Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1838-08-23

ests, deeply involving the honor and self
respect of the people of the United States,
Stated IN plain terms,i it is question, wheth-
er we Will submit to give up to Great Brit
ain portion of our territory, the possess
ion OF which happens TO be convenient to
her, and which she has therefore taken
possession Of, without the shadow of rea-
sonable claim to it; portion of territory
which she first attempted to buy Of us, and
no. succeeding in that, set up a claim to,
as hers already, and took possession ac-
cordingly.
| This is the real question at issue, and it
is only necessary towards its final and
speedy settlement for the people of the
United States fullyto understand it. The
following patriotic article from the BALI
more american, speaks we do not doubt,
the general sentiment ofthe country:
We find that the Fredericton, N. B.
Sentinel, in adverting to the question ofthe
North Eastern Boundary, deprecates the
decided stand taken by Maine, and speaks
of Maine being engaged single handed
with Great Britain in any contest that may
arise out of the conflicting rights on that
subject. In this the Sentinel is certainly
at fault. The cause of Maine is the cause
of the United States, and whatever serious
difficulty may arise, must be settled by the
National and not the State power, so far
at least as resort to arms may be con-
cerned. The Sentinel also adverts to the
presence of the respectable British military
force at this time stationed in the vicinity
of the disputed territory. We have always
thought that the force alluded to was COL
lected with view to this question and with
but partial reference, if any to the CanadI-
an rebellion, and we are prepared to be-
lieve that if the outbreak in the Provinces
was not the result of design, it at least was
welcomed as plausible pretence for pla-
cling troops in that quarter without exciting
suspicion. The idea that the territory in
dispute is necessary to Great Britain, and
should therefore be retained by her, is Just
as reasonable as that the British Govern
ment should order the seizure of an island
in the West Indies, because it would afford
good depot for her armed vessels. The
conflict about the N. Z. Boundary is to be
regretted, and it is to be hoped that Great
Britain will not urge claims to what she
clearly has no right, under formal treaties;
but should the matter resolve itself into an
rreconcleable disagreement, the honor of
our National Government is just as much
concerned in the preservation of her terri
tory to the State of Maine as is that of Eng
land in acquiring communication be-
tween the Upper and Lower Provinces.
With regard to the course to be pursued
by Governor KENT, it is perfectly plain. 1t
is his duty as Governor of Maine to pre-
serve her territory in its integrity, and when
the line shall have been ascertained in
ty of 1888 the duty will devolve on the
Government at Washington to do the rest.
There is certain point TO which nego-
citation should be carried, nor should it be
abandoned until all reasonable hopes of am
icable adjustment shall have passed away,
but we repeat it, should further force be
requisite, that force must be employed.
However polite it may have been on the
part of England to assume an imposing at
titude with view to prevent resistance on
our part, demonstrations of the kind will,
we hope, be found as inefficient as they are
Insignificant Should it become necessary
for the United States to shake off the
sothIulness of peace and assume warlke
attitude, it will be found that any force
that Great Britain can possibly send to her
North American possessions will weigh
but little in comparison with the array
which can be furnished by the Northern
States alone If Maine were willing to
cede or exchange her territory, well and
good; but should her citizens have no de-
sire, we say her rights must be sustained
-peaceably, if practicable, but come what
may, they must be sustained