The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-01-01
WASHINGTON, Dec. 80, 1915.
ImuOrtant Debate-OregOn


Calhoun upon the Oregon question. He defined his
position this morning in the Senate most delightfully."-,
fearessly, and lucdy. An unusually large audi
tory was assembled in the galleries There seems
to be an ntutive perception among the people here,
who are in the habit OF attending the debates IN the
capito-an lntuitlve presentment OF every great oc-
casion great Speech great question, as it comes
up Under some such presentlment the people must
have assembled in the galleries of the Senate to-
day; for surely more important day, a more i'm
portant question, and a greater man upon that ques
ton, were never presented to the public than this
day, than the Oregon question, and Mr.. Calhoun
Mr. HANNEGAN's resolutions, declaring that a SIR
render Of any portion OF the Oregon territory to
foreign power, would be dshonorable and unconsti-
tutonal, coming up In their order, to witt
Resolved, That the country included within the parel.
lels of 42e and 40 north latitude and extending
from tho Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean. known
the territory OF Oregon is the property and part and
parcel Of the United States.
Resolved That there exists power in this Govern
ment to transfer its soil and the allegiance OF its citizens
to the dominion authority control and subsection Of any
foreign Prince, State, or sovereignty.
Resolved That the abandonment or surrender of any
portion OF the Territory Of Oregon would be aban
donment Of the honor the character and the best nte
rests of the American people.
Mr. CALHOUN arose TO address the Senate, and all
eyes frightened, and every beautiful face in the gal
leries looked more beautiful as he arose. There he
stood-in the dignity OF an American statesman, the
conservator of the peace-the advocate OF the Pre-
sident-the defender Of Mr. Buchanan's overture
for the line OF forty-nine As the text OF the re-
marks he should give the Senate, he proposed the
following amendments to Mr.. Hannegan's resou-
tlons:-
Resolved That the President of the United States has
the power, "by and with the advice andconsent Of the
Senate TO make treaties, provided twothirds OF the
Senate present concur.
Resolved That the power Of making treaties embraces
that OF settling and fixing boundaries between the terri
tories and possessions OF the United States and those OF
other powers, in cases Of conflicting claims between
them in &c ss Clear their claims he claims
Of the United staes may be in their opinion to the
country included within the parallels oil 42e and 54e 40,
north latitude and extending from the Rocky Mountains
to the Pacific Ocean, known as the territory Of Oregon
there now exist and have long existed. conflicting
claims the possession of the same between them and
Great Britain the adjustment of which has been fire.
queny the subject OF negotiations between the respec
! tive governments
Resolved therefore, That the President of the United
States has rghtuly the power under the Constitution
"by and with the advice and consent Of the Senate
vded twothirds Of the members present concur to ad.
just by treaty the claims Of the two countries the said
territory BY fixing boundary between their respective
Resolved That the President of tho United States IN
renewing the offer in the spirit Of peace and
to establish the 4sh degree Of north latitude by line
the two countries to the said territory did not abandon
the "honor the character or the best interest Of the
American people, or exceed the power vested in him by
| the Constitution to make treaties"
Mr. CALHOUN, in submitting these resolutions said,
however opposed ne might be to Mr. Hannegans yet he
glad that they had been offered They were at all
events direct, explicit and manly. But they conveyed
imputaton of upon the administration in its
having offered compromise upon the 10th degree
They moreover cut off all negotiations, and rendered
war inevitable. He was in favor Of peace-of peace
full compromise and in this view he approved the late
overture Of the administration, and firmly Of the
opinion that the difficulty would yet be settled to the
ua satisfaction Of the two nations upon the 49h degree
through the agency Of treaty
Mr.. HAssEe.s replied like Trojan. He discaimed
was freeman as well as the Executive, and had the
same right to the expression OF his opinions and sen
the President which he could not sustain Mr. Hannegan
spoke with enthusiasm, with force, and was really clio
quent in standing up for the whole of claim at sll
hazards He referred to the annexation Of Texas in
nection with Oregon question: and spoke Of the
ergy Of the peculiar friends of Texas in securing that
country mediaely and without compromise as con-
trasted with their lukewarmness and indifference about
Oregon. There q dispute about the Texan bounda-
nv but instead OF compromising troops and ships were
sent down to the line of tie Rio del Nore. But
here we are TO have compromise, because, forsooth
there will be
energecay In reference his action upon the Texas
question, he had seized upon the golden opportunity.
forever. II was not with Oregon. Precpitancy, so
far from gaining us every inch of Oregon would wrest
from us the whole Of oregon at least Tor the
but they were two which required different treat
ment Had his advice been followed, "a wise and judi
ton never would have arisen He consdered our ter.
rtoIy Of Oregon valuable the acquisition Of Texas
but Senators disagreed to the means Of securing it,
He approval of the OF the admins
aon and his hopes of the deniive settlement Of this
dispute upon the 49th degree.
Mr.. HAYWOOD, in some general paciicatory remarks,
said that he shoHld presently TO lay all these reso
lutions the table. (Mr. Archer had previously sug
gested the third Monday in January for their regular
discussion in connection with Mr. Aliens resolution for
giving the twelve months notice. Mr.. Haywood said
no would make this notion IL IL only sustained by
his He dsspproved Of any resolutions either
Of csnsure or praise Of the administration on the part
of the Senate
Mr. CALHouS had not expressed any praise OF the Pre-.
sdent-nor censur-d his amendments and his remarks
only intended sustaining the course of the Pres
dent TO the adjustment OF this question.
Mr. ARCHER with evident feelings OF transport, hailed
the attitude of the distinguished and honorable Senator
send the glad tdngs throughout the land that
go for peace will be maintained and that the
danger Of war 10 past
peal for the whole of Oregon or none" Negotiations
at claims had been pronounced irrefrag
it, than could surrender part Of Florida or Virginia
or Massachusetts Besides. the President had recon-
mendcd block-houses- the twelve months notice.the
he had nothing more to expect from negotiation Inc
Senator from South Carolina had said he was friend Of
Oregon He did not doubt IT. But he thought not
the natural mother that would consent to have her child
cut in two, aud the best half given away. The wise
OF Oregon Had we acted promptly In passing the bill
two three years ago. 10000 rihemen from the West
would have formed an army o. oeepson which would
Mr. Hannegan referred to Cuba, Panama, &c, perhaps
influencing the minds OF some senators, to compromise
Mr. CALHous defined his position. lie believed Cuba
best neutral power should be kept in the posses
sion OF Spain He was for compromise upon Oregon,
because would sustain the best interests Of the
try. lie good friend Of Oregon as he was Of
men cDV upon which Senators differed Ths Senator
from Indiana contends that have longer the pow
to ssttIe IL by treaty. (NIr flanagan nodded) Mr.
Calhoun maintained that the treaty power was not yet
exhausted
SIR. ALLrN declined participating directly IN any &C
ton Of the Senate except3upon the de6nve action In
hn not ice N.