The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-23
THE DEED OF THE DAY.

THE DEED OF THE DAY.
The capital measure Of this session of Congress
the measure which has fixed upon the deliberations
Of Congress the attention of all Europe-the meas
ure which is destined hereafter to form an epoch in
the history Of the foreign policy of the United
States-ths great measure of wisdom, of frmness,
and Of patriotism, has finished at last its cheguered
career Of legislative trials and vicissudes, and sus-
ained in both houses OF Congress by majorities al
most unprecedented, il now takes It's place on the
statute book the law Of the land. And all things
considered, our statute-book has few brighter pages
In the whole history Of national Legislation, few
acts have been done in higher and worthier spirit
or have ever challenged more powerfully for our
government and our country the respect Of the
world. With one accord we have met great crisis
nobly.
The immense unanimity of both houses Of Con-
gress upon this great question, after the most am
pie and exhaustive discussion, stands a witness
Of the energy and sngleness Of WILL which can, on
great occasions, inspire free governments The
grand purpose which this measure has in view
the peaceful rescue Of remote realm from
foreign OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES that the
"siVlliZation Of popular power" can, to pro-
mote the best interests OF humanity, evoke
from amid all the tumults Of the freest
discussion, a policy az hr'sighted and far
reaching as was ever matured in the gloomy cham
bers OF despotism, to plague mankind. Behold in
this measure, the eye Of the people looking with
watchful regard not alone to present character
and duty but to the highest interests Of the distant
and the future Behold in this measure the consti-
tuition of our country going forth to plant its stand
ard on the shores Of the Peaceful Sea!
1t will be held hereafter an enduring honor to
any administration TO have originated and put into
action the policy in relation to Oregon and towards
Great Britain which this resolution of notice i'm
bodies 1t will be glory enough for any statesman
to bring that policy to pacific and successful close
The statesman who, in the course of events,
has been summoned to meet this crisis, and who
in answer to that summons planted himself calmly,
and firmly, and alone, right in the path, and full be-
fore the face of the advancing domination of Eng
land, finds already rallied up to his high position,
in this vote of Congress, the responsive minds and
hearts of free people II is DEMOCRACY, in serene
and substantial manifestation speaking out its great
swell done' to its faithful servant. "a
And who can doubt in this regard, that the
future will be as the past Who can doubt
that the President-having already taken his
great and difficult "frst step" in this momen-
tous matter with such decided Judgment
having OWNED beforehand with a spirit SO pro-
phetic, the convictions into which the popular
instinct and sentiment would settle-hapg recorded
in Advance in his message the phoe popular idea on
this question, which up to that ii me had found
only imperfect and nartculate utterance--who
can doubt that the President, entering upon
his career thus attended with all the radiant
omens of success, will approve himself through its
whole course, and to its suspicious close true, al
together true, to that deliberate and sober popular
thought which, from the first, he presaged so WE'LL
Who is there now to proclaim distrust of that Ex-
ecutive "discretion" in which-its course and char
acter already indicated-both houses of Congress
have, on the most mature elaboration, in view Of
all our difficulties, and by tn cir "vote of confidence"
reposited for safekeeping the rights, and the dign-
ty, and the peace of the country
The Presidents mess,,ge had put this coun-
try where it never stood. before All Europe ac-
it as one of the great powers-an ac-
never m ade before. In the French
Chamber, and in the English Parliament, it was
proclaimed that this is a nation to be respected.
Give me authority, said the President to Con-
gress, to tell Great Britain firmly, positively, not
rudey. but very plainly, that Oregon must no long
er be distracted by rival jurisdictions. By what the
secret history tells was a lucky accident the ap,
propriatc committee of the popular branchthe Com
mttee on Foreign Reations-orgnally reported a
naked notice. But variety of views and a multi
tude of speeches in the lapse of five months, well
nigh disarmed the Executive, and created serious
apprehensons of the result.
The lofty ground on which the Union
stood in December had threatened to crumble
away by April. All appeared in one moment
to be in danger. Congress would not let the Pres
ident act and could not agree among themselves The
two houses we're in peril Of what TacitGs Justly
called the worst of all public evils--DIscoRp.
The last resort, not Of kings, but of Congress, was
required to Tuesday last, ce rtainly in despon-
dency, almost in despair-viz: Joint committees OF
conference. The esprit dcorps can re in to aggravae
that Of party.
The popular branch on the person lal responsibility
ola single presiding officer, appointed committee
chosen from all parties, all sections of the country,
committed to nothing but the notice.
The Senate refused to let their presiding officer
on his responsibility do likewises but, taking the
power to themselves in all the dffused and debili-
lated responsibility Of secret bal lots, chose three
highly honorable gentlemen, but two Of them com
mued by speeches to certain opin ions.
There were some fears entertai ned about the re
suit. The country, our party, the President
everything at the mercy Of 40 doubt honorable
gentlemen, but welded to judgm ,nts Of their own.
The results of the protrn tied movement o.
Congress are seen in the proc seedlings Of the two
houses Of to-day, which are pu .bshed in our pre-
cedng columns. The reader i'll see the resolution
as it passed He will that he resolutions of tn
Senate were changed as to onvert the first reso-
luton into preamble, with twhereasn thus ma
king it like the preface Of boz H. instead Of the gis