The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-10
THE NOTICE.

Mr.. Webster's position on the Oregon question,
as assumed on the 30th ult., and proclaimed just in
time, we fear, to be borne to England by the last
steamer, may be summed up in the five following
propositions stated by the honorable senator in the
course Of his speech with the greatest distinctness
lst. II was error in the Executive to lay the Ore
gon controversy before Congress at the opening OF
the session, with recommendation that the notice be
given.
3D. 1t was error in the Executive to proclaim to
the country, upon that occasion, and on the fourth
of March previous its confidence in the validity OF
our title to Oregon.
Sd. The public opinion, both of this country and
England is in favor ola settlement of the question by
the adoption of the 4sth parallel as boundary,
without reservng to ourselves the exclusive navi-
CATION of the Columbia.
4th. "The notice." if given, will be no aid in
farther negotiation; yet, the question remaining UNI
settled, "strong considerations arising at home may
make it proper to give the notice"
5th. No general boundary line, south of ago de-
grees, can ever be sanctioned by this country.
These propositions are wide. They carry with
them and place upon the senator, who pro-
claims them at this moment, no small weight Of re-
sponsibility. They assume, pending difficult con
troversy with England, to put our government
whoLy in the ,orong before England, and before the
world-in the wrong both as to the objects for
which it contends, and as to the methods by which
it seeks to gain them.
They do all this avowedly with the purpose Of
inducing England now to settle the question sub
stantially upon an offer which she has steadily pro
claimed to be wholly inadmissible for thirty years
and has never received, with any appearance
of hcsitancy till it was made in view of the very po
sition on the question which Mr.. Webster thus cen,
sures the Executive for assuming.
| These propositions, moreover plant themselves
full in the path Of procedure which is not only elect
ed by the Executive but deliberately sanctioned by
more than three-fourths Of the House of Represen
tatves.
Mr.. Webster's boundary proposition is inconsis
tent with itself If we right in claiming, as ma,
ter of right, the line of 400 then England can hav
no color Of claim to the navigation Of river run
ming through our territory exclusively for SOM
three hundred miles above the highest point Il
| which boats can ascend in it's stream.
The proposition as to the giving Of the motto
seems designedly left obscure; but enough Of it
meaning is apparent to show something very like
Accommodation. The paramount, II not the ex
elusive, object and interest Of this country on tn
Oregon question are, in Mr.. Webster's view, sue
cessful neutrality-suspicious. which will settle tn
business "Notice," in Mr.. Webster's judgment
will not aid such negotiation. Yet, "strong crcum
stances arising home, make it proper, in his judg
msnt, to pass the notice" What strong circum
stances' Is it the circumstance" that harmon
Of sentiment and action between the differen
branches of our government will strengthen GU
hand against England in the negotiation Thi
cannot be Mr.. We6ster's "strong circumstances" 70
the whole purpose and tenor Of his speech go Z
prevent the Senate from concurrng with the Press
dent and the House in the policy Of the message
On the contrary, Mr.. Webster urges the Senate