The Arkansas banner., 1846-01-28
WASHINGTON ooRaaspoEToEl

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4th 1916. T 10 hc Editor of tte .artansas Banner. 2 The present is perhaps the anost im- portant epoch of our Governmen8 since the z formation of the Constitution. WI have just acquired, without the eflusion of \ drop oi : blood, and in the teeth Of the biuefand de- } termined opposition of Great Britain and France, vast and most valuable accession oi
 erritory-an independent nation, recognised as such abroad, which had achieved its own freedom by its own yalor and patriotism, has voluntarily sought admission into our glori- ous Union, and has been warmly welcomed as sister state. Great Britain, jealous el our rapid accession of territory, population, and wealth, is doubly nccased al this flat tering tribute to the excellence and soundpess of our institutions, paid openly before the world, and accompanied as-lt was by q scornful rejection of her own insiduous prof iers of alliance and support
 We have now joined issue with the ''5Iis- tress of the seas,o on tlIa all important ques- ton of our northwestern boundary-a qaes- ton not so important for the amount of ter ritory claimed, large as t is, and valuable as it may be, nor for the free navigation of its rivers, or the possession of is harbors, as 1t is for the great principle involved on the es- tablishment of which we have more at stake than the value of the whole Pacific coast of north America.
 Within few days the action of both bran- che5 of the National Legislature on this sub feet has been of the most interesting charac- ter. The resolutions proposed by Nr. !lan- negan in the Senate, and those suggested as a substitute, by Mr. Calhoun, may be con. sldered as covering the two extremes of oPin- ion, that can be brought .o any practical re- suits, existing in that body The proposal of these two sets of resolutions fer debate al a. future day, gave rise 10 very interesting discussion in the course of which the pos;~ tions ot several members of the Senate were very clearly defined.
 Several leading Whig Senators have imbi- bed the opinion that the eoUtse of Messrs l llannegan, Cass, Allen, and other prominent leaders who insist upon yind!catlng the right of our country 10 the whole of Oregon up to i 510 40' is dictated by mere measures of par l ty polcy-that they have no idea of war, and depend upon the whig senators in connection l with those Democrats who hold the same opinions with Mr. Calhoun, to step in at the eleventh hour; and avert the consequences oftheir measures. Nothing can be more cee- tain than that those whig Senators who are influenced by such impressions labor mder all entire mistake-a mistake however which may lead to the favourable result of deteffiag them from yexatious interference with the necessary steps to the vindication and main tenance of our mutual honor
 The debate which took place in the House of Representatives on Friday last, and which arose from the Bepon of the Military Com nittee for the increase of the army, Was of m equally interesting nature wi,h that in the Senate. To the surprise of many, and the high qualification of all3 the venerable eX-Pre- sident Adans, in a speech, for coolness of judgment, closeness of argument, and lerven- ey of patriotism, worthy of his most Palmy days, declared his unWa9ering determination to uphold our unquestionable right to the whole of Oregon--Ae was followed by other sound and patriotic speakers, and the debate being resumed yesterday, a spirit was eyiGced in .he House which clearly showed the deter mmation of the people exibied through their Representatives, to settle the Oregon boundary question on other principles and with differ ent results than those which characterized the negotiations of the ''treaty of Washing ton,n and terminated in the shameful sulren- der of the Aroostook.
 Whatever may be the result of the discus sions on this great question, your own fair | q. q chiyalry will be vindcated in the National counsels, so that no spot shall stain her un- sullied escutheon. ! ou have at least one i Senator whose name Is SYNONYMOUS with ali that is high-mirded, noble, and chigalrie- whose integrity Of character, holdness in de- bate, and unAinching devotion to democratic i principles, have won him the respect and friendship of all who know him-who aI- ready ranks among the highest in the high body in which he holds his seat Caa name AMBROSE II. SEVER without awakening a sentiment of honorable pride in the heart ol any citizen of Arkansas3 How highly would that sentiment have been exercised ir the bo- som of his constituents could they have heard him as we did a few days since demQiishiaq in his bold intrepid tones, the cold and timid policy of Webster, who would make the gin- dleation of our national honor question ol compromise and negotiation.
 Equally firm, unwayering, true and faith iul to the interests of his constituents, anl alive to everything that may effect the honol of his country is your excellent Represents tie in the other other branch of the Nationa Legislature, ARCHIBALD YELL. man whe untes with talents of high orGar, the riost indelatgable industry, and whose qualified tions have placed him on two of the mos important and laborious committees in tht bod dy to which he belongs.
 Besides the Oregon question the reduction of the Tariff and the establishment of the Sub-ueasury are two great measures tha must be discussed and settled during the pre-. sent session of Congress. Deputations art now here from the custom-houses of N, I. Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore, invited by the Secretary of the Treasury to make explanations of the practical operation of tht present tariff, which is found to be so indef. nite in several respects, that different usages have grown up, and different rates of duties have been exacted on the same articles indif l