The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-03-07
THE G A l. E ID o N L A N.

say there il nothing III the Executive cohlinu-
nications 10 show us that the President does
expect a war. He must, then, expect moth
ing but continuance ofthe present dispute,
or a settlement Off by negotiation. But how
is il to be settled? On what terms? On what
basis? All that we hear is, "thc whole OF
Oregon or none" And yet there is to be ne
collation. We cannot conceal from ourselves
or the world the gross inconsistency OF such
conduct. Ii is the spirit of the whole negotl-
ation, on our part, that Oregon is ours; there
is nothing like admitting even doubt, OH the
part of ourselves or others, as to that position;
and yet we are to negotiated! What is nego-
tiation? Docs any gentleman expect that the
Administration are by negotiation, to per-
suade Great Britain TO surrender, the whole
of what she holds in Oregon? They may do
this; cannot say they will not Ii that is
their expectations let them try their hand nj
il; wish them success. That is, wish they
may get ''all Oregon" if we can; but LET our
argument be fair, and letus settle the ques-
ton reasonably.
But do not understand the position we
are placed in. The Executive seems 10 be
for negotiation, but against taking any thing
but the whole of Oregon. What Is TO be the
ground of negotiation? What il the basis on
which it is TO proceed Ifthe Executive has
made up his mind not to treat for less than
the whole, he should say so, and throw HIM
selfat once on the two Houses of Congress.
am entitled to make this remark, because
il cannot be disguised that the probable effect
ofthis notice is viewed very differently by
very intelligent gentlemen, all friends of the
administration, on this floor. The Senator
from Georgia (lr Colquitt) regards II as u
measure tending TO peace; he expects, he
hopes peace from it, aud he thinks the eN-
preston of such opinions MS he ayows will
| =, A., m tho
of the country. There are certain other gem
tlemen, and among them the honorable Sena-
tor from Michigan, (Mr Cass,) who are much
less ardent in their hopes ofpeace. That Sen
ator's impression has been that If we pass
this notice, there h possibility and pros
pect of war; and so, against the gentleman's
own declarations and disavowals, his speech
es generally terminate in the expression that
war il inevitable.
MIR Cass here rose, amid n general smile,
and said, No, much laughter, no; l never
nsed the word; and beg leave TO contradict
the statement. have been afraid of war;
This, allow, has been my position; and
hope | shall neither be misunderstood nor
misrcprescnted. | do not mean To say that
the Senator from Massachusetts, Intends TO
misrcprcsCnt me.
Mr. Webster. Certainly not.
Mr. Cass. What said was, that we were
called upon 10y the President TO give this no.
tee: that five gave il, and there was no ne
! collation., and England did not recedc, and
we wen; on To carry out the other measures
recommended by the President that then war
would be certain. a laugh. will repeat my
position. say five give this notice. ana
there shall he no negotiation; and if England
adheres TO her pretensions, and we go on to
take possession of Oregon while she is there
in posse sion, then there will be---gcntle-
men may use any term they please. Much
merriment.l
Mr. Webster. The only contingency the
Senator fears is that England will continue
her claim Now, would ask the honorable
Senator whether he expects England Will ev-
er surrender all of Oregon TO any Power upon
earth?
MIR Cass have my doubts that she will.
asked, as long ago as in October last, when
she had reIinquished ever any claim to terri
tory she ever had set up.
Mr. Webster. Exactly; and 1t comes TO the
same thing. The gentleman thinks we shall
not rcccdc, and England will not rccede; and
then, what more likely to happen than war;
it was the Senator's argument, and not any
particular expression hc employed, which
gave me the idea that such was his impress
sion. do not charge the gentleman WIN
saving that "war was inevitable" bui What ne
did say yet rings in my ears, and on every re-
turn of the like language, am reminded OF
the sentence with which the Roman Sena-
tor ended all his speeches, ''Detendd est Car
hGgo."
am DESTROYS ofexpressing the sentiment
without wishing to embarrass the Admin
istration; if negotiations are pending L VIII
hold my tongue; my tongue shall be biistered
before I will say anything against our own
title so long as negotiations are pending; but
th, prnsiInuf mn the plDDlrruSSn
under which we stand; am willing to aid
the administration, and | will aid it TO obtain
all to which we are Justly entitled THAT
must know something of the views, eXpecta-
tons, ends, and object ofthe Presidcntin rec
ommending this notice. l cannot much long
or be quiet in the existing posture OF affairs;
when no measures of defence are recommend
ed TO us, but negotiation is held out as likely
to bring the question to n settlement, by Eng
lands giving up the whole matter IN dispute
My doubt of that is as strong as that express
ed by the Senator from Michigan, MIR Cass
| say here, so far as my own knowledge goes
that it is not the judgment of this country
that it is not the Judgment ot'this Senate, that
the Government ofthe United Suites shall
run the hazard ola war for Oregon, by re-
nouncing as no longer fit for consideration
propositions made by ourselves to Great Brit
ain thirty years ago, and repeated again and
again before the world. do not speak OF
any specific propositions, but of the general
, idea, ofthe general plan so justly suggested
by the Senator from Missouri, (Mr Benton,
of separating the interests of British subject:
and American citizens beyond the Rocky
y, Mountains. repeat the assertion that 1t Is
. not the Judgment of this country that we arc
bound to reject our own propositions, made
, over and over again thirty and twenty years
, oro I do mot holiaye that Such iS the luUn