Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-03-24

Snres oil policy, without regard 10 change OF cir
cumstances. Their consistency is like Ina, oi a
physician, who, in the treatment OF highly in
| flammatory fever would administer emelics and
calomel, not only at the beginning, but at every
subsequent Stage Of The disease Il is lie con-
sislency ola quack which would be sure to Kill The
patient. The public man who would be consist
| ent in the same way would be but political
quack, and in dangerous cases his prescription
would be not less fatal Il then the Eaecu-
tive is how really in favor Of compromise, not
withstandiDg the strong language used in his
message recommending notice. Of which have
no information that is no; Common TO ALL II ought
not 10 subject him 10 The charge Of inconsistency,
| but should be put down 10 The change OF crcuGn-
stances 10 which have adyerted.
That il is also calculated TO aller the positions
taken by The different portions Of The Senate in
| reference 10 notice, is no less certain; and that
my friends Qor such | will call them,) who go
for the whole Of Oregon, must am sure, feel
10 be the course with them. They cannot, am
confident, have the same interest in notice now,
when there is great reason 10 believe that the
differen ce will be compromised with or without
| notice, as they had when there was no hope of
comprol Mise. It's clear, that under such change
OF circu instances, The reason for sivng the notice
with thei has, in great measure, il not altogether,
ceased, 50 that should not be surprised 10 ind
| their voic cast against il.
But Trust that the change has gone farther,
and lhallhey BY This time begia 10 see thai there
| are some doubts as 10 our title 10 the whole OF
Oregon beiny clear and unquesliona bic. Ii can
mol, al least, be regarded as nnqucslonable after
it has been questioned SO frequently and with
such ability urins this discussion. But il their
opinion remain unchanged AS TO The clearness oil
our title, put il 10 them whether there is moi
some Difference due TO The opinion of the great
majority Of the Senate who entertain different
vews2 lstbere mot something due 10 The fact
that the majority even Of their own political
friends, whose pair iotsn and intelligence they
cannot regard as interict 10 their own think ia
our lille is not so clear but That a compromise
might he honorably effected To PM sill
stronger question, ask them, as patriots and
the friends Of Oregon, whether The fact itself Of
so great division, even among ourselves, does
not afford strong reason why the controversy
should not be settled by an appeal 10 force a
Are they willing, as wise and patriotic men, de-
sirous of securiD the whole of Oregon, TO place
the country in conflict with so great a power As
| England, when tn. united support and jealous
cooperation of ali would be indispensable 10
support the country in The contest : iappeal 10
them. in the humber character, as party men,
whether they are justif ed in peIsislng 10 push a
course OF policy which, whether il should end in
war or moi must terminate in the division and dis
traction OF their pafly7
1
further, shall conclude what had to say in re-
ference 10 it, By saying, lhNt l. for one, feel and
acknowledge The change. Nothing could have
induced me- 10 vote for notic. in any form, while
there was apparently no hore OF compromise
but now that there is, am disposed 10 do so, il il
should be properly modified.
am thus brough, 10 the question under consi-
deralion TO which all the preceding remarks were
but preliminary-Shall notice be given 10 Great
Britain 10 terminate the convention OF joint occu.
pancY3 After what has been said, few words
will suffice 10 despatch it,
The question is not free from doubt. After a
review OF the whole ground, can discover but
two reasons in favor of giving H. The first is,
TO put an endlo the agitation Of the Oregon ques-
ton, which, without IT, may run into the next
Presidential election, and thereby become more
difficult OF adjustment than ever. The o!her i,
an apprehension that The Government OF Great
Britain may wait Inc final action 4. Congress in
reference TO notice, before il will move on tn.
subject. Were II il mol Tor such apprehension, |
would be disposed 10 postpone notice for The pre-
sent
The next question is, in what form should il
be given, if given al ALI ], for one, can, under
no circumstances, vote for absolute notice, al.
though | admit it would be less dangerous now,
than when recommended by The u essage. can
not consent TO give vote which might be con-
strued 10 imply that there was no hope Of COM
promise, and which might, il given in that form,
leave a doubt in the public mind as 10 the real
opinion OF The Senate in reference 10 compromise.
Nor can vote for notice in The form which
has been sent 10 US from the other House. OBJ
ject 10 i; as equiyocal. II the resolution means
simply 10 declare that The President may settle
The controversy BY compromise, il means nothing,
as The President has that right under the Consti-
tuition, and can neither be clothed nor divesled Of
il by the authority Of Congress. But if il be in
tended as hint 10 him to settle the question BY
negotiation and compromise, object 10 il for not
plainly saying so. am utterly opposed 10 all
equivocalion, or obscure expressions in our pub
lie acls We are bound TO say plainly what We
mean 10 say. five mean negotiation and COM
PROMISE lei US say il distinctly and plainly in
stead of sending 10 the President resolution on
which he may put whatever Interpretation he
pleases.
II we give notice at all, il seems to ne, for the
reasons just stated, il should be substantially as
has been proposed BY the gentleman from Geor-
gia, (Mr. ColQuilt,) which plainly expresses the
desire Of the Senate that il should be settled by
negotiation and compromise. For il am IN
clined TO vote as at present advised but regard
ing notice in all its forms as subordinate 10 set
tlins the controversy without resort 10 arms, |
reserve my decision until | am called upon 10
vote; ami then shall decide in the affirmative or
negative, according as shall judge that one or
the other is best calculated TO advance the end !
have in view.
have thus stated my reasons for supporting a
compromise, and for favoring al present, the
giving of notice have been governed, as 10
both, by the circumstances under which | find
myself placed, but for which am no ways re-
sponsible. am doing The best can, where ]
find myself, and not what would under different
circumstances. So far from being responsible for
the present state o! things, early took my stand
agains, that line Of policy which has placed Us
where we are. refer 10 si3. Then the Oregon
question for the first time assumed dangerous
aspect. After having been long and frequently
brought to The notice oi Congress, without ex-
citing attention, then saw, or thought | saw,
that il was destined al no distant period, TO be-
!. come an absorbing and dangerous question, and
accordingly felt il 10 b. my duty, before decided
on my course in reference 10 il, 10 examine il in
all its bearings with care and deIiberalioa Alter
; much reflection, lcame 10 the conclusion which
| on that occasion explained in speech deliver
ed on the subject. then saw that there were two
distinct lines Of policy which might be pursued:
one was TO adhere 10 the Convention of 1927; op-
p,se every a;emp, 10 annu il, and strictly c5
serve lis provisions saw that although for
lime. the Convention had operated heneiicially
for Great Britain, period was al hand when
our turn would come 10 enjoy lis benefits It's
operation had, heretofore, thrown inlo her
hands the whole luT-'rade OF the region; and
we had stood, while she reared the rich
harvest, when il WAS in our power at any
time 10 annul the convention BY giving the year's
notice. But saw thar our orbearance would
be compensated by the advantages which the
convention WAS about TO confer on us, if we
should have the wisdom to adopt the proper line
OF policy 10 secure them. The increase Of orr
population, and its progress westward were rapid
ly extending our settlements towards the Rocky
mountains, through which pass had been dis.
covered but a few years before, which greatly in.
creased the facility ofcooniziDg The territory.
In this state Of things, it was clear 10 my mind,
that If we adhered 10 The convention and respect.
ed its provisions, the progress ofevenls would ul-
,ima,ely give us possession Of The whole terrific
ry, as our power 10 settle the territory, and there
BY obtain possession, far greater Than that Of
Great Britain. Its distance from us was far less,
and The approach was through an open, grassy
country, affording great facilities to The active