The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-03-10
CONGRESS-.
LATE FROM WASHINGTON.

LATE FROM WASHINGTON.
On Thursday last there was an attempt
10 get an expression OF opinion, in the Senate,
on the question whether The settlement oil The
Oregon question was n proper subject oil
COMPROMISE Some members were anxious
for the vote in order that il might go out by
the Steamer that left Boston on Sunday
Messrs. Webster, Calhoun, and others, urg-
ed the taking oil the question, but the other
party prevailed on The question, oil adJourn-
men: 10 Monday, as loilows:-
Yeas-Messrs. Allen, Ashley, Atkinson,
Anterior, Bagby, Benton, Breese, Bright
Cameron, Cass, Colquitt, Criltenden, DICK
inson, Dix, Fairfield, flanagan, HAYWOOD,
Jarnagin. Lewis, Morehead, Niles, Pearce:
Semple, Sewer, Simmons, Sturgeon, Fur
nev and Woodbridge.-2S.
Ma1s-Messrs. Archer, Barrow, Berrien,
Calhoun, Chalmers, Thomas Clayton, }. M.
Clayton, Corwin, Davis, Evans, Greene,
Huntington. johnson of Maryland, johnson
of Louisiana, McDuffie, Mangum, Miller,
Pennybacker, Phelps, speight, Upham,
Webster, Westcott, and Yuiee.-24.
Several of the yeas are known to favor
compromise.
In the course of the debate, Mr.. Webster
said:-
"Ceriainly, inasmuch as am citizen of
the country, | claim a right and nothing
more, TO know something of the views, pur-
poses, expectations and objects OF The admin
istration. ] came: reconcile myself 10 be
much longer kept in posture Of things in
which no preparations are made 10 defend
| the country-in which no negotiation is held
oul as that course OF proceeding which is ex-
peeled to bring the question 10 settlement,
and to settle the question by giving us the
whole matter in dispute. Now my doubts
whether we ever arrive at the conclusion are
| quite as deep and as strong as those OF my
| friend from Michigan (Mr. Cass | say,
| for one, that in my opinion il is not the Judg-
| ment ofthis country-it is not the judgment
| oflhe Senate-that the government oil the
| United States should run the hazard OF d
war for Oregon, by rcnounoing as no longer
| fiji for consider alton the proposition Of adj
iustment made by this government thirty
years ago and repeated in the face Of the
world. do not say any specific proposition,
the general idea, the general plan of sepera-
ting the interest of the people who live be-
yond the r ocky Mountains, in the appropri-
ate language used the other day by the menu
from Missouri Mr.. Benton In my opin-
ion il is not the Judgment oil this country that.
at liz hazard of war, we shall now reject as
no longer prnner for our consideration prop
osilions made and repeated thirty-twenty
wears auo. do not believe that that is the
Judgment of the Senate. have the fullest
belief that the proposition OF the honorable
Senator from Georgia, now on your table,
concurs with the sentiment of largeand de-
cided majority of the Senate that's my
Judgment. CA Senator-"two-thrds." A
gentleman near me says two thirds ofthe
Senate. cannot say how that may be; but
say my belief is, that the unequvocal judg-
ment OF the Senate is as have represented
! il; and am willing 10 try it this day, this
hour, this minute. That resolution express
scs the general propriety ofsetlling this cues
ton by adiustmen! and compromise. Gem
promise | can acknowledgements
can comprehend. But negotiation, with a
resolution to take and not 10 give-negotia-
ton, with a resolution not 10 settle, unless we
obtain the whole, is what do not compre-
bend in diplomacy Of matters of govern
ment"
The present condition OF this question is
productive OF the most serious cmbarrass-
ment. 1t is proposed TO remodel the Tariff.
How? To augment duties or TO reduce du-
|
war? If TO reduce-is it in the confirmed
hope of peace? Iwant TO know how any
gentleman in either House OF Congress can
act intelgenily on such subject as that Of
revenue, until he know whether we are TO
have settled peace, or whether we are very
near 10 an outbreak with a powerful foreign
State2 And FIVE look into private affairs,
the evil is equally pressing. Look al the et-
feet on our immense commerce. 1t is easy
for gentlemen 10 say that they regard the
national honor rs of greater consequence
than the national commerce. So DO |. II
the honor of the country be assailed, then, 10
use tt,n.a language Of gentleman in The other
House some years ago, 'Perish commerce!'
But these are not interests VIII which you
can trihe. Surely the American ships that
cover the ocean--Ihe whole OF the stG5oard
the great interests connected with private
life, and every mans daily business and dali
w bread are not 10 be trifled with by diplo-
, matte forms, by the pursuit of objects mol
connected with the substantial interest oil
the country? These are the reasons why
desire an opportunity. as soon as might be
convenient, Of expressing an opinion-ii we
f are 10 express any opinion at all-and to
hear what weight others might please to give
it. fit be thought better not 10 express ar
opinion, then let all amendments be with
drawn, and lei the question of naked notice
be put Let US meet that. That will throw
The responsibility solely on the Executive
Government making ii answerable for the
xeicise of The power it holds 10 the fulles
extent ] am either for taking The question
on the direct resolution for notice. or an
either for taking il in some form-ifw we ex
press an OPTION at all-tfat shall express
The opinion | have intima;ed, and which
believe 10 be according to the judgment o
the country and lie judgment of the Senate
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.