The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-11-28
THE DAILY UNION.

by France Spain. And Mr. Webster knows all
this; for he has carefully examined the claims of
The two governments, and will not stake his repu-
iauon upon saying that Britain has obtained
shadow OF right in the territory from France
Spain, or discovery. Has Britain derived any
rights from the United States Mr.. Webster seems
TO imply that, because the United States have long
negotiated upon this subject, they are still bound
to negotiate; and that because our government have
twice offered TO surrender all north Of the 49th deg
they have relinquished, and Britain has acquired
right TO the territory north Of that line. Mr.
Webster well knows that our government made
tins offer as compromise, and not IN any doubt Of
the American right, and that il was not accepted;
and that an offer Of compromise which is rejected,
involves no surrender of right, and does not pre-
cude the offerer from resumng the original ground
10 be binding TO preclude right in the oferer, and
vest IN the other party, compromise must be
cepted. But this offer of our government was not
accepted. Therefore the offer is binding no longer
the British government found no claim upon
II, aud the American government rightly resumes
their original position Of claimant TO the whole
ritory. But MIR. Webster will say that the British
government now offer the very terms twice rejected
by them when offered by our own. But this offer
Is not binding on the United States, and therefore
vests no right in Britain. A rejected offer is NULL
unless revived by the oerer. IL cannot be revived
by the reflector, to bind the oferer. Offered again
by the reflector, II is merely new offer, original
with the new otierer, and as such may be rejected
by the other party. IL vest no rights in the of
ferer, unless accepted by the other party. No man
knows better than Mr.. Webster, that this is law
Of all contracts, national and individual
Then, Britain has no rights in Oregon, we
deny Mr.. Webster's conclusion, that the subject is
still open TO negotiation, and consequently that we
have no right TO close the door to negotiation by Of
fering the alternative of war or surrender We say
that 1t is not open to negotiation; that the territory
"a hat. IN
prosperity and even our safety; and, therefore, that
we are not only justifabe in defending it, but bound
by duty to defend il, at the lannon's mouth. We
have moral, well as legal right to say, Sour
right is clear; we will hold no argument upon it, but
will forcibly repel every forcible Invasion"
But even admitting Mr.. Webster's premises, that
Britain has rights in Oregon: we still deny his con-
eluson that is case for amicnble settlement, and
consequently that we have right to forcible
sistance Let US suppose that Britain can show
claim 10 an undefnable portion of the territory, and
offers one boundary, while we, admitting the British
claim to something, offer aooiher boundary. We
will also suppose that the boundary offered by our
selves is essential TO prosperity, while that offer
ed by Britain is injurious. Have we, in such case,
no right TO insist on our offer, and propose war
the alternativei Mr.. Webster implies that we have
not But as the question with us has become, in
such case, mere calculation of advantages, as the
srienf of right in each is undefnable and therefore
each mas tie Sht VI JuugtheHt III proposing eefn's,
each has the right 10 the alternative of its terms
roar Each has the moral, as well as legal right
Of saying that is less evil than surrender be-
yond its offer. Even this case, the most favorable
for Britain which Mr.. Webster can present, leaves
us the right Of even aggressive Then how
much clearer 10 our right TO it, when Britain has no
rights in the territory! And il we have this right
of aggressive war, how much clearer our right to
defensive war, Now, MIR. Webster well knows
that defensive war is the utmost that offer, and
that all threats Of assault in default Of submission
proceed from the British side. We shall examine
his two other positions.