Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-03-05
WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES.

Such an event is not impossible; but we cam
not believe that it will speedily occur. Our
wish that it should not occur, may contribute to
our belief; but we shall state our reasons, eav-
Ing every one TO judge
l.--There is no sufficient grounds for war a
piece of barren land on the northeastern frontier
of the United States, the habtation Of wild
beasts on the northwestern frontier beyond the
Rocky Mountains, the arrest and mprison-
ment of British sub ject in the State OF New
York, for an alleged offence against the laws Of
the United States; the capture or detention, ac-
cordng to the Treaty of Client, Of American
vessels alleged to be engaged in the slave trade,
and bringing them in for adjudication by Amer-
can Tribunals, are no sufficient causes OF war,
between enlightened nations. There is nothing
in these matters, which may not be arranged ty
am;cable negotiation, or decided by reference
to a third party.
The enlightened men Of all countries, and flu
ture historians, will condemn two nations SO in
timately connected by Language, institutions,
manners customs and intercourse, if they go to
war upon these or any similar difficulties.
2.-They will not even have the common en-
cusc of agrandizement and gain. 1t is not pro-
babe that the one can force the other to yield.
They may try, indeed, "who can do the other
the most harm" England cannot conquer fiji
teen millions of Engshmen, in North America.
The United States cannot operate beyond the
Atlantic. They might annex Canada e. the other
British Provinces on the main land of North
America to the United States, attempting to
realise project in which they have twice been
engaged, and failed, ITO drive the British Gov
ernment offthe Continent" But can they drive
the power of that Government of the sea-coast
of the United States The naval stations oil
Newfoundland, Cape Breton, Bermuda and the
West Indies, would still remain. The terra
frma Provinces, gone, and England having
nothing more that could be ha.arded, bv war
with the United States, they would soon feel
that good understanding with power, mistress
OF the Ocean, is of the greatest value to people
who have risen and thryen by foreign trade and
Intercourse. In short, for a neighbour having
an interest to cultivate peace and good under
standing with the United States, they would
have one with very little interest Of the sort
BIN this supposed war, we give the United
States complete success in the attempts in which
they have heretofore failed, and which, we
know, is earnestly desired, by the whole popu-
aton. But they might fail again, at the cost OF
much blood and treasure. Perhaps, England
disengaged from other wars, no longer signing
for general peace, after nearly quarter of
century of war, might manage the new war in
America better, and with more perseverance,
than the last. Perhaps, her interest in the Unit
ed States and their influence in England, might
have less weight than hereiore..,... But we
cannot think OF the horrors Of war of more
destruction, INJECTING ruin on thousands of in
nocent persons, without any reasonable or prac-
teal national good
Although we do not believe that there will be
war, and deprecate it as one of the creates
scoIrges that can be brought on this vast CONT
nent, calling, nearly throughout the whole OF il,
for the arm OF the industrious settler, to make II
productive, benetitlng hlmse and mankind. We
nevertheless say, "be prepared for war :" BE
prepared for the outbreak OF human folly, human
passion and crime for there is no reason 10 con-
clude, that what has occurred from the earliest
ages of the world down to the present time, will
not again occur. We say, rather, that the his
tory OF the last half century, gives no proof OF
amendment, Notwithstanding the boasting ofph-
losophers, philanthropists, book-makers, and
newspaper edtors-Quebec Ga.eae.
To the London Argus of the 25th Oct. last
we are indebted for the following comments on
pamphlet published in London, entitled "Re-
marks on a war with America, and its probable
consequences to that country
"Alrcady the American newspapers sneak of
contesting our right to, or any participation in
the great Oregon region; and complain of the
presence there of the English fur hunters,
where they have hunted from time immemorial, |
as an infracton of the rights of American Cit. |
zens. With this spirit and object, ,car be,,ceen
the two countries must sooner or later, be inepifa.
ole. This certainly our government should
keep in view and we must be prepared when
war arrives to meet it boldly and to sustain it