The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-04-25

The notice ms amended then passed, Ia to
Ain the nays 81 Wings and III Locos, IN
the yeas some 35 Wings and the rest Locos.
Matters and things at Wash
ington.
Correspondence of the Boston Courier.
WAsHINGToN, April II.
THE OREeoN QUESTION IN THE SENATE AMI
House., The proceedings in the Senate yes
terday aud in the House Of Representatives
today, have been equal in interest to almost
any Chat have distinguished this or any Other
Congress. An intense anxiety was nantes
3ed to hear and see the sayings aud dongs of
the closing hours of the session in the Senate
The House adjourned by three o'clock, and
The members Went, almost in body, TO the
senate Chamber. All business was suspen-
dcd, 10 proceed at once TO the consideration of
the main question, and the Senate met an hour
earlier than usual. Mr. Crittenden opened
the debate, and made, what it was supposed
would be, the closing speech. His argument
covered four points. That neither OF the ma
tons had perfect title to the country water
I'd by the Columbia and FraZer's river-that
the territory was question mol Of national
n1n2r hut one ofioint possession and ofprop-
crtv. TO re settled, therefore, like any other
coltroyertet, question, by compromise, nego-
u.
settled by any other :neans-that the terrific
~ in dispute was hot worth war, and that
war would retard the nation n morals, in
wealth. in character, aud in every other way;
that it would be at least n long war, aud iu-
yolve an expenditure beyond all calculations
that the notice had become necessary as n
peaceful measure, and from the fact that the
dominant party had made it u party question,
the effect ofwhich had been to make u divis-
ion ofthe territory necessary, whereas, lift
had not become party question, the terrific
~ in time would have been ours, from the
numbers of our own people who would have
gone there, and with moral and physical
strength that would have given them power
TO assert their superiority over the few, in
comparison, who would have represented the
English government.
All these positions were maintained with
Judgment and pressed upon the Senate with
that captivating eloquence which charms all
hearers. The speech was moderate but ear
nest aud it was apparent to all, that the ques-
ton had been studied, with desire to do that
which was best for the country. The Exec
ntlve and the party, by the course they had
taken, it was said had made it necessary to
give the notice. To give the Executive the
power, was in some measure to lenpin the
dark; but he had asked for it, and such was
the agitarOn of the subj Jet that war was likely
to result from it without the notice, us well as
with ii. The Excitement this side ofthe Rock
Mountains would 30 beyond it to the Ore
gon, where the people Of the TWO nations
would become parties to it, and war would
ensue He therefore would give the power
to the President, and hold him responsible
before God and before men for the manner in
which he exercised il, He trusted that he
would act ms just, reasonable, peace loving
smqn, and he hoped that he would be met in
the same spirit by the English Government.
1t would be a disgrace TO civilization, 10
h Christianity, and to the age, if two nations
should goto war upon question like this.
\ Congress, at least, would be acquitted ofall
Responsibility, ifthe Executive did not meet
itlo question in the spirit of a just, humane,
sand honorable man.
This speech having been closed, Mr. Allen,
sHjih tolerablc show of good temper, but yet
with an apparent disappointment, made "A
Emotion to lay the resolutions which he had
lfepoucd upon the table. The motion pre-
walled by a unanimous vote. The House res
puilons were then brought forward, and Mr.
fwohnsOn of MARYLAND moved those of Mr. Crit |
Fenden as a substitute. The vote was taken, |
Pld the House resolutions were carried, by |
adopting the substitute, 30 to "a. Mr. Allen
became excited at this result, and endeavor-
|ed to entrap the Senators of his own party
'Tho were not as ultra as himself by moving
10 strike out the preamble, and Incorporating
HCne which he had prepared, in the words Of
n lhe message of Mr. Polk, ofDecenber last.
The yeas and nays were demanded, and the |
Ramendmentwas rejected-32 10 %. The SEN
eate also, and by the same vote, refused to
|ss'nEe out the words that the notice should be
gglyen "at the discretion of the President"
willie Chairman ofthe Committee nm Foraigp
violations started up In tempest and whirl- |
wind of passion, to denounce the Senate for
sFhat it had just done. Such raving and
fRlormng, beating of desks, slapping Of hands,
IRnd stamping OBJECT, was never seen this side |
Gpfa lunatic asylum, while the denunciaton
Mas in violation of all rules. Mr. Crittenden
Rpeemed it a proper occasion to rebule the in
Violence ,ofthe Ohio Senator and nine tenths |
ia the Senate, and quite this proportion ofthe
Immense audience, were quite willing to see
Rch unexnmpled impudence punished. Ex-
'Hptlng Mr. Webster's terrible denunciation
E@ Charles ]. IngersolI, there has been moth
rs like this for years and years. upon what
peat hath this our Caesar fed, that he hath
y EoWn so greatw Thus beginning, Mr. Crit
N WIDEN proceeded, until he told the Senator
A Apm Ohio that the time had come when it
N'S necessary to hold up his arrogance, pre-
VISION, presumption and superoiIiousness,
The centemptit deserved;-that he knew
%ther the dlgnities of Senator nor the
tYrteses of a gentleman;-that he had mis-
represented the truth, and perverted all that
%,eWWl been done in the Chamber | feel, said
NF Crlttenden, an irrepressible desire to put
NHn backguardism, whereverI can find it,
|Es4l tell the Senator from Ohio, In the hope
at 1t may be the means of preserving peace /
us, that if he ever again treads upon