Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-09-17
MIR. McLANE,S REPLY.

Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen--It is so DIFF
fcut as almost to discourage the attempt TO
find adequate words in which to make you my
thanks for the sense YOU entertain OF my pub
he services, and for the aatterng terms in
which you nave been pleased t. give il express
sion. Such compliment, proceeding from
such body OF my countrymen, would be an
ample reward for greater merit than can pos
SHY pretend to and will not attempt to dis
ouise the sincere graf fcaion 1t has afioTded me.
Highly as | value it, however, ii gives me plea
sure to acknowledge that, being myself. upon
the occasion TO which you particularly refer,
only an instrument IN assisting the purposes OF
others, the greater share of your appreciation is
due TO those with whom lco-operated.
Omltting for a moment more particular
reference to the conduct and dispositions Of our
own Government, may without improperly,
assure YOU that your reference TO the dist n
guished British statesman by whom the legotla-
ton on the part of that government was directed,
is fully merited, and that upon any occasion of
coEgratulation upon the result, too much
praise cannot be bestowed upon his manly
sense, and unwavering determination TO pro-
mote an amicable settlement OF the question.
| am free at the same time to assure you,
gentlemen, no one can be more sensible of the
country. and especially to those which you so
woTlhily represent. than am OF course,
where the honor Of the country is involved, no
one would stop to count the cost. or estimate
the evils Of war; but it is gratifying evidence
of the age in which we live that the rulers of
States are not afraid to acknowledge that the
national honor is more apt 10 be committed by
has,y and mpractcable demands, than by
wise and timely concessions.
Governments, like ours, especially can rare
" disturb the peace Of the world wthouncur-
ring a weighty responsibility to the cause OF
civilization and human happiness. and. Il not
haZardina their own stability, W thout Ser.ouS-
" impairlng their moral influence,
| certainly could no, have been induced 10
return 10 political lite as the representative q
nv country abroad, unless mad been persua-
ded that, in the crisis to which You have refer
red, the views of my own government had
been entirely consistent with such settlement
Of the Oregon question as ought TO have sect
red an honorable peace, and uul,ss had ELI
tertaned the nope tina; | gut be enabled N
some degree 10 cooperate To tha' end.
For mvseli, after Our several cunv' nuons OF
1918 and ISIS. for the i1in' occ. patton OF tue
territory (Ihe latter which recry, @ my Fplu
as a Senator o' the u. ~tateS.) B nap wA,S
regarded he Oregon question as less "Opens
ant upon the force OF tti' than upon The pan
ciples OF al equitable partition.
It would have been unreasonable to expect.
after such acknowledgements Or the ugn ell
Joint occupancy, that either party won't be
permitted wholly to dispoSSesS the Other. al
least without some regard Ia interests which
had grown up during ihelr mutual possession.
1t appears 10 me also, ,ha. all the previous acts
Of our government had not only been consistent
with, but aihmatory OF this view and could
see nothing IN The national honor thai would
Justify, much less demand, a departure from 4.
Possessing before IN as great degree as alter,
the treaty with Spaln, IN 1919. all tine title
which on lhe ground OF discovery, we colsd
asser, To the country drained hy the waters OF
the Columbia anu which. # good 'or anything,
was valid beyond the go parallel Gtgtee OF iaI-
itudf. our government al no time proroseu
more Northern boundary than the parallel Of
81, and never demanded more than that OF 40.
Having some knowledge from my official po-
stion al tina, time, OF the policy and objects OF
the convention OF 1923. am quite persuaded
that It's man design was TO lead IN luture par
luton OF the territory to the recognition OF our
clam TO the country, mol Norlh, but south OF
the 49lh parallel, and between that ana The
Columbia river A division OF the country
upon that principle, with a reasonable regard
10 rights grown up unGer the JOINT possession,
always appeared TO me TO afford just ana
practicable basis for an amlcabIe and honora-
bic adjustment of the subject such also,
was SATISFIED, were the views or our govern
ment at the time engaged in my recent ms
sion and in earnestly and steadily laboring 10
effect settlement upon thai bass, was but
representing the policy OF my own govern
ment and ia lhfully prouot ne the intentions
ana wishes OF the President.
1t must be very rare il, in complicated dif-
trrr7'ce- ~-.T''es 60 r=---'S, peaceful sSie-