Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1843-01-14
From the Washington Spectator.
THE OREGON QUESTION.

From the Washington Spectator.
THE OREGON QUESTION.
We have already stated, that we re.
gard as most unfortunate, the omission
in tho late treaty, to settle the Oregon
question. That treaty is justified on the
ground, {not the most loity.) that it has
secured for us, peace. i has "sared Us
from war with England is the pusillani-
nous exclamation Of an ignoble advocate.
Yet, sooth to say, it has failed to adjust
that question, OF which war is destined TO
be the sole arbitcr. To preserve peace,
as though that were the exclusive object
If negotiation, we have surrendered
large portion Of unquestionable, ifnot un-
questioned, American territory; we have
stipulated to indemnify the mutilated
State and its joint proprietor, out OF an
exhausted Treasury; we have consented
to maintain an expensive squadron upon
tho fatal coast Of Africa; aud we have
to mutual surrender Of crimi-
nails, which, is liable to the greatest abus-
es; oil this we have done to secure peace;
and yet we have Indefinitely postponed
the very question most big with war.
Great Britain does not design TO yield
her unjustifiable pretensions to the mouth
ofthe Columbia river. except upon com
pulsion. The advantages Of the Oregon
Territory are too great ever to be SUR
rendered, unless by dire constraint. 10
give an idea Of these advantages, wo
quote striking passage from the speech
Of Mr.. BENTON, upon the treaty,a speech
characterized by remarkable ability, ac-
cuteness, and research, and to which we
shall have frequent occasion to refer, as
to magazine Of iacts, and an ample
store house Of materials:
81 de no. dila.e upon the value and ex.
tent Of this grea. country. A word sufhces
TO display both. In extent, it is larger than
the Atlantic portion Of tie old thirteen
United STATES; in climate, softer; in feriili-
~, greater; in salubri'y, superior: in posi-
ton. better, because fronting Asia, and
washed by n tranquil sea. In VII these par
,,culars, the western slope Of our continent
is far more happy than .he eastern. In con-
Ggurasion, il is inexpre,sibly 6ne and grand
IA vas. oblong square, with natural boun-
diaries, and a single gateway into the sea-
The snow.capped Rocky mountains enclose
j. 10 the east. an iron bound coas, on the
west, q frozen descr, on the north, aud sam
dy plains on the south. All lis rivers, ris-
ing on the segment of u vast circumference,
run TO meet each other in the centre; and
then 6ow together into the ocean, through
gap in the mo nntai., where tae heats Of
summer and colds Of winter IRE never felt {.
and where southern aud northern diseases
IRE equally unknown. This is the valley
Of the Columbia country whose every
advantage IL crowned by the advantages VI
position and conigura.ion: by the unity OF
all its parts-the inaccessibility Of its bof-
ders-and its single in,rogrcssion to the sea.
Such a country is formed for union, wealth
and strength. II can have bu. one capital,
and that will DC u Thebes; but one COM
mercial emporium, and that will be Tyre,
queen Of cities. Such country can have
but cue people, one interest. one govern
mcns; and that people should be American
that interest ours-and ,ha, government,
Republic IN. Accursel nnd infamous be
the man that divides or aliena,cs i,!''
Is any one weak enough to suppose
that Great Britain will ever peaceably
surrender country such Us that SO
glowingly yet accurately portrayed in
this graphic and animated pic,ure?-
Doubtless, Lord AsHBuKroN had instruc.
tons to yield nothing ON this point. even
II the refusal should involve an abandon
mcnt Of the negotiation. He must, there.
tore, have been delighted, by the consen,
OF our Government, to exclude this sub.
Jecl from the negotiation. He, thereby
got rid of this greatest difficulty.
But for this very reason, we should
have asscnted to no arrangement, which
did not include this, the greatest OF the
questions at issue between the two coun-
tries. 10 gain our point here, we might
have yielded something elsewhere; with
out il, nothing. Grea. Britain. partly
by our tumeness, partly by her encroach
ing activity, has already occupied the
northern bank Of the Columbia river, aud
is excluding or annoying the American
settler. Nevertheless. the stream Of A.
merican emigration is flowing in that di.
rection, and nolhlng can much longer pre-.
vent the inevitable collision OF the ad
verse adventures. Our colonlsts are
calling upon the Government to support
their rights, aid we understand that the
subject was not pressed upon the at.en.
ton ot Congress ut the last session, only
because it was expected that the contro.
versy would be adjusted by the treaty
No one dreamed that when an extraordi.
nary minister was sent to Washington
armed with full powers, as was alleged, I.
adjust all tue points in dispute between
the two countries, treaty would be con
cluded excluding the most important q
these subjects Of controversy.
Let no man count upon peace, until oul
absolute right to the Oregon Territory il
determined. The Pacific question was
aud is the only one which really threat
ems war. The American right will
doubtless, DO urged upon tho attention d
the present Congress, and il it tails 10 nc,
with becoming spirit and energy, the
next Congress, which is to contain q
l)emCcrailc mai0ritv will n,nst ro-,a;nlv