The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-15
THE VOTE OF THE SENATE.


nh, of Congress, has matured fast on this ques-
ton. The chairman Of the Committee OF For
sign Relations, In the Senate, has announced
his intention 70 move TO lay on the table the
resolution Of notice, as reported by thar COM
mitiss, and to AJAX the sense OF the Senate on the
form Of notice adopted in the House. We take up
the pen once more and trust for the last time, on
this question, to record strong and abiding con.
vcton that il is tho best form Of the notice now be-
fore the Senate.
Il is rare, indeed that any great legislative meas
ure comes before a dsliberatiye body standing on
grounds 90 strong both Of principle and Of policy,
and sustained by such weight and volume Of vsri-
Gus authority.
II may be fairly claimed for the notice resolution
ss paced by the House, that il is part and parcel
OF policy on which the people, in the first in
stance, have decided. IL is moreover a meas
ure deliberately approved by the Executive eharg-
ed BY the voice Of the people with all the grave
responsibilities Of the Oregon question. 1t is a
measure which has rallied in its support three
iourths Of the immediate representatives Of the
peopiesod thst, too, almost without distinction Of
pUy--s majority OF both parties in the House
Of Representatives, If we remember rightly, GER
iaBly OF the democratic members, voting in
It's favor. Il is a measure which has been hailed
with scclamation by the masses Of the people, so
far these have had opportunity to speak
out upon IL. Among other instances Of this
popular feeling, we cannot but point out the
recent strong demonstration on this subject Of
the assembled democracy of the city of New
York and Of PhiIadelphia-a quarter where, ifany-
where, some hesitation might have been expected.
And, finally, it isa measure which, if the British
press may be relied on az indicating the British feel
ing, seems, even in England, TO have been held al
once arm, ecien. and, in point Of form, altogether
free from objection. Such is the weight Of authority
and Of endorsement, with which this great national
movement, smanaHag from he people in manner the
most direct and spontaneous, by three-fourths Of
the iuediste sprssectati of the people, with the
full concurrence Of the Executive, now profered for
the approval and ratification Of the representatives
of the Sta,ss Ii iso one Of the strongest appeals to
the esusAs which be found IN The wsels hissory
Of our Iegislation And because we feel the pro-
foundsst rsspsct for the wisdom Of that ilusrious
body, and the deepest confidence in its patriotism
we cherish good hope that such an appeal will not
be made 10 II in vain. -----
And, fthis measure as adopted by the House
shall prevail in the Senste--see its instant effect
1t vniiss at once our whole government, and so far
as such thing il possible, our whole nation too,
this great matter of foreign policy. Can anything
be wiser, more important, more imposing, more safe,
In every highest view of safety, than such union
On the other hand, let the Senate reject this
ure, and with all respect for the Senate, we ask
where are we them Thrown back perhaps again
into indecision, prolonged excitement and re-
terated strogges---at war with ourselves in
council as to the mode in which we shall
claim and vindicate our rights against
foreign power--and all this, too, on question
where the substance andthe principle of our action
are mainly settled, and where we differ almost ex-
clusvsly on point Of form. And yet this formal
difference shall be permitted to dash and perplex
rnaturest councils, to force into collision the diff
ferent branches Of our government, to palsy the
arm of our negotiating power, and to confirm the
heart of our watchfal adversary, gazing with exu-
hton the spectacle of our dsunton, and counting
over our protracted and rene wed and spasmodc eff
forts to understand each other at last on this great
matter, and to fix at length the plan and the pol
icy whicirwe are to pursue. p g.
Can any man doubt which Of these two positions
that of certain union or possible dsunion, as in
volvsd respectively in the adoption or rejection Of
the House resolution--is to be professed and un.
holden by those who have at heart, We will say
rot only the rights and the honor Of the country
but its peace and security as we'll
Andst asobserve again, as of capital consideration
in such matter, the impregnabs ground Of right or
which this measure of the "notoen stanGs Not mar
among 10 hut sees that the continuance of the con
venion is . defeat ofour right Not man but sect
the fitness and the Justice of its termination. Not
man bat secs, that though made for both parties
has enured, and is now enuring almost exclusively
to the benefit of one- And finally, not a man bu
sees thar II ii stands il stands in the very path o.
our advancing legislation, ID stands monument Of
our distracted and hessatng councils, and more thar
this, IL 80 stands before usi,s time Of usefulness il
it ever was useful, wholly past, its mission accom-.
pished, and itself outgrown, and thus condemned
rejected, repudiated, at once by the Executive and
by the people!
Shall, then, this convention no cease aud deter.
mn'' IN accordance with its own 81 ipuls,ions2 Tha
is the main question hanging on the vote by which
the Senate shall adopt or reject the resolution o.
the House lie, that rssolui'ion--6rm, tenn
perNse, peaceful, as j, 10, pree luding nothin,
that the country can sanction, carrying will
no just cause Of offence, violating M
rights, and following out the delil ,era,ely eIecte,
policy Of our negotiating powerlet that resolution
80 sustained and so commended, pa. rs the Senate
and our position and our policy are encsfortb vel
Judged, clear, and commanding. In our fsr,bs
movements, we shall move with mo raj force wbic,
our past negotiations have not known. We sbsI
move in the whole strength of on title, and q,
move with new power, and, as we firmly believe
under better auspices, and to happier issues. A
least we shall have been true to our rights, to on
duties, and to ourselves; and true to these, we can
not be false to our just hopes Of security and o
peace. ...
win an anxious interest, hen which we care no