Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-03-20
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FRIDAY MORNING, MARCH, 20, is4s.
OREGON AND THE BALTIMORE
CONVENTION.

In the course Of the debate in the House
oil Representatives, on Friday last, on
the Harbor bill, an incidental discussion
arose between several membe rs, on the oues.
ton whether the claim to tho Whole of Ore
gon is to be regarded as a party question, on
the authority of the resolution of the Bali.
more Convention. Mr.. Douglass declared
that he considered the Democratic party SOL
EMMY pledged, by the unanimous resolution
OF the Baltimore Convention, 10 stand by 81
degrees 40 minutes, and never to yield one
inch.
In reply TO question whether no consid.
cred Mr.. Polk as having violated that pledge
OF the Baltimore Convention, by the offer of
the 49lh degree, Mr.. Douglass said, tina,
when MIR. Polk came into office. he found
the government committed by previous
offer to divide by the parallel of 40. Tia,
negotiation was now ended, and he, Mr.. D.,
would regard it reasonable proposition to
renew the offer of settlement by that line.
The Oregon question has always troubled
the Locofocos m1re than it has the Wigs
and since the Wings have concluded to let
the Locofocos manage it in their own way,
leaving the responsibility where it belongs,
and not rendering their counsel to an Execu.
tive who gives them no share Of his conf
dence, the embarrassments which ,hcken
around The dominant party have grown more
and more perplexing. The equivocal posi-
ton of the President, and the shifting ground
which he occupied had already alarmed the
war party in the Senate, when Mr.. Hay
woods speech completed the measure of
their apprehension. The provoking manner
in which tho Senator from North Carolina
followed up the subject the next day, and the
imperturbable GOODNESS with which he met the
impetuosity of flanagan, and the fro,hiness
of Allen. raised those beligerent gentlemen
10 the highest pitch Of excitement. Evident
", things are assuming a most interesting
attitude. Mr.. Polk is in a quandary, Mr..
Allen is in rage, and Mr.. Calhoun is fast
getting into crisis.
The speech of Mr.. Hannepan was one Of
The most savage attacks that ever was made,
in the Senate, upon President by a polr,i.
cal friend. Mr.. flanagan said that If the
President entertained the sentiments surib.
"ted to him by Mr.. Haywood, land of this
there does not appear to he much doubt, he
was an "infamous man." and would 'slnk in
an infamy so profound, damnaton so deep,
that the band Of resurrection could never
reach him, he would be a traitor so "su.
perIaiveIy base that he need hope for Meth.
er forgiveness from God nor mercy from
man." All this, If Mr.. Polk consents to &C.
cept the boundary Of the 10Th parallel
Whether he consents to it or not, il is yerv
plain that he is equally entitled TO the de.
nunciation Of Mr.. flanagan; for he certain.
~ has made that offer, since he agreed to the
resolution Of the Baltimore Convention, and
since he declared that our title to Oregon
was clear and unquestionable. Ii is said tina,
Mr.. Hannegaa and Mr.. Allen waited upon
the President Immediately after the scene in
the Senate, and came away just as wise as
they went. Mr.. Calhoun had previously
held an interview with him, and received
such declarations as gave him the hghes,
satisfaction. The Union endeavors, with q
ludicrous gravity, 10 interpose between the
rival factions and to compose the difficulties
which threaten war 10 the knife among the
harmonious democracy. The venerable or.
ganist exhorts them not 10 quarrel in the face
of the wings, who stand ready to take every
f advantage ola disruption in the ranks of the
faithful, and assures them that the Presiden
remains s,eadfas. 10 his expressed opinions
and as he has expressed opinions upon botl
4 sides this certainly ought to be satisfactory
!. The Union declares to the ffiy-four fort,
. men that the President will MAINTAIN The
rights of ,I'e country at every hazard, anc
assures the forty-nine men that no remain.
d sincerely DESTROYS Of an amicablc sett.men
s Of the question; and, again and again exhort,
both sides 10 harmony and peace.
| The truth is, the democrats have 20, NOR,