American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-03-13


Lord Aberdeen?
Mr.. Johnson. speak from personal autho-
rty. thought said so.
If such ends can be accomplished by nego-
tiation, if such ends have been accomplished,
invite Senators, in justice to themselves, in
charity to the nation, to support, one and all,
what have no doubt they wish should be the
determination of the Chief Magistrate, to set
tie the present controversy by the same means.
Let the Senator from Indiana MIR. Hannegan)
learn to restrain what | may be permitted to
call his impetuous patriotism. Let him not
suffer it to run riot. Let him give himself up
TO no dream of national honor, while he is
blind to all the obligations which christianity
and which humanity impose. Let him take
no course that will not leave as lie finds it his
native country blooming like the rose. Carry
not desolation or havoc through every corner
Of the land; and, above ALL let him pursue that
course, and be animated by that spirit, which
shall bring on US the praise and appreciation in
stead of the curses of the world.
| am not here Continued Mr.. Johnson) for
the purpose of assailng the validity of the
American title, and | wish not be msunder-
stood. The title, and the means of defending
it are in the hands of the proper legitimate de-
partment Of the Government; and whilst thus
in other hands, am not about to point out the
extent to which | think our title goes, and
where am sure the President intends to carry
it, unless driven into war by the obstinacy of
England. would rather my head should be
stricken off than awaken the American heart
into being the aggressor but it is not necessa-
ry to trouble the Senate upon this point.
How is the negotiation to be again resumed!
What are the steps most likely to bring about
this result2 Are they to remain as they are,
or is the advice of the President to US to be a
dopted? confess that on this SUBJECT my mind
has been solicitously anxious, and has under
gone recently change, and that change has
been owing to facts to which have already al
luded, mpressing me with the conviction, in
which am sure cannot be misled, that the
Presidents motives are peaceful. In what
condition are we now? The title to Oregon
Oregon, ali or none-may be made, not in the
hands of Senators of the United States, for they
are incapable of turning it to such purpose; it
may be made, say, party watchword; it may
be made to fill the whole land, and lash it into
a state of feverish excitement. Emigrants to
that territory, taking the excitement with
them; members Of the Senate, in the exercise
Of their admitted authority, proclaiming to
those emigrants that they stand on American
SOIL anu OunHI W DC pIOlGClGu exclusively ny
American laws, and that every Englishman is
trespasser; divided jurisdiction; one system
of laws extending its protecting arm over our
household, and another system over another; a
conflict in my judgment in such a case would
be inevitable. The state of things provided
for by the treaty of 1918, and continued by
that of 1927, cannot last, nor will it last. How
then, is conflict TO be avoided? Clearly by
bringing this state of things to an end, by d.
viding the disputed territory, by erecting each
portion into a separate sovereignty, to be pla-
ced under the armed Jurisdiction Of its own
Government. This can only be done by abro-
eating the treaty. England does not give the
notice, and, unless we do, all the dangers to
which | have referred will follow,
think the notice ought to be given, and be-
fore ] sit down | shall propose u form of notice,
some what different, but substantially the same
with one which has already been submitted to
the consideration of the Senate. If | was salts
fled that all that to which | have alluded would
not drive US into a conflict, should infinitely
prefer the present condition of things. The
advice of the Senator from South Carolina
| (MT. Calhoun the opinion which he has eX'
pressed, wisely xpressed--expressed in the
very spirit of wisdom-that our policy should
be mastery inactivity, is the true policy fol
this nation. BY emigration we would, in the
course of time, necessarily have made the ter
rltory ours. But that mastery inactivity has
caSed to be mastery, because of tue lt1lmdSIerl.
GCtiviiy of some others But | am sure, with
out = knowing individually what the opinion
OF the honorable Senator to whom / have al
luded now is, he will agree with me that thu
day for mastery inactivity is gone. And le
me say that we are in the discharge of iunc
ton of awful and tremendous responsibility
with the civilized world sitting in judgmen
upon US; with the eyes of the people Of th
country turned with deep and intense solici
tude towards us; with the hopes of humanity
the progress of Christian faith and Christiar
triumphs resting on what the Senate of thC
United States may be willing to do. Every
lover of constitutional freedom, wherever he
may be found, looks with intense anxiety tt
! the judgment and the decision of the Repre-
sentatves of this free Republic. If we ac
wisely, humanely, in Christian spirit, in thai
spirit which prevailed as the highest and mos
earnest wish of Heaven, that there shall be
peace on earth, good will to men, we will &C
on prospecting and to prosper. But if we ac
otherwise; if we give ourselves up to the lead
ing of impetuous spirits; if we are reckless
regardless of the obligations of humanity ano
Christianity; if we fly 10 the face of the spirit
of peace, in which Republic can alone live
| repeat, SO far from having the blessings Of
the world upon US, we will go down to poste
rity as the enemies of all good. And | think
it is our duty to apply to that God, whom We
all in common adore, and invoke his mercy to
save us from those desolating calamitles with
which we have been threatened, and preserve
us peaceful and happy nation.
METHODIST PROTESTANT CONFERENCE
This large and influential body assembled IL
Washington on "Wednesday. The president