The North-Carolina standard., 1846-02-18
Correspondence of the standard.
WASHINGTON CrrI; Feb. 13, 1916.

I Since the date Of my last letter, we have had
stirring times in Washington The Oregon ex-
citement engendered by the lenEthened discussion
in the House of Representatives was brought to
its extreme height by the Publication Of the recent
correspondence upon the subject of arbitration,
which sent forth to the world on Saturday
| last, and has since been quieted in a measure by
the remarkable vote the question Of giving the
notice recorded on Monday. need scarcely write
you that every member of the democratic party in
the Senate House of Representatives, qrithoatt
a. single ercepfion most heartily approve the de-
cison Of the government upon the proposition 10
arbitrate the rights Of the United States in and
| Oregon. Not takes different view of the
subject. For the first time in the history of Amer
ican public affairs, every member of the democratic
party in Congress agree upon one of the most i'm
portant questions which has been moeted since
| the termination of our revolutionary struggle. l
feel satisfied In my own mind that this concord
ance of opinion is more the result of the frame of
public sentiment upon incidental and remote ques-
lions, than of perfect harmony upon the main
issue 10 which this now forever settled delermina-
tion to eect foreign interference in our affairs in
any shape, way, or manner, is applied. Ii has be-
come fixed impression with the public men in
this City, and more especially with our political
friends, that there is setled determination on the
part of the FIVE great powers of Europe to adopt
policy towards u.s. in future, which has for its aim
the Gripping Of the growth of our commerce. and
the prevention of the further extension of the
" area of freedom" {" this continent; or in other
words, of the establishment Of the laws if not in
stitutions of the United States over greater limits
than at present acknowledge their supremacy.
Feeling that the only way in which such resolu-
luton on the part of Europe be effectively met,
is, to give them no rope with which 10 hang US
10 avoid putting ourselves in any manner in their
power, public sentiment here is naturally against
trusting interests in the hands of any persons
or governments, other than our own:' This is the
great reason why the democratic party In Con-
gress are so united against the proposition 10 arb-
trate. You and your readers, one and all, will see
4 fhsf onf ao,h hi a.
termination Of The Administration not TO place our
tights and interests involved in the Oregon con-
troversy beyond our own control. Mr.. Calhoun,
you will recollecf: when at the head Of the State
Department., promptly rej1cted a similar offer in
the same case. II was then made by Britain, in
default of arguments with which 10 combat his
mastery and conclusive exposition of our exclusive
iIe 10 Oregon In this latter instance, by the by,
1t Is brought forward by Sir Richard Pakenham as
a rejoinder 10 the argument which has shed so |
much lustre over the name and fame Of James |
Buchanan. -
The newspapers Of the day have ere this inform
ed you Of the triumphant passage of the resolutions
10 give the notice on the part of the House of Rep
resentatives. ThirIy-seVen wings and sixteen de-
nOcrats voted against IT, to thitty-eisht whiQs and
one hundred and twenty democrats in its favor
The majority was one hundred and nine. Il con-
Tess that was hardly prepared 10 see majority
of the wings even in favor Of the policy of the Ad-
There would have been nothing re-
naTkaoe In this, If their leaders had not labored
way. The whig press Of the Atlantic cities, with
1ut one exception, came out with fierce denuncia-
ions against all OF their party who should dare TO
20 for the notice. The Courier and ENQUIRER, of
New ork city, denounced them in advance as
knaVes and fools $" and the National IntelIi-
gencer, OF this city, always more "purlite" las
Mr. Samuel Weller used to say) only characle-
Ized them as enemies 10 peace and TO the true in
erests OF their country. Secret caucusses were
'eld, and all tine arts of drumming and driving
we're in vain brought TO bear to sustain ihe posi,
ion Of Britain on the question. | say in vain;
nd SO it was. The spirit of Americanism' which {
at the heart OF the whigmasses proved too strong
Or the federal principles Of 1912, with which their
ell-wether leaders in Congress affected. That
eaven yet remains in active operation. 1t how q
yer Is too weak TO stand against its rival-Ihe
prIt bequeathed bY Thomas Jefferson 10 the e
american people, which in this eveT-memorable n
lstance, to their credit be 1t said, prevented one
lore than half of all the wings voting on the ques-
on, from backing their leaders who are even now q
ot!Ing to defeat the measures bY which the Ad- n
linlstratIon hope 10 settle this Vexed controversy
18th honor and advantage TO our country and vet II
thout war If nothing else, the late vote Of the 81
[ouse would determine the fate of the measure in
lie Senate The decision of three-fourths Of the l.
presentauves of the people upon. so momentous IL
question, which they had so long deliberated on II
I'D so thoroughly examined, must, and will have :,
) due weight with the other branch of Congress u
very representative doubtless fully informed o
the state of public opinion in his individual dis
lct There was full time to obtain such nforma-l
On, and may say, with truth, that those who m
'ted on either side, took great pains to know the o
iact sentiment OF their constituents. This fact u
well known to the Senate, who, even if other ~
Ise inclined, would scarcely throw themselves in
IaInst The plainly expressed " ish of full three
urths or four-hfths of the people of the United
ates on question that had been before Them for tn
e last twenty-five years. The operation of pub-
sentiment is not however, necessary TO ensure
e passage OF the notice through the Senate for a
aJorlty OF that body some time since came to the
Inclusion that the Oregon policy of the Executive ps
the only just and true one for the present crisis -
he signs satisfying of this, are too strong to IN
mistaken. = 'aa. .-s;. 70
On Saturday last Mr.. Clark, from the eighth dis lo
CT In North Carolina, made an able and eloquent -.
eech upon this great question. His effort like{ W
ose OF members from your State generally, was ly
Pete with strong sense, moderation and effective e.
sument: II was received with marked attention ~ ~
the House, as wearied as they were with the N
Ie'mlnaole length TO which the debate had been 81
otracted. '.. 7.':. = - - "-s+f " "
On Monday, Mr.. Adams made the bepinni,e of ly
great speech upon the question of the notice ha
1lch was cut short by the operation of the hor h,,
e before he had we'll commenced TO get into the
ID OF MS argument. He will doubtless take adli sta
mage OF dozen different opportunities ufinish w
oherlng IN the discussion of the incidental nnes e
ms YET TO be taken up by the House. such as bills r
e1tendng our Jurisdiction over the territory &c -
:. Chares j. lngerso, the chairman of the Com. Ly
wee on Foreign Affairs, also, on the same dav mo
'1e '1e remarkably interesting speech which Iike "0
ms enorts was eIratic and queer. He is sort eel
ahtediinVian; and is very fond of crowdine No. Wi