The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1846-06-06
From the London Times May sh.


ninalon of the Oregon Convention OF 1927
have now as we announced yesterday, re-
ieived the sancllon Of The Senate by ma
Orily Of 40 to IA votes. Nine weeks Of
continuous debke may be supposed to have
exhausted the most sturdy powers OF Par
iamentary endurance, and, from tbs Sena-
tors of Massachusetts 10 lha newly arrived
representatives Of the State Of Texas, not
member Of the sedaIe assembly seems 10
have lei this important topic pass in silence
The doubts and difficulties which are com,
monty confined to Cabinet on questions
Of this nature have here been extended 10 a
species Of popular assembly, and sggrava-
ted by publicity and party spirit. But the
result has been the same os if the resolutions
had been introduced by Mr. Polk, and pub"
lie opinion throughout The Union has been
informed and invigoraICd by the debate, In
spite of lhe length of time during which we
have contemplated The approach Ofshls no.
clear certainty Of the result of the
discussion, the unanimiIy which we may
be said to have arrived at in both countries
as to the expedienCy and necessity Of put.
ling an end 10 the doubtful condition Of the
questions and The impotence with which
we desired that this preliminary step should
be taken, 10 order that the defnIiye nego'
tiation might be promptly resumed 1t can
not be doubted that the solemn act of the
American Government which is about TO
assign term TO one OF the most important
territorial conventions existing between
Great Britain and The United States, must
be considerable, and may become a mo.
monous event, In America The debates on
this subject have almost exclusively mo-
nopoized the time Of 'he Legislature and
the attention Of The publ: since the com
mencemenl of lhe session OF Congress. in
This country Parliament aud the nation have
been content 10 wait the course of events
and to leave untouched by premature con-
Toyersy one Of the mos! important functions
Of the Executive Government, and one Of
The highest prerogatves Of the Clown But
spite Of the excessive discussion to which
the Oregon territory has given rise on the
other side Of The Atlantic, and tho extreme
reserve which has hitherto been maintained
on this, there is at bottom the same deep
and earnest hope in both countries that this
question will be amicably settled, and we
trust there is an equal resolution in the goV-
ernments of both countries 10 make every
exerlon, consistent with their true inter
csts and honor TO terminate the Conlro-
yersy.
1t is in that spirit we are willing to re
ceiye Ihe notice for the termination of the
existing convention. 10 this spirit and with
an express recommendation 10 that effect,
The resolutions have been framed and car
rieG through in both houses Of Congress,
and in HE same spirit we DO not doubt that
the negotiation will be forthwith renewed
The alternative is now distinctly indicated
The utmost term TO which the peace of the
world can be prolonged is one tweyemonth|
if indeed circumstances do not bring absur
a much EARLIER rupture, unless the partition
flhe Oregon territory be finally settled
within that period.
Never was heavier responsibility incur.
rec by public men, never was graver ques
ion poised in The balance OF Providence
The provisional agreement under which our
pacific relations with the United States have
'ubsisled for thirty years, is TO be superse-
led by final definition Of our respective
lights upon the northwestern coast Of A
nerica, or to be succeeded by war. The
vessel is already oosoned from the moor
ngs at which she lay in peace. The con,
,entiOn of joint occupancy is virtually end
'di and the desIiUies o'lhese two great ma
ions-if indeed, they can be called twain,
which have so great name, a language
md a freedom in common with each other
are exposed to th5 fluctuations of adverse
nd conflicting claims. The emergency
s doubtless, most serious one, but happily
Or the honor Of this country, it is accom-
anieG by none Of those feelings Of excite
rent among ourselves which have so often
Iho affairs Of the world, and it
'ilI bs met with the deliberate energy of
len as conscious Of our dulles as of our