment Of address.
ing the committee al so late period OF
the discussion, and afer the question under
consideration has called forth the best tai
en, the highest eoquence, the profound
est research, and the ripest experience
upon the floor Of this House, that purpose
would DOW be abandoned but for an i'm
pera've sense Of obligation feel, that, up
on question Of such monenlous and vi.
tai consequences TO the whole and every
part OF our country as involved in the res.
olutlon before US, the State which ia
part represent here, should be heard upon
it, even hough it be through the voice OF
the hunbles of her representatives upon
this floor Much rather would | have
been saved the task, (for il is with the
most extreme and unaffected reluctance
that ever attempt 10 address this House,
and tha, what | trust AID believe to be the |
prevailing opinions and sentiments OF the
people OF that State upon this subject,
should have been expressed by either one
of my more learned and gifted colleagues.
But as it is. Mr. Chairman, must beg the
Indulgence OF The committee while | ven
lure to submit TO their consideration some
general views upon the subject which has
already occupied so much Of their auen,
ion
Allow me 10 say, in the first place, Mr.
Chairman, that do no, propose, in the
lew remarks which my recovering strength
will enable me TO present a, the presen,
line, 10 go into an examination of the
grounds of the respective claims of Great
Britain and the United States to the Or
'gon territory. The time allotted me is
AT the same time TO allow me
o present some other views in connection
with this controversy between the two
Governments as desire to 90. Moreover,
be question of title has been very fully
discussed both here and elsewhere The
esnlt of the best and most impartial ex-
animation have been able 10 give to the
ubjec', upon my own mind is, that both
Governments have certain rights and
:iaims there, not, perhaps very clearly de-
ined; that nei her Government has
Lear or Perfect tile to the whole Of the
Oregon territory that neither can right
uly assert an exclusive claim to the
whole, or extend lis own exclusive
Jurisdiction over the whole OF i,
consistently with the rights and claims
It The her. The question Of tile in con-
rove:sy is peculiarly Of that character,
which renders il eminenl!y il fl! and prop {
r subject for negotiation and compromise.
However we may affect 20 regard our tile {
0 the whole Of Oregon as clear and per- ;
pc', England is doubtless equally ccnviDc |
d that she has the better tile to part of I
hat territory. Not unlike all parties to n
we very readily, and easily,
nd naturally satisfy ourselves that we are {
n the righI, that tho opposing party is in S
he wrong, The controversy in this io~ 4
'ance, MS 10 the question of rlQh', rs TO !
be qn, slon of title, let us bear in MUD is {
OF among ourselves; it is with another d
itty, "lth aoolher Government, which t
ians tiIe against Us 10 cart oil tbs ter t
TORY. TINS controversy has existed Tor {
notc THAI twenty five Yeas. his a qnes i
on Of conflicting title between two Gov /