Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1920-01-02
HOW POLK DID 1T.

one OF the great crises in American
history came when the Oregon ones.
ton was the political issue. II is nov,
interesting TO recall how President
folk dealt with it and how ne effected
Hsteement with the senate on the set
'lement which was reached. II was
particularly Instructive to compare his
method with that of President Wilson
IN ting present situation.
ON June 6. 1864 "a proposal in the
FORM OF convention for the adipst-
ment Of the Oregon question was
presented TO the secretary OF state Nv,
the British minister. and on June 10
foik submitted At to the senate with
message in which he said:
| submit this proposal TO the
consideration of the senate and
request their advice as to what ac-
uon' which, in their judgement. it
may he proper to take in reference
to it.
Tn the early periods of the gov
ernmont the opinion and advice of
the senate were often taken in
advance upon important questions
OF foreign policy. General Wash
ington repeatedly consulted the
senate and asked their previous
advice upon pending negotiations
with foreign powers. and the SEN
ate in every instance responded
to his call by giving their advice
to which he always confor,nod
his action. This practise though
rarely resorted to inlater times.
was IN my judgement eminentlv
wise and may on many occasions
OF great Importance be properly
revived. The senate are a branch
OF the treaty making power. and
by consulting them in advance of
ms own action upon important
measures Of foreign policy which
which may ultimately come before
them for their consideration the
president secures harmony of nc
ton between that body and himself
The senate are moreover a branch
OF The warmaking power. and il
may he eminontly proper for the
executive to take the opinion and
advice of that body i'm advance mn
ON amy question which may involve
IA it's decision the issue of peoce
or war.
should the senate by the consti
Netlonnl majority required for the
ratification Of treaties advise the
acceptance of this proposition. or
advise IL with such notifications
as they may upon fun elaboration
deem proper | shall conform ray
action 90 their advice. should the
senate, however decline by such
constitutional majority to give
such advice or 10 express an opir
ION on the subject / shall consider
my duty 10 reject the offer.
me senate voted To accept the Of
Ter on June Il, the convention was
signed on June Is. was promptly rati-
ned by the senate and ratincations
were exchanged in London onln.lv II
'niy six weeks after the original
proposal was made. IL is hardly
'rooatie tha. such promp. settle.
rent could have been made il Polk bv
'eSlecting to consult the senate bafore-
'ahl nad given that body occas.el 10
emand material change.
thc oregon question brought Tho
hited States to the verge OF war
Great Britain. II had been ,La
'Su' Of the campaign OF 1896 when I
zee s.cgan II III" Democra,s. whose
Sh' 'date Polk VAS. WAS 'nf y-s,.vr. 5
ofty or fight War preps,rations h
ere made, and an unconpronjsips L
t'itude on Folks part might easllv a
ave committed the government so far II
nat, 10 use the words Of President n
''son' whatever its discllnation s