The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-19

mencement Of the sesson, and it, comparatively
little Importance nov,
shall next proceed to inquire what bearing the
Increased prospect % compounds has on the posi-
uon OF the Executive, and that Of the several por-
tons of this body, in reference to notice, and the
Oregon question generally. That Il is calculated 10
effect materially the position Of the Executive, must
be apparent. That he should recommend giving
notice 10 terminate the convention Of joint occpan-
ey of the territory, with view Of asserting our
exclusive sovereignty 20 the whole, according TO his
view Of our title when there was little or no hope
Of compromise, is not at all inconsistent with his
being prepared 10 adjust the difference by compro-
mise, substantially on the ground offered by him
self, now when there " a reasonable prospect II
may be effected. Measures Of policy are necessa-
ny controlled by circumstances, and consequently
what may be wise and expedient under certain cir
cumstanees, might be eminently unwse and impoli-
tic under different circumstances To persist in
acting in the way under circumstances essen
Iislly different, would be folly and obsiinaey, and
not consistency. True eonsisteny, thai of the
prudent and the wise, il 10 act in conformity with
circumstances, and not TO act always the same under
10 change Of circumstances. There Is a prevalent
error on this point. Many think that the very es-
--adhering 70 the same party, or 10 the same meas
ures OF policy, without regard to change Of eircum-
stances Their consistency is like that Of physi.
clan, who, in the treatment Of a highly nhamma-
tory fever, would administer emeties and calome,
not only at the beginning, but at every subsequent
stage Of the disease. IL Is the consistency Of
quack, which would be sure to kill the patient.
The public man who would be consistent in the
same way would he but political quack, and in
dangerous cases, his prescription would be not less
fatal IL then the Executive is now really in
favor Of compromise, Notwithstanding the strong
language used In his message recommending no.
tice, Of which | have no information that is not
IN all ~ nu0hf mt "a suhiesf hn, tn haI
charge Of Inconsistency, but should be put down tn
the change Of circumstances TO which 4 have adj
yerted.
That it is also calculated to alter the positions taken
by the different portions OF the Senate in reference
10 notice, is no less certain; and that my friends
Oregon, must, am sure, feel TO be the case with
them. They cannot, | am confident, have the same
interest IN notice now, when there il great tn
believe that the difference will be compromised with
or without notee, as they had when there was no
hope Of compromise. Il is clear, that under such
change OF circumstances, the reason for giving
notice with them has, in great measure If not alto
geiher, ceased, so that should not be surprised TO
lind their votes cast against IL.
But trust that the change has gone farther, and
that they, by this time begin to that there are
some doubts as to our title TO the whole OF Oregon
being clear and unquestonable. IL cannot al least,
be regarded unquestonable, after il has been
questioned so frequently and with such ability du-
ring this discussion But IL their opinion re.
mains unchanged as TO the clearness of our title,
put IL TO them whether there is not some Difference
due to the opinion Of the great majority Of the Senate
who entertain different viewR Ia there not some
hing due to the fact that the majority even Of their
own political friends whose patriotism and intelli.
gence they cannot regard as inferior to their own,
think that our tide il not clear but that a com.
promise might be honorably effected To put
still stronger question, ask them, patriots and
the friends Of Oregon whether the fact itself Of so
great division, even among ourselves does not af
ford strong reason why the controversy should not
be settled BY an appeal to forced Are they willing,
ns wise and patriotic men, deslrous OF securing The
whole Of Oregon, to plac, the country in conflict !
with 90 great power an England, when the united
support and jealous cooperation Of all would be
TO support the country in the contest
appeal to them in the humber character as party
men, whether they are justified in perssting to phsh
o course Of policy which, whether 1t should end in
war or not, must terminate in the division and dis
traction Of their party' oHt 7r' a.ha ra 81 5R |
Without pursuing this branch Of the subject fur
Their, shall conclude what had to say in reference
to il, by saying that for one feel and acknowedE &c
the change Nothing could have induced me to
vote for notice. in any FORM while there appa-
rently no hope of compromise; but now that there
is, am disposed TO do so, if 1t should be properly
modified.
| am thus brought to the question under conside-
ration, to which all the preceding remarks were but
notice be given to Great Britain
10 terminate the convention Of jpint occupancy Az
ter what has been said, few words will suffice to
despatch it, "'
The question is not free from doubt. After a re-
view of the whole ground, can discover but two
reasons in favor Of giving 1t. The first is TO put an
end to the agitation Of the Oregon question, which,
without it, may run into the next presidential cleo
ton, and thereby become more difficult of adjust
ment than ever. The other is the apprehension,
that the government Of Great Britain may wait the
final action Of Congress in reference to notice before
il will move on the subject. Were it not for such
apprehension, would be disposed to postpone no.
tce for the present.
The next question is, in what form should it be
given if given at alp |, for one can, under no cir
cumstances vote for absolute notice, although adj
NIT il would be less dangerous now than when rec
commended by the message cannot consent to
give vote which might be construed to imply that
there was no hope of compromise, 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. | object to
il az eauivocal IF the resolution means simply to
declare that the President may settle the conrover
sy by compromise, it means nothing, as the Pres.
ident has that right under the constitution, and can
of Congress But if il be intended as a hint 10 him
10 settle the question by negotiation and compro.
mise, object to it for not plainly saying So am
utterly opposed to all equivocation, or obscure ex-
pressions in our public acts We are bound to saw
plainly what we mean to say. five mean neeotia.
ton and compromise, let us say it distinctly and
plainly instead of sending to the President reso.
luton on which he may put whatever Interpretation
he pleases.
Ii we give notice at all, it seems to me, for the
reasons Just stated, it should be substantially as
has been proposed by the gentleman from Georgia,
[Mr. CoLoulrT,] which plainly expresses the
desire of the Senate that it should be settled
by negotiation and compromise. For il [ am
inclined to vote, at present advised but regard
ing notice in all its forms 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 negative accord
ing az shall Judge that the other ia best cal
culsted to advance the end have in view.
have thus stated my reasons for supporting
compromise, and for favoring, atpresent, the giving
Of notice. | have been governed, as TO both, by
the circumstances under which find myself placed,
but for which am no ways responsible. | am
doing the best | can, where find myself, and not
A. r. ~