The New York herald., 1845-04-26
The Oregon Question.


The Oregon Question.
l. The recent intelligence from England with re-
spect 10 The Oregon question, created ire
mendous sensation in this city for day or two,
but It now appears to be rapidly subslding.-
All the mere party journals seem to be afraid OF
touching the subject at all.
This question, however, is destined to exercise
prodigious influence on the events of the coming
year-more than any lmagnes. The Texas,
the Brazilian question, any other, will be as dust
In the balance, compared with this great subject of
controversy and national disturbance. We have
yet TO hear from the East and South, and particu-
larly from the great West, in order TO be able to
Judge of the popular feeling with regard to the de-
caratlon of the British government, as made in
Parliament Our firm belief Is, that this question
will exercise on the internal politics Of this
try, much more important influence than the
Texas question did. That question, as brought up
by MIR. Tyler, was sufficient to demolish whole
patches OF old politicians, such as Clay, Van Blu.
ren and others, and we should not be surprised If
the Oregon question, In the shape in which it now
comes before the country, were to determine the
next Presidential election.
Mr.. Polk will be overwhelmed with the dificul.
Ties OF his difficulties greatly aggravated
by the comparative weakness and imbecility of
his cabinet. II is the general belief in this COM
muniy that if Mr.. Calhoun had been retained a3
Secretary OF State, different direction would
have been given to this important and troublesome
question, of the occupation of the Oregon Territory
And the belief is as genera! and strong that Mr.
Buchanan will be found unequal to the crisis, with
all the other members of the Cabinet. Mr. Polk
seems to have nerve and courage enough, but we
doubt much whether his Cabinet will back him up.
AT all events, let US wait and see the progress of
public opinion on this most momentous and inter-
esting question, on which Great Britain and the
United States are directly and positively at issue
before the world, without any prospect OF a com.
promise based on principles analogous to those on
which the question of the North Eastern Boundary
was settled No statesman in this country-no
adminlsraton-no President-no Cabinet will ever
take the responsibility before the fierce democracy
OF this great republic, Of repeating the settlement OF
International difficulties in the manner adopted by
MIR. Webster and Lord Ashburton in the case of
the North Eastern Boundary.
1t will be seen from our Washington correspon-
dence that the recent news from England created
great excitement in the capital. The fun is only
beginning.
DEMOCRATIC SQUABBLEs IN THE LEGISLATURE
We give in this days, from one of the Albany pa
pers, sketch of one of the recent debates in the
Assembly, on the State Convention question:
From the bitter, discourteous, and savage manner
IN which the democratic members have conducted
these debates, it is toleraby apparent that the par
ty that elected Mr. Polk in this State, IS rapidly
approaching state OF complete disorganization
This convention business threatens to revolution
lse parties IN this State completely. 1t is aenounc-
ed by some OF the wings, and ID supported by 9th.
ers Amongst the democracy 1t has excited
great deal of most violent difference Of opinion
What the result will be, no one can tell. 1t may
end in complete disorganzation of political par
ties, and the upheaving of the very foundation of
the State government and State institutions 1t
has passed the House, but has not gone through
the Senate yet
The NATIONAL INsTlTuTE.-We have received
the third Bulletin" of the National Institute
containing an abstract OF its proceedings during the
years IS42-43-44i5, with lists OF contributors and
members. 1t is very interesting document, and
presents abundant and gratifying evidence of the
practical and extended usefulness of this excellent
institution.
One OF the most interesting features ia the opera
tlons of this INSTITUTE is the system of commun.
cationwhch it has organized with the officers of the
Army and Navy of the United States-the Consuls
at foreign ports-and all the government agents and
representatives abroad. A very important and va
luable mass of information has thus been already
collected, and the future contributions from this
source will be constantly increasing in extent and
value. An interesting and profitable correspon-
dence is also kept up with all the principal scienti-
fc institutions in Europe. But it is not only by
means Of its correspondence alone that the "Na-
tiona Institute" is adding largely the treasure of
knowledge. 1t begins to exercise perceptible and
salutary influence on the advancement of science
and the arts in this country.
small annual appropriation from Congress would
be well bestowed on this excellent institution. If
thus assisted, it would very soon becomethe pride
of the whole country. The friends of science and
OF the national advancement in literature, phioso-
ply, and the arts, ought to give it their united and
vigorous support. We do not know any way in
which the small annual subscription of five dollars
which constitutes the title to membership could be
better applied We trust that the National lnsti-
tute" will rapidly grow IN public favor. great
deal OF its success thus far, II is proper add may
be attributed to the ZEAL industry and talents of its
Corresponding Secretary, F. Markoe, jr., Esq
He quite indefatigabe in his exertions to promote
the prosperity and usefulness of the Institute.
STEAMBOAT ACCIDENTS ON THE NORTH RIVER
Yesterday morning about o'clock, the steamboat
Empire, on her downward trip from Albany, met
with an accident, but not of so alarming nature
was rumored. The particulars are as follows:
There being dense fog at the time, the pilot mis-
calculated his course, and ran her at least twenty
feet through the wharf at the foot of Nineteenth
street, smashing her stem and injuring her bottom
little. As she was going at considerable speed,
the conclusion was very violent, and great confu.
sion prevailed on board for some minutes amongst
the passengers, who were taken on board the
knckerbocker,which came alongside shortly after
wards, and conveyed them in safety to the city
The Empire has been taken off, and has gone