The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-18
CoNGRE ssIONAL.
SPEECH OF MR.. YELL,
OF ARKANSAS,

the House Of Representatives, February 7, 1886
On the resolution authorizing the President &c
give the notice for the termination Of the joint oe
eupaney Of the Oregon territory.
Mr.. YELL Obtained the floor and addressed the
kommitee as followsi
Mr.. Y said he had not the vanity to suppose
IL could convince any gentleman Of the COMMITTEES
THAT course they ought to pursue upon thissresi
ueston. lie was satisfied what ought 30 be his
IN. He presumed the opinions Of every gentle
nan Of the House were differently made zap. His
an had been for some time. In fact, IL was 80
hen the question first came M. His mind he'd
ever varied for moment, and happily for him, his
constituents always knew where TO find him.
He was much gratifed that he had for once an
pnporuniiy, at least on one single question, TO
gree with his wing friends. This was 90 political
aesuon, hut one involving national interest and
onor. He rejoiced that gentlemen belonging TO
eh Of the great political parties Of the country had
one out, in the most decisive manner, in favor OF
le proposed notice, and were willing TO adopt the
purse which he considered the only proper and
k.ie one-net that he had confidence that their
curse was correct because he agreed with them.
No doubt on great national question like this they
sOald each decide for themselves, without any re-
ard to what might be the opinion, either Of the
shols House, or Of any particular member Of il.
Nor was ho at all uneasy in finding himself on
hJOccasion in company with the venerable gentle
pan from Massachusetts, over the way, Mr.
AOlN'.l His constituents would not snspeet him
"a political sin on that account. We some
mes fad ourselves with strange bed-fellows; and
questions Of politics, il would be ''prinln Jaeie"
tridenee that he wrong 10 be found voting with
shh him; but he was ready at any time TO take the
tDinon Of that gentleman on a great national ques-
loo, as soon rs soy mans 10 the Union. Other gen.
smen had a right to think as they pleased. His
party attachments and his political integrity were
a. l..
opposed 10 this notice Many decided wings yea
1lsly supported it. He sincerely hoped that this
question would prove great American platform,
pn which oil could find room to stand; he certainly
MAS not inclined TO drive from il all who did not
Exactly agree with him.
Il was question on which the purest democrats
night honorably differ from each Other nor was the
Democracy as intolerant as may be supposed; they
! Id not draw a line on 49o, or $40 4U, and say -
heir fellow-democras, come up to this, or calculate
bn being read out Of your political church. II that
MAS supposed TO be the game, though he was dem
Ocrai "dyed in the WOOL" he greatly feared that
Spon some questions he would stand in danger Of
being read out himself.
In going into an examination Of our title to Ore
ION, (Which was the only question he meant at this
me TO investigate, he intended TO ascertain whether
Oregon spas ours" and when that was settled, he
would agree TO no compromise, either with wing or
democrat with England or any other power. 10
our title was good he would have every foot Of il,
or a tight vr
Mr.. Y said he came from land Of peace, and he
Feprcsented moral and religious people; but they
their country, or sacrificing her honor TO avoid a
WAR
We arc charged with being associated with the
Gentleman from Massachusetts Mr.. ADAMsl as our
eader and his former is reviewed this qucs
|lon As to that venerable gentleman, he required
no defence from him. He was on the latest stage
|ole and would be soon gone from among us, in the
cts of earthly ambition, other than the upright and
conscientious discharge of his duty, and he is fully
competent to defend himself. .. .
The gentleman from South Carolina Mr.. WooD-
vlRpl had said, how was il in 1918, that he Mr.
ADAMS was for letting this question remain in
abeyance, and yet now was as eager for having it
seuledi Why did he not still continue his former
system of ''mc,terIy innefipify?"
!, seemed, then, that the gentleman from South
Carolina was on the same side with the gentleman
from Massachusetts,. In 1927, he continued the
same "iractiriiu', he had advocated in 1873 The
gentleman, however, only went with the venerable
gentleman from Massachusetts as long as that gen.
teman would go with him: soon M he came over
the American side of the question: the gentleman
fell back, and, turning on his former friend, re-
proaches him with going over to the democratic
party
Mr.. WOODWARD here rose to explain, which was
very mperfectly heard by the reporter, Gas was al
so many Of the remarks of Mr.. w. consequent
upon the great confusion and conversation in the
hall. .. ...-....
Mr. YELL continued. The gentleman says that
and he asks why the laws and jurisdiction of the
United States were not extended over Oregon at that
time? The gentleman, to be sure, was too young
al the time to know much about it; but the answer
10 his question il very easy. The laws Of the Uni
ted States were not extended to Oregon, because
there were then no people in the territory for the
laws to operate upon. The gentleman from Mas
,achusets will tell him that the same reason will APP
ply during his administration.
SO far as General Jackson was concerned, there
was no inconsistency. IL the territory had been
peoped at that day to the extent it is, no doubt
he would have taken the same ground as We who
were his warm friends and supporters, now take
This charge, in the circumstances Of the case,
constitute the very reason why the gentleman
from Massachusetts, and why |, go for giving
this notice. Our citizens are there; they need de-
fence; they emigrated there by thousands and they
have a right TO demand our protection. Thousands
more will go. This was not the case in 1928 and
therefore the same necessity did not exist for the
extension Of the laws over the territory. ! leave
the gentleman from Massachusetts and the gentle
man from South Carolina to settle the matter be-
tween themselves. He went as far as General Jack
son did, and Ear all the Presidents before him
had gone; but he is now opposed to this new doc
rine of "mastcrly inactivity"
The first question have to settle with myself, is
!, Oregon ours? BY the treaty Of 1863, between
Great Britain and France, Great Britain abandon
ed all the country west ofthe Winspi river, and
coded il to France She now sets up her claim,
founded on the Nootka Sound convention of 100;
and it is under that convention that she now claims
Oregon; and perhaps it is the most pousibIe--it is
as follows:
Convention between Great Britain and Spain,
commonly called the Nootka treaty, signed 18th
October, 1890.
The principal object ofthis treaty is contained in
tn Sd article; which is "a follows:
Art In order TO strengthen the bonds NJ friendship
and 20 preserve IN nature perfect harmony and good under
mnding between the two contracting parties II IL agreed
mat their respective subjects shall not be disturbed or
tested either In Navigation or In on their fshes
IN the Pacific ocean or In the South seas or In landing
on the coasts OF those seas In places not already
ed for the purpose oil carrying their comn,res uh ts
aafrt' Of the country or OF making settlements therea
&c, &C
uEder that treaty, she acquired no tide TO the
soil, or right to the country, except for commerce
hshing, and hunting, and this was all she then
claimed or desired
Spain receded to France the whole country Yves,
OF the Wnspi, in 1900. In 1903, the United States
became the purchaser Of all the title France thus ac
nNWaI. 40 - IL u.