The Columbian fountain., 1846-03-17

j Mr.. Dickinson stated that he had heard now
i for the first time, the report read and he thought
the Senate were relieved from any impu,ation
fully, and that unnecessary severity did not add
to their expurgs,on; besides the galleries was
too broad an exclusion.
Mr.. Benton stated that the resolution was
confined, in the exclusion mentioned, 10 the
part OF the galleries assigned TO the Senate re-
porteis.
The report was finally concurred in and or
dered to be printed.
Mr.. Spelght moved the special order on Or
egon.
Mr.. Calhoun rose and stated the question
to be, whether the notice to Great Britain to
terminate the Convention at the end Of year
should be given or not. He should con6ne
himself 10 the examination Of that question
and those connected with il without going in
TO any argument as TO title. He would not
speak as 10 title, because he had been concern
ed in negotiations on this subject, and il would
be improper on many accounts.
| All would agree that point had been reach
ed that had much. IL not totally changed the
question since the commencement of the ses-
sion. as TO its involving peace or war. Now
il is of minor importance. The reasons as.
signed in the Message are no longer appli
cable. The Recommendation in the message
was founded on supposition that comprom-
Use was impossible yet he admitted that the
President had then grounds for supposing that
no compromise could be effected He had Of
fered the 49th parallel and il had been rejected
by Great Britain.
Other senators, who went for the whole Of
Oregon on the grounds that our title was good,
were prepared to say that resort to arms was
better than to take less than the whole. This
he concluded to be their position, or had been
Mr.. G. proceeded in placing the opinions Of
other senators and propositions in q lucid
view--condensed in one tableau and relieved
from all the unnecessary false reflections that
have been raised around it.
He considered that il was no longer ques-
ton whether this dispute would lead to war
meaning that it would be settled peaceably--it
was now only question of time. So long
as the probabilities Of peaceful termination
Of negotiations prevail, the necessities for the
notice decrease. 1t is important that it be set
tied soon; for we shall not be able to settle
our difficulties with Mexico until this is ter
minated amicably; for Mexico will watch the
progress of this question; and il war comes
from it she will avail herself Of the advantage
her geographical position gives her.
He said that some persons thought that wis
dom consisted in never changing ones meas
change We were like physicians in some re-
scian who, in case of scarlet fever, should
prescribe emetcs and calomel at the COM
mencement and emeiics and calomel 10 the
close.
He thought that Senators themselves begin
to doubt our title to all Of Oregon. Ii had been
ably questioned on this floor. After some fur
ther remarks he declared that all the preceding
was preliminary TO his argument whether we
should give the notice or not, and he would
say, that there were but two reasons that pre-
sented themselves TO his mind in favor of CIV
ing the notice. One was that it should be set
tied, SO that the question be not allowed 10 run
into the next Presidential election. The second.
that he was inclined to think that England
would not take her fnal move until this Con-
gress shall have risen There are only these
two points; otherwise the notice should be
postponed. He could not vote the form pro-
posed by the Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations; nor the House resolution and form
of notice, and he briefly stated his objections.
He was opposed to the first named, because
they LETT it doubtful whether we did or did not
intend to adhere 10 the same grounds taken at
the commencement of the session, when the
question presented different aspect. He was
OPpOScu W tic lOiul lOii tuC AiOuSC vi Rcp-
resen,aves. because il was equvocal. The
question of notice or not, was subordinate 10
that of whether the dispute could be settled
hunorably without resort 10 arms. He was
in lavor Of compromise. He did not pretend
that any compromise that could be made
would be the bes, tor this country, or that he
was going for the very best, but the best that
could be done under the circumstances.
He took an extended and enlarged view Of
the situation Of Oregon geographically and re-
latively considered with regard TO England's
connection with it and our own. Ii was OF
would be near to us while il would be the
most distant from England, Of any of her CO.
lonies, New Zealand not excepted. As the
case stood, either could give the nolice that the
joint occupation should cease. He then de-
scribed the progress and force and mighty eff
feels to result from t'maserly inactivity that
phrase that had been so distorted Of ate Inac-
uvhy might be the result Of ignorance or indif
ference; mastery inactivity was correct ap-
probation of causes and operations, and wise
watching of coming events.
He then went into most magnificent expo
sl,ion OF the effects Of war with England on
this question. II was a wide and grasping
view OF the subJect--not confined TO details OF
blood and massacre and rapine and the destruc-
ton OF lives and property. He said Oregon
would be forgot in struggle for empire be-