Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1846-04-15

no senator who does not believe that an
offer made by our governmen,-volunta: ::
riIy made four limes-and extending TO a
point beyond which we have never claim
ed 10 any of our negotiations by an actual
offer we never have proposed TO 60 beyond
AZ 9degrees2 the FIRST offer in 1918 by our
government was 49 desrees-in 1924 it
was the same-in 1926 the same. say,
then, put il 10 the senator's, what would
they think If Great Britain. instead of in
sisling upon her former offer. should re-
fuse to acceed TO lharnow, and come south
OF il? Are we not in this case admonsh-
ed to adhere to the rule, "as We would
that Others should do unto you, do We even
SO unio them!" venture 10 assert the
blood Of every Senator, and Of every clt-
zeus Of the United States would rise 10
leverheat, and the war cry would be in
s,antly raised, if Great Britain were 10
retract her offer, aud insis, on coming fur
.ther south. This is not a mailer OF obii.
CATION. 1. is question Of prudence and
equity between the two nations. ln 1910,
when al the head of the government. and
IN the cabinet were men who had shared
in the perils aud glories Of the revolution
ond the war OF 1912, the first and only
offer made vas 49 degrees. Subsequent
10 that, at various times, the same offer
was made. Now, ask-What new light
hasIbroken in upon US? What new discove-
ry has been made? VIVA, new argument
has been advanced? Upon what princi.
pie can we now offer the British govern
inent. less than we offered then? Is our
claim any clearer? Is that of Grea,
Britain any worse! We stand precisely
where we stood in 1918. All that has
since been done amounts 10 no,hing.-
Where were we then! What were our
rights then! We had right founded
upon discovery and settlement restored to
US by The British, 10 be-sure; but aban
doned by those who had occupied II /
am not sure but there was not single
citizen of ours in Oregon in 1918. Well.
thus we stood; aud in that state of lnc
case, the British being in possession Of
Fraser's river, and various Settlements,
that convention was made. Now, my
oPlnion--lo Ge briefs. that tile claim Of
Great Britain is founded not upon The
Nootka Sound convention. winch gave ner
no right al all, bul rather marred the right
winch she has-but upon tho settlement
on Fraser's river, which happens TO run
precisely on the line of 49 degrees aud
that OF a precisely similar character is The
claim of The United States. Such then is
my view of the lille. And | would now
60 farther aud stale what my view is Of
The possibility OF adjusting this question.
And hope that senators aud representa-
tlves IN Congress, and the people of the
United States will all lake This subject
into the mosl serious and solemn consld-
eraion; for regret TO >be compelled 10
say tnalfi do believe tha, at this very mo-
ment we are in more danger of being in
VOWED IN war upon this miserable question
than we ever have beeu at amy former
period. give my views, and snail be
very happy to hear any arsumentsma akins
the claim of the. Uuited STATES stronger.
Well, then, | ask, taking into view the
course heretofore adopted by our govern
Inent, and The offer repeatedly made. is
there senator-is there any man Of in
telligence-who believes that Great Bri.
tain will ever adjus, this question upon
any basis short Of 49 degrees The hon
orable senator from Arkansas had The can
dor to admit that he did mol think it posi-
Die that Great Britain ever would concede
the title of The United States to "a dee.
4O sec. Then We must mako up our
minds to- settle on the basis of 49 de.
grees, or go 10 war. 1t is distinctly ques-
tIon OF peace or war. and as such it sfould
now be presented to the Senate and peo.
Pile Of the Uui'sd States. The simples,
question is, vii, you sellle this peaceabIy
ana honorably upon the basis of 49 deg.
or Will you go 10 a war which no human
being Knows when aud how il wil iermiu.
ATE! Now | sincerely believe that if
brief view Of this title as il really exists
were presented to the people of the Uni
ted States, and the question were distinct.
Iy asked, Will sou give up all beyond 49
deg, or 60, 10 war with Great Britain?
ninety. nine out Of a hundred would Jecare,
FIX upon the basis of 49 degrees, and
avoid a war; Greal God have been
shocked at the indifference with which
some senator's have spoken of war? If the !
honor Of this country were involvcd-if
its Liberties were in The slightest degree
eudansered-if any disasters growing out
of this question threatened The fortunes of
our free institutions, never should hesi-
tate. at encountering any hazard to avert
the evil. But is there any danger! Is
our national honor in any way involved.
Suppose MIR. Buchanan were To olier TO-
morrow the precise proposition offered by
Mr.. Calhoun--lhe basis Of 49 deg. with
the navigation Of the Columbia, (which
may be valuable to Eugland--is of no
value TO us)-suppose he were 10 make
moi, merely The offer he made ia July or
August last, but the offer made under the
sanction of our government formerly--l
should Ike 10 know how the honor Of The