The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-03-24


which terminated in the adoption of these con-
ventions. 1T would be hard to pronounce men
| Ike them TO have been unwise or uhpatriotic in.
what they did, or to have been so because Pres-
dent jackson, and others after him. acquiesced for
many years under the operation of the convention
OF 1877, when they could have terminated it at
any Time by giving years notice. have not
named the most prominent individual concerned
In directing these negotiations, because his course
on tins occasion has, in my opinion, cancelled any
previous credit In that connexion 10 which he
would have been otherwise entitled.
such was the state of things at the commence
ment OF the session, when the President recon-
mended notice to be given TO terminate the joint
occupancy and such the position and grounds as
sumed by the several portions of the Senate i'm ref
erence to the notice. Since then, as has been
stated, there has been great change, which has
materially Affected the question of notice, and the
position taken by the different portions of the
body IN reference TO it, as | shall next explain.
Public opinion has had time to develop ITSELF
not only on this, but on the other side of the At
iantlc; and that opinion has pronounced most
audloiy ana clearly IN favor of compromise. The
development has been going on not only in the com
munity. but also in this body and now feel that
hazard nothing in saying, that large majority
OF the Senate is in favor of terminating the con-
troversy by negotiation, and an honorable COM
promise. And what is very material the opinion
OF The British government on the subject of com
promise has been more clearly and specifically de-
Veioped than when the message transmitted
TO Congress much so that there is ground to
hope that 1t is prepared to adjust the difference i'm
reference to the territory substantially on the basis
which was offered by the President 1t seems 10
me impossible that any other construction can be
given to what Sir r. Peel said in reply to
the question put to him by Lord John Russell.
Ills declaration was made under circumstances
calculated TO give it great weight. The object
OF making il was clearly not 10 censure the able
and very faithful representative of Great Britain
In this country, but to the occasion to give as
Surance that he Is ready to make compromise
substantially on the basis of the rejected offer |
trust sincerely that such is the Interpretation which
our government has put upon it ; and that regard
ing 1t as a direct step towards compromise, it has
met II with step on our part, by suitable nstruc-
lions to our minister in that country 1t is 10 be
hoped that communication has already been
transmitted to that effect, which may have the
effect of removing what would seem to be the
only material difficulty in the way of an adjust
ment; that is, which shall make the first stem
towards resuming the negotiation
AS things now stand | no longer consider it as
question, whether the controversy shall be pa
clhcaly arranged or not, nor even in what manner
IL snail be arranged. | regard the arrangement
now simply question of time and do trust that
!
The business of both countries and of commerce
generally, requires that it should be concluded as
promptly as possible. There is still another and
a higher reason why it should be speedily settled
The question is one of momentous and delicate
character, and like all such, should be settled in
order TO avoid adverse contingencies with the least
practicable delay. A further nducement for des
patch in settling the Oregon question is upon il
depends the settlement with Mexico Until the
former is settled, there is but senderprospect that
the latter can be- for so long as the Oregon aues-
ton IS lett open, Mexico will calculate the chan
ces OF rupture between us and Great Britain. in
the event ofwhich she would be prepared to make
common cause against us. But when an end is
put TO any such hope, she will speedily settle her
difference with us. trust that when we come
to settle 1t, we will deal generously with her and
that we will prove ourselves too just and mag
unanimous TO take advantage of her feeble condi.
ton.
1t IS this great change in favor of the prospect
OF settling the controversy in reference TO Oreoon
honorably, by negotiation and compromise which
has occurred since the commencement of the ses-
sion, that has made the great difference in the i'm
portanCe OF the bearing of notice on the question of
peace and war. What then was apparently al
most hopeless, may be now regarded as highly
probable, unless there should be some great mis-
management; but just compromise is more
hopeless, notice becomes more important in its
bearings on the relations of peace and war ; and
on the other hand, just as the chances of com
promise are increased, notice becomes less impor-
tant; and hence its importance at the commence
mens Of the session, and its comparatively little
importance now.
j shall next proceed to inquire what bearing the
increased prospect Of compromise has on the posi-
ton Of the Executive, and that of the several
portions Of this body, in reference to notice and
the Oregon question generally. That it is calcu
lated TO effect materially the position of the Exc
cuiive, must be apparent That he should re-
commend giving notice to terminate the conven
ton Of Joint occupancy Of the territory, with
view Of asserting exclusive sovereignty 10 the
whole, according to his view Of our title, when
there was little or no hope of compromise. is NOT
at all Inconsistent with his being prepared to adj
Just the difference by compromise, substantially ON
the ground offered by himself, now when there
is reasonable prospect it may be effected. Mea-
suTes OF policy are necessarily controlled by cir
curnsiances, and consequently what may be- wise
and expedent under certain circumstances, might
be emlnently unwlse and impolitic under differ
ent circumstances. To persist in acting in the
same way under circumstances essentially differ
eni, would be folly and obstinacy. and not CON
slstency. True consistency, that Of the prudent
and fho ic In ct in pC, Ito,