Arkansas intelligencer., 1844-06-01
THE COUNTRY PERFECTLY SAFE.

We have ali along entertained serious fears for
the safety OF our new but extensive ecountry-have
looked upon the chances of n war with Great Bri-
tain with great alarm and exceeding much trem-
bling, and upon the consequences Of such war as
nothing more nor less than a continued train
of destruction and devastation ending in total and
irretrevable ruin. Our minds, by day, ha We been
filled with dire speculation Of downfall-by night
we could hardly close eyes without visions Of
immense fleets of steam ships a nd sail ships, cruis.
ing in our troubled imaginations-of our ports,
creeks, harbors and havens. The relen Sc Of Nc.
Leod afforded us u temporary relief. to be sure,
and the settlement Of the Boundary Question gave
US a short respite but soon Oregon rose into
point at issue, and again we were made perfectly
miserable with the thought of our country s ami.
hllation. We knew that we had achieved our in
dependence IN the revolution, and mad gained lau-
res impcrisliabe at the Same time !; we felt ava re
that in last with the mistress Of tho ocean
we not only held own, but, in common back
woods parlance, "broke WHINE in the long run ~
bu, then the vauntng stories of the ncrea of the
British navy staggered our faith in the pro!abi.
~ that we could play the same game a second
time, and we were led to hope that every thing
might be sacrificed, Oregon and all, rather than
that we should be involved in another war. which
must only end in carnage and obliteration.
Such we're our gloomy thoughts--such our
dreadful forebodngs-untiI the dark cloud of de.
feat was dispelled and the bright sky Of victory
was spread out before US. We can see our way
clear now-the country is safe. Paixhan guns,
IN foreign hands, are even like pop guns in chill
dren's hands-bomb shells are as ha rmless ms egg
shells-batteries not half as dangerous as buck
wheat cakes. We have heard Western war
speech, and we are rcconcied-England had bet.
ter sell out her navy al once. Read, all ye of lit
tie faith, and take comfort ye who have waxed
fearful that the day of our national humiliation
was at hand-read and rejoice. Hear what a
showing tiger" from the "great west" has to say
upon the subject of Oregon and war with Great
Britain:
'Whnr, say ,char. is the individual who would
give up the first foot, the first outside shadow Of
foot, of tho Oregon There amt no such individ-
ua. Talk about treaty occupations to a country
over which the grent American eagle has flown!
scorn treaty occupations-d-n treaty occupa.
ton. Who wants parcel of low-fung, ''outside
barbarians" to 60 in cahoot with us and share
alike piece of land that always and always
will be ours? Nobody. Some people tnk a.
though they were affeerd of England. Who's af
feerdl Hav'nt we licked her twice, and can't We
lick her again Lick her yes; just rs easy az
bar can slip down fresh-peeled saplin. Some
skeery folks talk about the navy Of England bu,
who cares for the navyl Others say that she is
the mistress Of the ocean. Supposin' she is--ain,
we the masters oft {? Caa't we cut canal from
the Mississippi to the Mammoth Cave of Kentucky.
turn all the water into it and dry up the id ocean
three weeks! Whar, then would be the navyi