Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-05-07


the standard Of the minister and of the country, has been
the subject Of much libera criticism and unmerited
proach II has been represented that the convention and
the President in spying that title is clear and
questionable have said too much fer that the is
encountered by the English right of joint occupancy for
commercial purposes, and by the English claim TO Ore
gon; he il remembered that upon the footing Of the
focible entry upon Spain, OF which have spoken, and
Of the commercial occupancy. secured by treaty well
also because Of the contiguity of Oregon the British
possessions in America and other peences less formidable
than these. the British government has set up claim TO
Oregon or part thereof / understand the claim be
made all that they get by any Of fraud
force which graspng policy may dictate, without spec
hcatiOn OF metcs and bounds.
Let examine this criticism Of opponents. Give
the assertion Of the convention. reiterated by the Pfes
dent construction sanctioned by common parlance and
what is its scopel Does the holder of fee simple, in
parance, hold his title TO be otherwise than clear
and unquestionabe because il is ncumbered by right Of
way, other pvilegel Does he hold it be other than
clear and unquesonabls because one, without right
sets up claim to i'll Surely not. And yet right Of
way is incumbrance; and claim is a quasi inoum
bance, because it ISLANDERS the title.
It but the other day that in this discussion, the
honorable member from Tennessee, Mr.. BrOwn.1 by a
strange perverson Of the words add meaning of his col
csge Mr. Johnson. represented that colleague having
admitted that the declaration of the President
as to our title Oregon, and his act in offering,
adjustment division of the territory upon latitude 49,
the with the other and that the decla
ration made please the democracy and the done
to please the wings. And by a peculiar, and in a small
way somewhat ingenious adaptation of his
fences, the honorable member Mr.. Brown conrived TO
give the endorsement Of his judgment to this sen
meni, grossly imputed to his colleague Verify this
criticism Of the honorable member smacks much of
the Justices than of the equity FORUM 1t
of the chancellor. What James X Polk shapes his
acts to gather golden opinions among Of the wings
Why, they did not know him. Tkey asked who he was
and "held their manhood cheap" that perfOrce their
great embodiment" soil his nobility by running on
the political with this James X Polk.
Does James X. Polk expect wing pen to write his life
and times Does he, the advocate of State rights, of
strict construction of the constitution and of trade
shackled by aught but taxation absolutely necessary for
and the firm opponent OF bank moDOpOles appeal
laltudnarans, fedeasts protectioniss and bankes
to inscribe his epaph and write his history Sir there
discrepancy between the declarations and of the
President Our title is clear and unquestionable; but it
ncumbered and has been slandered Who recognised
the incumbrancel An Executive belonging to the same
party Of which the honorable gentleman from Tennessee
Mr.. Brownl is distinguished member-a party which,
in power has brought upon country political evil
in twelve wears than the progressive democracy can
remedy in the period; aud which, of power,
occupy their leisure and talents in combining with aboli-
tionists native Americans impnclcabes, and all other
fractions factions and gments defeat popular will
veal. Who sIandered title Oregon, and taught
Great Britain to hope for division thereof President
of the party who offered adjustment favora-
bic Great Britain than that offered by Mr.. Polk. There
is not lawyer in this House but knows the fatal effect
upon his cause, of offer of compromise made by his
client publicly in the courtyard Bad the proposed
compromise may be- he is constrained generally advise
his client repeat the offer. His is slandered So
the President found title TO Oregon sandered by the
offer of partition made by precedent whg admnista-
ton, written down with the pen and published 10 the
world the of the "great embodiment"; and
he constrained TO repeat the Offer
Others have hszarded only ndiscr guesscs but
also bold assertions upon the proposition whether the
President would now will hereafter accede to offer
for adjustment by division of the territory upon latitude
AGO, in a manner, and to extent, which relieves
from all considerations of delcacy in reference speaking
to that point Sir American statesmen have the best
of their ability evisceraed republic of its last dpo-
matte secret on this subject also will guess, lest it be
inferred that have personal movs for being guarded
this subject has been inferred that others
been led by personal motive to indulge in sumises and
declarations upon this delicate topic Prick up your
ears therefore; for the secret understand it, about
to explode.
about to guess. solely my own judgment, and I
pretty that shall guess rightly Tbs President
does not kno7v Uhat he tcH do Like other wise men,
he holds himself up to be controlled by circumstances
and liberty carry the behests of public opinion,
that opinion may be modified By time and circumstances
The last proposition for adjustment By negotiation
mated from side. The next suppose must come
from the British side. OF the President does
know what it will be. When it comes he will consider
of it. Now, sir, know that in this country, public
opinion is the ruling power II therefore become impOr-
tan to consider what public opinion is nO and how it
may probably be modified hereafter The American peo-
pie have right to resolve to undertake in defence
Of that which they assume las they have right to do
to he theirs. and they may compromise disputed rights
without dishonor. Public opinion, as indicated by the
representation in the halls of Congress now would not
Justify for that portion of Oregon between the par
aels of 490 and 81 deg 40 min. The number of those
in this and the other hail. who would undertake such
war; is small indeed. large majority of either branch
a. e 4
latitude 49o in extingushment of the incumbrance and
claim held and made by Great Britain and to the
blessings of peace But there is member of this
or the other house, believe who is not fully prepared
and instructed to all the hazards and disasters of
rather than yield claim to portion of Oregon
south Of latitude 49o Ny constituents of those who
ready undertake for the whole Of Oregon"
will any vote act of mine be adverse to this their
will. They my employers; | am but their agent.
They understood that right all of Oregon
cured by the election of Mr. Polk and the people
generally understood the matter. understood all of
Oregon to be Of the issues of 1874. But now
eArnno doubt ruly-that the resolutions of the Balti-
Convention understood in other portions
Of the country, we'll in the North and East in the
South. have of knowing whether not the
President would accede proposition from the Brit
sh side Of the tenor with that heretofore made by
himself But it is certainly that the British govern
ment has right to suppose that he would do and if
that government desires peace offer for adjustment
upon the basis of 49' boundary, WILL in due time,
emana,e from it. II such proposition be made, the
President will consider Of it. Public opinion, now
developed in this and the other hail. would sustain him in
acceding such proposition, and would not sustain him
in a for 81 deg 40 mn, he having it in his power
adjust upon latitude 40 deg. The British minister has
of taking knowledge of public opinion here and
if he be as wise man he is gentlemanlke and good
looking one he will foresee that if his government desires
peace, and nearly half of Oregon to ITSELF the
offer heretofore repeatedly made from sde must be
acceded to by the British side during the existence of the
Congress in session. For this question is progress
-. Ill. r.,