The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-03-24

cun>tances. Their CONSISTENCY is like that of a
physician, who, In the treatment of highly ipflam-
matory fever. would administer eloe,its aud Gallo
mel, not only at the beginning, but at every sub
sequeu stage of the disease 1t is the consistency
of quack, which would be sure to kill the
patient. The public man who would be consis-
tent IN the same way would be hut a political
quack, and In dangerous cases, prescription would
be not less fatal. If then the Executive is now
really in favor of compromise, notwithstanding the
strong language used in his message recommend
ing notice, of which have no information that is
not common tn all. it ought not To subject him to
abe charge OF inconsistency, but should be put
down to the change of circumstances To which
have adveied.
That it is also calculated to alter the positions
taken by the different portions of the Senate, i'm
reference to notice, Is no less certain and that
my friends (for such | will call them) who 90 for
the whole of Oregon, must, | am sure feel to be
the case with them. They cannot am conf
dent, have the same interest in notice now. when
there is great reason TO believe that the difference
Will bsScomprOmised with without notice. as
they had when there no hope ofcompromise
Ii is clear, that under such change of circum-
stances, tho reason for giving notice with them
has, In great measure if not altogether, ceased ,
so that | should not be surprised to find their
votes cast against it.
But | trust that the change has gone farther,
and that they, by this time, begin to see that
there are some doubts as TO our title 10 the whole
of Oregon being clear and unquestionable 1t
cannot, at least, be regarded as unquestonable
after it has been questioned SO frequently and
with such ability during this discussion But if
their opinion remains unchanged as to the clear
ness OF our title. put it to them whether there
Is not some Difference due TO the opinion of the
great majority of the Senate who entertain differ
ent views! is there not something due to the
fact, that the majority even of their own political
friends, whose patriotism and intelligence they
cannot regard as inferior TO their own, think that
our title is not SO clear but that a compromise
might be honorably effected To put still
stronger question, ask them, as patriots and the
friends OF Oregon, whether the fact itself of so
great division, even among ourselves, does not
aHdrd strong reason why the controversy should
not be settled by an appeal To force? Are they
willing as wise and patriotic men, DESTROYS of
securing the whole of Oregon, to place the coun-
try In conflict with great power as England,
when the united support and jealous co operation
OF all would be indispensable to support the coun-
try in the cOntest2 | appeal to them, in the
humber character, as party men, whether they
are justified in perslstng to push course of poll
cy which, whether it should end in war or not.
must terminate in the division and distraction of
their party?
Without pursuing this branch of the subject
further, shall conclude what had to saw in re-
ference 10 il, by saying that l. for one, feel and
acknowledge the change. Nothing could have
Induced me 10 vote for notice. in any furm, while
there was apparently no hope ofcompromise but
now that there is, | am disposed to do SO, if il
should be properly modified.
l am thus brought to The question under con-
siderailon, to which all the preceding remarks
were hat prellminary-shall notice be given to
Great Britain to terminate the convention of Joint
occupancy After what has been said, few
words will suffice to despatch it,
The question is not free from doubt After
review OF the whole ground | can discover but
two reasons in favor of giving it. The first is, to
put an end to the agitation of the Oregon question
which, without it, may run into the next presi-
dsntal election, and thereby become more diff
cult OF adjustment than ever. The other is the
apprehension, that the government of Great Bri-
tain may wait the final action of Congress in ref
erence to notice before ii will move on the sub
ject. Were 1t not for such apprehension, would
be disposed TO postpone notice for the present
The next question is, in what form should it
be given, if given at all |, for one, can under
no circumstances, vote for absolute notice. al
though admit it would be less dangerous now
that when recommended by The message | can
not consent to give vote which might be con-
strued 10 imply, that there was no hope of com
promise, and which might if given in that FORM
leave doubt in the public mind as to the real
opinion of the Senate in reference to compromise
Nor can vote for notice in The form which
has been sent to us from the other House OBJ
ject to it as equivocaI. If the resolution means
simply TO declare that the President may settle
the controversy by compromise, it means nothing,
as the President has that right under the consti-
tuition, and can neither be clothed nor Invested Of
1t by the authority of Congress. But if it be in
tended as hint to him to settle the question by
negotiation and compromise, object TO it for not
plainly saying so. am utterly opposed to all
equvocalon, or obscure expressions, in our pub
lie acts. We are bound to say plainly what we
mean TO say. If we mean negotiation and com
promise, let Us say it distinctly and plainly, in
stead of sending TO the President resolution on
which he may put whatever Interpretation he
pleases.
If we give the notice at all, it seems to me,
for the reasons just stated, it should be subslan-
tally as has been proposed by the gentleman from
Georgia, Mr.. Colquiit, which plainly expresses
the desire of the Senate that it should be settled
by negotiation and compromise For it / am
inclined to vote, at present advised but re-
garding notice in all its forms as subordinate to
settling the controversy without resort to arms,
| reserve my decision until am called upon to
vote; and then ] shall decide in the affirmative or