The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-03-05
THE GALAXY.
MlIlD[DI1[ alBWRH, W9Ps
Wednesday, March 5, 1916.
OREGON.

We believed we could present at this time
nothing more acceptable TO our intelligent
readers than short statement of the grounds
of our right to Oregon which is taken from
the n. Y. Courier and Enquirer, and trans
ferred to the columns uf many of our ex-
change papers.
There is little doubt among ourbest states
men that we have a valid claim to avery large
portion of the Oregon Territory and espe-
cially TO that which lies on the Columbia
River and its tributary branches. At the
same time every prudent man must regard it
as highly injudicfo6s at presen. TO extend cur
jurisdiction over it when negotiations are pend
ing for the peaceable adjustment of our claims
with rival claimant TO whom something must
be conceded or war is inevitable
Delay for few years is evidently our policy.
The increasing emigration of our citizens 10
that region will peaceably secure to US ju-
risdiction which ii is a, present impossible for
us to enforce by arms should we attempt it.
Two years ago Mr.. Calhoun calculated the
chances Of success in such struggle asvast-
IL against us. From China where the Brit
ISL will ever have large disposabie force the
distance to the mouth of the Columbia, over
placid ocean is but $500 miles, and might be
accomplished by six weeks voyage. We
could not convey force there with less
run than $4,000 miles actual sailing en- the
usual route, and instead OF a six weeks it
would be six months voyage. The imped-
iments by land where We shall be obliged to
traverse Il wilderness of 1000 miles TO reach
the mouth OF the Columbia from thefrontier
of Missouri would be almost, equally :ormi-
dable with sea voyage. The time to accom-
plsh this could not much fall short Of 100
days march, and greater il our troops should
be impeded by hostile Indians, or famished
by hunger in regions destitute Of any means
of subsistence but wild game, which can new
err be relied on for the support of an army.
And can any man be so visionary as to inn
agine that Great Britain will tamely. submit
to our demands, and yield up claims to ter
ritory of portion Of which she has been.long
in possession, and has never once thought Of
reliuquishing. Levia,han is not SO easily
tanned, if history teaches true Of her thirst for
dominion, her pride Of power and her I'M
yielding temper
But there is according to Mr.. Calhoun,
Que way of accomplishing the object, "a
mastery inaciirity." five abide our time
the emigration of ''strong arms and stout
hearts, will soon give us dominion which
we cannot secure should we pursue course
which would end in rupture with the pow
erful nation who dispute our title to consd-
cradle extent with great plausibiiity.
And what would be more likely to produce
that result Than the course proposed by this
bill which is nothing more nor less than to
change the existing state of thiags as settled
by treaty stiprlations, and take military pos
session of country which we have hitherto
consented to hold in common with Great
Britain and the northern portion of which
that nation had early explored. and for years
been in The possession long before we had
occupied a foot Of land upon the soil of Ore
gon.
1t is certainly much TO be apprehended
that the people are not fully awake TO the
danger of being plunged into a war with
Great Britain or Mexico by the reckless and
inconsiderate course now pursuing by the
dominant party in Congress. 1t is high time
that the North at least, should open their
eyes TO the critical condition of our foreign
relations as to both Oregon and Texas. IL we
are to be plunged into ar the burden of the
conflict must be bourne by the North. The
blood and treasure of the North must flow
like water, her commerce ruined, her bust
ness cripped, and her ships whose sails now
whiten every sea must be swept from the
ocean, and may be her cities and villages
wrapt in flames; and all this scene Of rapine
and devastation is to be encountered. for no
better purpose than to vindicate claim to
distant and barren regions, or to perpetuate an
institution hated by God and man, and which
furnishes the South with the means Of tyran-
nizing over the Union forever.
The Disputed Oregon Terrific