Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-04-09
SPEECH OF SOLOMON FOOT,
OF Vermont, on the
OREGON QUESTION.
DELIVERED IN the U. S. House OF REPREsEN-
TATIvEs, FEBRUARY 6, 1916


DELIVERED IN THE U. S. House OF REPREsEN-
TATIvEs, FEBRUARY 9, 1916.
The Committee Of the Whole on the state of the
Union having under consideration resolution re-
ported by the Committee on Foreign Affairs, enti-
tied "a resolution Of notice to Great Britain an
null and abrogate the convention between Great
Britain and the U. States, Of August 9th, 1927,
relative to the country the Northwest coast of
America westward Of the Stony Mountains, CON-
monty called Oregon
Mr. FOOT of Vermont having obtained the
floor, addressed the Committee as follows
Mr. CHAIRMAN 1t has been my misfortune to
have been confined at my lodgings by severe in
disposition for the most part OF the time during the
progress Of this debate. know but little Of the
character and scope Of the discussion, except as
have occasionally glanced at the reports Under
these circumstances, can expect to do little more
than to travel over a track already beaten to say
little more than has already been often and better
said by gentlemen who have preceded me. Indeed
under any circumstances, it would be little better
than arrogant presumption in me TO essay TO add
any new argument, or to give any new interest to
question after il had undergone so long, so elab-
crate, and so able discussion as the question now
before us has received. 1t was my desire and my
purpose in the early part Of this debate to have
pressed my views to the committee, had not my at
tendance upon the House been interrupted. Feel
ing as / do the embarrassment of addressing the
committee at so late period Of the discussion and
after the question under consideration has called
forth the best talent, the highest eloquence, the
profoundest research and the ripest experience up
on the floor OF this House, that purpose would now
be abandoned but for an imperative sense of obi
CATION feel, that, upon question OF such mo-
mentous and vital consequences to the whole and
every part of our country as involved IN the resolu
ton before us, the State which in part represent
here, should be heard upon il, though il be
through the humblest Of her representatives upon
this floor. Much rather would have been saved
the task flor it is with the most extreme and unaf-
fec,ed reluctance that ever attempt address this
House. and that what trust aud believe to be the
prevailing opinions and sentiments Of the people of
that State upon this subject, should have been ex-
pressed by either Of my learned and gifted col
leagues But as it is Mr. Chairman, | must beg
the indulgence Of the committee while venture to
submit 10 their consideration some general views
upon the subject which has already occupied so
much Of their attention.
Allow me to say, in the first place, Mr. Chairman,
that do not propose, in the few remarks which
my recovering strength will enable me TO present
at the present time, TO go into an examination oil
the grounds ofthe respective claims ofGreat Britain
and the United States to the Oregon Territory
The time allotted me is insufficient at the same
time to allow me to present some other views in
connection with this controversy between the two
governments as | desire to do. Moreover, the
question Of title has been very fully discussed both
here and elsewhere The result of the best and
most impartial examination have been able to
give to the subject upon my own mind is, that both
Governments have certain rights and claims there,
not perhaps very clearly defined that neither gov
eminent has a clear perfect title to the whole OF
the Oregon Territory that neither can rghiully
assert an exclusive claim to the whole, or extend
Il. I.o.snt tha phnla octt
consistently with the rights and claims of the other.
The question oftte in controversy is peculiarly
of that character, which renders it eminently fit
and proper subject for negotiation and compromise.
However we may affect to regard our title TO the
whole Of Oregon as clear and perfect, England is
doubtlessy equally convinced that she has the bet.
ter title to part Of that territory. Not unlike all
parties to controversy, we very readily, and easily
and naturally satisfy ourselves that we are In the
right, that the opposing party is in the wrong. The
controversy in this instance, as TO the question oil
right as to the question oftitle, let us bear in mind
is not among ourselves it is with another party,
with another Government, which claims title against
US to another part Of this territory. This contro-
versy has existed for more than twenty-five years
1t is question of conflicting title between two
governments, each urging and insisting that II has
the stronger and better claim The arguments
which have been addressed by each Government
to the other, through their diplomatic conespon-
dence, however, ingenious and able they may be-
are nevertheless rather the ingenious and able ar
gumenis of counsel for client than Of the Judge
pronouncng an impartial decision upon the merits
of the case. These conflicting claims have been
the subject of discussion, of argument, Of negotia
ton, of mutual propositions of compromise anc
settlement at different periods and under different
administrations, representing the views and policy
of the two leading diverse political parties in The
country, during this whole period of time. Boil
governments have occupied the disputed territory
in the mean time, TO certain extent, and io
certain purposes, as they now occupy il by virtue
of a conventional agreement.
The direct question which is now presented Il
us, and which undertake to say is premaiurell
and nconsideratey upon the consideration of thu
popular branch of the Legislative Department i
whether Congress shall direct that unconditional no
tce shall forthwith be given for the termination ofh
convention of 1927 and whether as a necessar,
resulting consequence Of such notice, after tn
abrogaton of the treaty, we shall assert an exclu
siye claim TO the whole Of the Oregon territory
and extend over the whole Of il our own exclusive
sovereignty or whether we shall leave the contro
versy still open, as il now is, for further negotia
lion and compromise. Whether in short, in III
popular language of the advocates Of extreme mea
sures, we shall adopt the rule of our action, 9Th