The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-04-06
WASHINGTON, April 3, lsAs


The Oregon Controversy-Ln terestiwg land Curious
Complexion Of Afairs.
The important debates in the Senate, for some
days past have engrossed the public attention. The
unequivocal position of Col Benton on the 40th de-
gree, has asounded the men Of the prairies and Of
the great lakes They say if the country is not COM
mitted at the present session, 81 40 will turn the
scale and instruct the great Missouri leader to obey
or resign. With the MAJOR proposition we entirely
concur. The government must be committed, if
the question be not settled at the present session
upon the basis Of 40, the alternative will resolve
itself upon the "whoe or none" There will be-
"No halfway house of diplomatic rest"
The question thus iar, has worked most anomalous
harmonizing Of conflicting elements. Upon the
whole or none" we have the amcable fraternity
and traternal fellowship of Messrs. Adams, Allen
and Giddings; white upon the 49h degree, we have
the equally singular trntarlal company Of Calhoun,
Webster and Benton. Il is question which has
and personal animosties. We could have as soon
anticipated the conjunction OF Sirius and the moon,
as Of Adams and Allen upon question Of COVER
mental policy, significant or Insignificant whether
involving the claim OF fifty dollar pension, the
peace OF the habitable globe But Allen, ultra in all
things is still consistent and Adams eccentric az
q meteor, guided by no attraction, and scorning q
regular orbit, finds himself in the orbit OF radcalism,
the comet itself neither the comet nor the satellite
indicating any possible utility, but difusng, like the
eclipse Of Milton, "a disastrous twilight over half
thShatons," The conjunction OF Webster and Ben
ton is another won Ter OF the times almost az SUPER
natural as the appariton of Hamlet's ghost, in q
morning conversation with the Prince OF Denmark.
There is something absolutely ghostly about it,
I" Par potter betto," cries Webster-and "peace 10
preferable to war;" chimes in Col Benton" Bella,
horrida, bella" shouts Allen, with the lungs of an
earthquake speaking through the larynx OF volca-
no; and "war, horrld war;" echoes Mr.; Adams,
with his feet remulous upon the verge Of eternity,
and his head bald, like the pine upon the mountains
that has weathered the winds Of thousand WIN
tiers. "War is inevitable" cries Cass the whole
or none," cries flanagan; " Let us have il all
you shall drain the dregs to the bottoms" says Mr.:
Glddings, speaking to the South; "Forty-nine,~
says Mr. Calhoun; Forty-nine," says Colonel
Benton and the sound is echoed back from the
bluffs Of the Mlssonr, to the rice fields OF Carolina
and from Bunker Hill to Talladega and the Wyth-
lacoochee. The strong and strengthening voice Of
the Senate to the British PREMIER the British Par
lament, and the British Queen, 10, we offer You
peace upon 49-war if you decline 1t, or decline TO
propose It.
This IL the line that We define,
The line for Oregon;
And IL this basis you decline,
We 60 the whole or none"
We 20 the whole or none, Lord John,
Up to the Russian line;
Then, II you're wise, you'll compromise
On number forty nine.
Mr.. Buchanan is of to Pennsylvania-we expect
him back in time for Mr. McLane's letters BY the
next steamer Negotiations are like a militia COM
pany on drill; they are "as they were" Like game
at chess, they are blocked, and neither party can
make move without the transfer OF figure or
two Meantime, the parties interested in the stakes
are impatient at the Protracted game; and the play
ers must split the difference or there will be meIIs
for the pile.
The decision OF the Senate upon the ssnotice, 10,
we believe, by tact assent, to be held in abeyance
for the next steamer. L may bring something de-
terminate OF the immediate or mediate expediency
of the measure. We shall see. We are ali anxiety.
All expect peace-al expect q settement-all desire
n-bui the inextricabe peccadilloes Of diplomatic
etiquette, the inexpcabe belligerent overtures Of
the organ, and the mysterious importance Of tho
dilemma Of the President, leave US in the servile
position Of troop Of pilgrims awaiting at the door
of an oracle which has ceased toepeak. The priest
ess has been disposessed Of her clairvoyance-the
future cannot be foretold-we must blde our time:
Meantime, we anticipate that Mr.. Pakenham will
receive instructions per next steamer, TO propose
the overture OF Mr.. Adams of 1928, which will in
clude the navigation Of the Columbia. And while
we are confirmed in the opinion that settlement
peaceaby only be effected upon the basis Of the
49th degree, we are strongly assured OF the NAM
tenance Of the peace.