The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-05-24
From the Ohio Statesman
OREGON AND TEXAS.


We copy the following very excel
liant article from the New York Sun.
and invite for it an attentive perusal.
In the clamor for Texas, the Territory
of Oregon seems to have been lost sight
OF, or else carefully kept in the back
ground. That fine territory has never
been ceded away, and, with the CON
sent of the western people, never will.
1t is ours by right ours by discovery,
and, if necessary, we go for making it
ours by force. In real importance,
the Texas question sinks into inslg-
nifcance when compared with the
question of the occupation of Oregon
Territory by the United States:
"OREGON TERRITORY.
sin the adoption OF the Treaty of An
nexaton, and the excitement growing
out ofthe difference of opinion as to
policy and to time, the important settle
ment of fOregon is lost sight OF. The
new British Minister was specially ap-
pointed to conduct the Oregon negotia-
ton; and we believe more satlsiacto-
ry issue would have resulted, had the
Annexation question been made 10 lake
secondary rank. Oregon we clal n,
and justly claim, as our own-lts
boundaries only require to be dehned'
and the question is permanently settled.
Now it will be a measure interviewer
with the Texas question: concessions
from one power must be followed by
concessions from the other. Charged,
as we have been, with an avarlclous
disposition for the acquisition OF terri
tory, we may he compelled to prove
our innocence and exemption from
such charges, by parting with some
portion of a territory decidedly our
own. Texas we admit, as establishing
our southern boundary, and the posses
sion of much valuable land, is OF great
Importance to this country, j. 1t can be
acquired without great sacrifices. But
Oregon is no less important to the
United States in commercial point OF
view. 1t is the door to China-to the
Pacific Islands, and to that rich and
fertile group between INDIA and CHINA,
so long almost Theoretically closed, is
at length open, the whole Indian Ocean
is ready TO contribute to our Natlona
wealth. Teas, coffee, pepper, ginger
spices, perfumes of every description
porcelain, diamonds, pearls, raw silk
wrough, silk, grass cloth, toys, drugs
ratans, tortoise she'll, ivory, gold dust
bullion, beeswax, cordage, copper, tin
ii metal in general use, is found IN I'M
mense quantities-opium, aftordms
great profits. Java produces more
than thirty millions ofpounds OF coffee
sold at six dollars per 1873 pounds. II
one year, $4,000 tens of British ship
ping sailed from Batavia. With al
unrestricted trade, and the possession
Of Oregon, what market opens 10
our iron, chinlz, calico, and cotton tab
RIGS, and also our furs and peltrles.--
On the whole line of the Pacific w
have not a port which we call our own
to which any of our vessels can repair
With Oregon, its immense forests 1t
fertile vallies, its rich peltrles, Its MIN
eral wealth--with a dock yard and col
ony of emigrants, in two years ou
commerce would be doubled, and w
should be making rapid strides to cope
with England for that portion OF tn
Ea It India trade which would be GU
) own, if we had ports 10 direct rout
to that rich portion of the globe. Ih' !
negotiation is one calculated to reflec
honor on tile Secretary of '>tate,lt pro:
ecuted to a successful issue, and on
which would be more advantageou
to the country, and more credltable t
him than fierce contest for the acqu
sition of Texas"