Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-01-08
Z. tie Ediisr. 81 a. IpAis,


y 'ha, could beal ,heso great, and powerful
tons the globe, sufficient existed but which
ten times moro horrible when II shall result from
wantonness madness Of political radesmcn. my heart
beat with unbounded pleasure taking up, for the rst
me last night paper OF the 2nd inst and my eye
rested on brief editorial beginning as lolows
"Bettsr prospects Of Peace"
ave congratulate the country the improved prospect
for the preservation oS peace. IL be acknow-
lodged generally that the ground taken by Mr. Calhoun on
Tuesday is decisive" and so forth.
Well, naturally hurried the paper in search of the
column referred in the after psri ascertain what wa.
the ground taken by Mr.. Calhoun that settle this
much veSed Oregon question and give harmony the civil
med world and presently found it. before looking to
the resolutions he had offered my eye over the debate
they had oceasioned; first, because OF my impotence to
form just estimate of the Importance that had been
,aehed by the Senate to the proposition he have sub
med and secondly, because could we'll undersa
how proposition from Mr. Calhoun. who certainly
heads very considerable formidable party the ooun-
Try, and who believe is held responsible of opn
ions principles he advance beyond the duration Of
a single moon, 10 work out desirable, but at the
same time, extraordinary effect.
But could not fad that any member of that body,
Mr.. Archer. had put such a construction on their i'm
port your remarks had led TO anticipate Yet when
read his views reported in the proceedings OF the Sc
nNe,l could not help circulating Now indeed rrea,
former errors, and however snis atuas Ike his previous
career for one will hereafter hail him a Patriot" ami
deiverer oi his codnty Mr. Calhoun has thrown off nj
last all party shackes has risen superior to the consider,
ton OF whether IT will tenure 10 his benefit and
struck Tor his country Content with pundering Mexico
he will not attempt to rob Great Britain; content with
scizng that, which fell prey will not venture 10
Involve the world m arms To secure barren worthless
and inh sPiiable Of couny that must prove disastrous
to our institutions, if should obtain and settle it,
How could say less Mcssrs Editors ON reading your
: quoted nd he Il A.,
cher
" MIR. Archer supported the moton-thaaked Mr. Cal
houn for the high and honorable position he had
and congratulate the country that clad diacs rou
Be rated on the piHgs Of 10 the four quarters Of
the globe.
But Judge. Mr.. Plessans OF my modification and dis.
appointment, when turning the Resolutions them
Selves found the first four mainly OF few com
place undispued uisms, the functions and ox
tent of the powers of the Executive and Senate IN form
ing treaties aud the last bolster up ms own cpns
tsncy whilst acting m the character of negoato They
ran thus:
ls' Resolved That the President Of the United States
has the by aud with the advice consent Of the
Senate II make treaties provided thirds the Senate
concur.
Well, thinks |, thai don't settle any boundary question:
secure peace or improve the prospects peace" read
again
%. Resor,d, That the power of making treaties en-
braces that OF fixing and settling boundaries between the
territories and possessions Of the United States and those Of
other powers. oil conflicting aims between them
III reference u the same.
Well thinSs /. that don't sete any boundary question:
secure peace, or improve "he prospects Of peace" But
30. Eesorsd, That however clear their claims in their
opinion the country included between the parallels OF
~ degrees and % deg I0m North etude and extending
from the Rocky Mountains the Pacific Ocean, known as
the territory of Oregon there now exist and have always
existed, conflicting claims the possession OF the same
between aud Great Butain-Ihe adjustment of which
has been the subject O negotiation between the respective
governments.
We'll, thinks |, that don't settle any boundary question:
secure peace nor improve "he prospects OF peace" II
needed ghost tell that school boy knows
1t. But, nothing daunted, | read on
4h Rcsolred That the President Of the United States
mas rghuuly the power, under the Constitution by ard
with the advice and consent Of the Senate provided Two
thirds OF the same concur adjust by treaty the claims Of
the Two governments 10 tue said territory by fixing blun
dary to tho.r pre- ent pos
Well, thinks ], that don't settle any boundary question
peace, Improve the prospects of peace" But
now for the last, though least for like all lovers Of
good wine, he has saved the best bottle wind up with
80 on went iu Of nope and confidence, the 9Th and
last resolution, which, b. dash OF goose guiI was
to settle all difficulties, aud give the aching minds
OF patriots snd peace TO the sgated bosoms OF mi lions
and mere could not but pause Tor moment and reflect
those beautiful and impressive words of Ri,heueu
when speaking OF his pen
Behold the arch enehaner' wand itself nothing,
But taking parayz. the Cza
And strike the loud earth bieahess."
And it was be, with the magic pen of the mighty
pescemakeT: and / went to the
9Th Resolved, That the President of the T. s IN re-
establish the ~ deg. OF North latitude line between
the Countries the said territory did not abandon the
honor character, best interests Of the American people
or exceed the powers vested in him by the Constitution
make treaties"
Well, thinks Lis this ain How does this settle any
boundary question, secure peace, Improve the pros
poets OF peacel"
land the paper down, lit my pipe and went to think
ing, and wondered how my friends Archer and Peasants
should rave fallen into so egreg0us error
srue these resolutions into settlement of peace or to look
upon John e. Calhoun peace maker unless was one
OF the Stockton SORT, dispensing mischief, conlson and
destruction to all that followed IN its wake.
al length laid down pipe, took long breath and
m spite ci myself, said What, John Caane Calhoun las
the Globe and Enquirer called HIM the great turber Of
the public peace, whose mischief making propcncs have
brought TINS government TO the verge O dissolution, aud
kept our own family ~ continual agitation disc lrd and
turmoil Tor fifteen years, become settler Of diclItlesl
IVkcto'
Now may be mistaken and it may be. that if all hi.
does not satisfy Great Britain, she rather hard to
please, 10 justly any farther effort our part
To be told by Mr. Calhoun, that Mr. Polk did ex.
ceed his powers and did not abandon the integrity Of
country, by submitting at time, proposition 10 vide
the territory by the 49h deg may appear plain enough To
some, as carrying with il sufficient appease
the aroused anger and Indignation Of the British govern
meni, occ5sDned by the mpuient and bullying tone of
our Executive and i's mouth piece being suddenly
Unexpectedly, and undeservedly transferred positions
a nature did not design them occupy, have seemed
know nothing VI the dignity, courtesy and decency that
should regulate intercourse bctwee nations as plain
aud simple minded man. must confess that do not see
how the matter Is mended IN the slightest degree.
Mr. Calhoun does propose to abandon the prcpos-
ferrous claim now sat up by Mr.. Polk the whole of
oregon nr none; he does advise that offer If
the 4Hh oegree should be renewed but himself
with dccIrng that Mr. Polk in renewing the proposition
which he (Mr. Calhoun himself had in the carly
part Oi tho negotiation, and which had been rejected had
not exceeded his pOwers abandoned the dignity chm
racicr, and bcsis interests o the American peDpe Tor If
he bad, Thea 80 had Nh Calhoun and II Mr. Po.k had
been justified IN making this offer then had hs so that
while he strikes blow for Mr. Polk he strikes two for
himsebu not one for his cOuRry; and this like tho e.t
ol the Presidential aspan IN Congress- to which ihsre are
not perhaps less than 300, large aud sma proposes 10
convert the whole county into great political chess
board, aud make Tint winch be thinks mos, likely TO
win the game that VIII "onure ~ he own benefit"
say he does nos propose renew the proposition
to settle the boundary by the i9 degree aud even n he
DID, how would that secure improve the prospects
Of peacc' When hes Great Britain agreed ~ nccop such
the Of dyisiOni Have and again offered 40
and has se not ~ often rejected iH And why b. u TO be
supposed that she would be disposed accept IL now
under the bfnVndD and threats OF hecorng end war