Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-04-10

the period had come already. 1t lis now here!
-NOW!-TO-DAY!-and he would have
told rs TO prepare for asserting " our clear and
unquest'onobIe title to all Of Oregon" This
ought to have been his language, if such haG
been his meaning. But if, indeed, negotia-
ton was to be pursued to a conclusion in q
spirit of compromise the period for asserting
or abandoning our s. national rights must be
delayed, and cannot he reached until the ne
gotiation is concluded; and if the notice is
I passed, 1t may continue gear. but no longer
| If, therefore, Mr. President, am not most
grievously mistaken in the man and the Off
cer-ifI have not been altogether deceived by
his past conduct and by these " records" the
President has not shut the door to a peacea-
bile and honorable adjustment Of the ORE
CON controversy by a COMPROMISE: but,
with noble reliance upon his own good pur-
poses and just regard for Congress as the
constitutional Interpreters and representatives
of the public will, he has only paused to see
} whether the representatives of the States and
the People will stand by him or not. Stand
ing in the halls Of negotiation, with the door
OF conciIiation as open as before, he blu: Turns
to receive from Congress this law to aid his
progress. He invites their sanction as le-
! gislative body to law for notice to terminate
the existing convention Of 1897. But he
stands there with dignity, moderation, and
discretion, ready to hear his constitutional ad-
a vsers. shonlG they bid him to forbear, and if
that indeed be the will Of the people consti+u-
r tjonally expressed. That is his exact posi-.
: ton as defined by his past conduct, and In no
2 way contradicted by the records fairly inter
e preted. You see what the Presidents posi-
ton is, if understand it. and believe that I
: do. have no fear-no doubt-no dstrnst Of
: him. WHAT WILL NOW BE YOURS9
!, What shall we do?
! If you think the President has done wrong,
e as some of the true friends of Oregon" do,
S and that he has IS committed'' himself to sur
y render too much for honor, compromise, and
i peace-then close the halls of the Senate, and
J! let those Senators meet the responsibility OF
It advising him to put an end to negotiation; and
n until you have told him that, and he has obey
j. ed it, do not give him this law - authorize
s. the notice; and then you will be Do1NG-yo-
e Understanding towards call of Oregon or
n none." That course would be manly and
n less than that will not be just to yourselves,
= nor to the President, nor to the country. He
n will then see and understand your position
i tuly, and he will know how to use your no.
J. tce. He will know how to advise you for a
s preparation for consequences. He will un-
d sword, and not as anOllve branch.
10 If you think he has proposed too hHle-and
t. | fear there may be some here who do, altho
ID no one has yet declared so-that more CON
m cession ought 10 be made TO the demands @
re Great Britain than the offered compromise hin
at 49o ; that because the President has not
as and probably may not, make that concession
is it were better to remit both countries to thel
- ancient condition Of perpetual feud and
W join: occupancy under the existing convention
ne of-1627 and that this can-be safely done i
S, full view Of coming events, then it is certa
10 i admit it without hesitation-that the no
IT. tice ought to be REFUSED by You.
a But if this Senate have made up their mind
no that the line of compromise at 400 is substar
e, TALLY all that we ought to yield, or can yield
lat and if they are willing 10 strengthen tbs ar
no of the Executive in his efforts to settle thi
dispute TIL ERE, and by COMPROMISE
ge to preserve the honor and peace of our conr
on try, satisfied as we must be that now or neve
mt is the time to prevent demagogues Of our Ian
'n- from converting this difference into disput
se this negotiation into war-they will the
IN give him what he asks forgive it to hi
Y promptly, confdingly, by passing some so
I'D, Of law for notice, while he stands in his pr
be sent position, that he may terminate the CO.
ny have not decided without just considerable
d of my responsibility, both here and hereafe
be upon the position | shall take. But, aft
ro~ much reflection, long and anxious thought,
rd- conscientious effort to determine the poi
he with Justice to other nations, but with unf5
All tering faithfnlness to the honorable obligation
nit and lasting interests of my own country,
ma have come to the conclusion, as Senator
I 1t the United States, that we cannot, ought NJ
in must not compromise this controversy in al
uct manner very materially different from that
IN which the President. as understand his .
Ind sition and these records. stands himself col
ct' United, and RIGHTLY MITTED; al
as ! shall therefore vote to give him the motto
till and with it all the moral weight of an AME
X. ICAN SENATE's SETTLED OPINION, that if Gre
IF Britain will not. or if she cannot, consent
N, do US justice by yielding her pretensions
Of dominion over the territory below that line
'rm of ago as compromise, then WE VIII
the HAVE TO FIGHT. repeat it, WE MUS
ac- THEN FIGHTFORTT 1T. If my mind had II
lin settled down into determination to conce
ne no more than compromise at Ago, with /
be qualifications already stated, l would vote
use gainst the notice; for without that determir
lin ton of the Senate the notice would have
to moral weight whatever, and be WORTHLESS
'ast worse than worthless, in the negotiation.
to would be temporizing pretence-a speci
all of legislative diplomacy, an empty bravae
pes- of which we have had quite enough alread
d." unsuited to the dignity Of this body or the g
nee witty of the subject, and rather embarassi
ons than helpful to the Administration in purs
ing the negotiation. In word, we onght
the refuse the notice unless there is solemn
od termination to make the compromise line
ust 49o our FIGHTING L1NE-Jit must be
led. But, Mr.. President, there are some otl
t topics that have been introduced into this d
ter tcussion which fell obliged to notice
age have been told that the PEOPLE have de
, he ded this nnestion and all democrats are. re