The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-26

maj caSu OHif unhcu tOf
those terms which itself desired and because neither
could obtain what il desired, tho negotiation has
been suspended without either proposing or calling
for any other terms on which settlement might
possibly be eiiecied--no intmation of that kind or
anything suggested OF that character, passed between
the parties, and yet the negotiation 10 suspended
The negotiators stand at an lawful pause" and
anxioasly celebrating on the delicate questions
touching the dignity of nations, and how that would
be effected by either speaking the first word Are
we To solve that diplomatic punetllIo by war |
trust not The object Of this resolution Is 10 aseer.
tain whether these taclturn negotators are still
standing on this question Of personal dignity and
etiquette, whilst the two nations are to be
driven headong into war. We desire TO know
whether that state of suspension still costnues--to
know whether this diplomatic question prevents the
negotiation is matter worthy OF our attention, and
well worthy Of the resolution calling for the nfor-
nation. That il the object Of the resolution. |
trust that the Senate will perceive good reason
why II ought not 10 be adopted.
MIR. MOREHEAD said; must say that am
somewhat surprised at the ground ON which the SEN
ator from Ohio is disposed to resist this application
Of my friend from Delaware. IL seems TO me that
for the very reason which he Mr. Allen suggests,
we ought TO have all the information which the Pres
ident of the United States may deem il his duty to
communicate to the Senate. IL il be true, as sug-
gested by the senator from Ohio-and 1 suppose il
20 be so-that the ad ustment Of this question now
rests with the legislative authority Of this country
then most assuredly there can be nothing more pro-
per than that il should have all the information
within the power OF the President to communicate
Are we 10 be called on to dispose Of the destines Of
this great nation, without being fully advised as TO
the proper course TO he pursued Are we 10 be re-
CURED TO take this heavy responsibility Of dispoEing
Of question Of war or peace, when a GALA very
well known and familiar Calls made upon the
President for international call guarded in the or
binary manner, leaving Il TO his discretion either 10
give IT or no2 Are we 10 be told that call Of that
character implies distrust of the President Of the
United States The senator from Ohio deprecates
the moral effect Of that call And what is that
Why the moral effect Of application, such as is
made every dayon the President, to communicate
information to the Senate, il, in his opinion it does
not conflict with with the public interests! Why il
seems to me that nothing can be more proper than
that the Senate should be put in possession Of that
information. IL be Of character not proper to be
communicated, the Senate ought to know the fact.
II proper 10 communicate IL, why withhold IL
Why offer any oppositios to the regular and ordi-
nary mode Of obtaining H. trust, sir, that our
government is not to be administered in such man.
ner that great question Of this sort is to be sub
mtted to the discretion Of one department Of the
government alone. know that the government is not
so constituted. The President ofthe United States is
not to be the sole judge Of the importance Of any in
formation IN his possession, relative TO any subject
on which the Senate is called on to act, and assume
the responsibility of that action. In the present
case, the responsibility has been thrown upon us, as
the senator Mr.. AILESl himself suggests, by the
message of the President IL is therefore peculiarly
fitting that he should communicate to us all the in
formation possible. There is another consideration
independent ofthose suggested by my colleague,
which, so far the members Of the Senate are con-
cerned. is perhaps deserving of mention. A great
deal may turn upon the question whether the nego-
tiaon has closed. A great deal may depend upon
the fact whether on H. oil. la.
submitted Its final proposition for adjustment Ifthey
have and the President Of the United States in an
TO this call shall deem IL his duty to commu-
ncate the information 10 the Senate, may deem il
my duty to stand by the executive department Of
the government; and when this information is COM
municated by him, that the negotiation has been
finally closed, and that the powers given TO the
President by the constitution have been exhausted
by him, new state of the altogether is pre-
scented to this department Of the government. And
il may be in the progress Of events matter OF great
importance that these facts should be known n
not soft the negotiation be still pending-if the
two governments are still interchanging PROPOSE
tons of the adjustment Of this controversy knaw-
ledge of the fact will, doubt not, throw gladden.
ing influence over the whole community; and the
in which will be received by one branch Of
Congress- may have very salutary influence upon
the policy ofthe government, and upon the fate of
the question itself In every point of view them il
proper that this resolution should be sent to the
President ofthe United States.
Mr.. PHELPS here rose and moved that the
Senate proceed to the consideration of the special
order
Mr.. CALHOUN asked for reading of the reso-
luton.
The Clerk read the resolution.
Mr.. PHELPS moved that the subject be passed
by informally, and that the Senate proceed to the
consideration OF the special order
Mr.. CAMERON asked the indulgence of the SEN
n from VermOpt for blo
him to call up bill for the relief of an old soldier
Mr.. PHELPS persisted in his motion; which was
put, and agreed to.
SPECIAL oRDER-"rHE NOTICE"
Mr.. MILLER addressed the Senate He OBJ
served that the discussion which arose there that
morning relative to fixing day when the debate
should be brought TO a close, convinced him that il
would be terminated as speedily as would meet the
convenience OF the Senate and the importance of the
subject. II was not his intention till within few
days TO trouble the Senate with any remarks Of his
but during the course Of that protraced debate it
had assumed so many aspects that he found it al
most impossible to express his real opinions by
vote one way or the other If it were not too seri-
Gus question, it might afford a subject of amuse-
ment to examine the various phases il had assumed
since first submitted to Congress. At one time it
was notice Of war. At another il was said to be
notice of settlement and peace. At one time it
was to put termination to all negotiation. At an
Otner u was the nelp-mate OF negotiations now pend
ing. II varied according to the degree of latitude.
At one time it was to place our boundary line at $40
40, as that by which to stand by, to fight by die
by. At another time il was said to offer help to
the President to settle the basis of Ago. 1t SEEM
ed to fall or rise according TO the position in which
il placed, and, like the mercury in the barome-
ter, to 60 up and down according as gentlemen
placed their fingers on the bulb. When touched by
the warm hands of the senators from Indiana [Mr.
HANSEeAN, from Illinois, [Mr. BREEsE, and
from Ohio, [Mr. ALLEN it Immediately went up
to SAG 40; but when the cool and distinguished sen.
ator from North Carolina put his finger upon il, il
fell as quickly to 400; and thus the same question
was put up and down by different gentlemen in diff.
ferent aspects. The result had been as various as
he had stated. In December last, the President in
discharge Of his high duty, informed Congress that
all attempts to negotiate settle by compromise
had failed, and recommended to Congress to take a
sep--the first in the course of measures assert
our rights to the whole of Oregon. Upon that mes
sage being read the distinguished senator from
Michigan, mir, CAss,l not then in his seat--a gen.
teman Of great experience, and undoubtedly actua-
ted by patriotic feelings felt il incumbent on him to
call the attention of the country at to the means
OF defence and the necessity that exjsed Of nacnc