Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-12-12
WILMINGTON JOURNAL.
Friday, December ~. 1s45.
rHE PREslDENT,s MESSAGE.

4OW1ng TO TIE balIuIS O1 the 1NOEtuSIA Ntoh W"
Thursday last. this document did not reach here
until after our last paper printed, and on Its
way to our subscribers. As we stated in oursiast,
we waited for it till half past nine O'Clock at night
We publish entire this long and able document.
nis very long. Longer, indeed, than would be
necessary, under any other circumstances. But
as Ris AIR. Folks first message, he was compel
led and, indeed, did nothing more than his duty, to
state clearly and infinitely the line Of policy which
he has marked out for himself, and which, we feel
convinced, he intends to pursue with 6rm and
unwaverins hand.
Mr.. Folks Message will be read with deep in
terest by ALL 1t is clear. plain, and direct in its
statements; capable Of being unders, God BY the
humblest capacity; at the same time, the bold and
manly views which he takes of our national poll
cy, are expressed with an ability which will lose
nothing in comparison with similar documents of
his predecessors. Above ell. it is thofoughly Re-
publican in its every word and sentence. .
| As our readers ~ill pcruss the ioeunent for
themselves, we would think it q work sf superero.
CATION on our part, were we 10 enter into an elsb-
ornte commentary on the various topics upon
which Mr.. Polk touches. We will not. We
cannot however, forb<ar noticing some of ito most
important features. What does Mr.. Polk say a.
bout Oregon! is the FIRST question which every
one asks in conuexion with the message, whether
friend or foe. Why, we think he says everything
that can possibly be said by an American states
man and patriot. The Oregon question has been
now pending between the United States and En-.
gland since 1918. Several attempts have been
made, on the part Of this country. TO bring the
matter to satisfactory and amcable close, in the
way OF compromise The whole territory extends
from 42o to $40 40, North latitude. Three times,
IN spirit Of compromise, has our government
proposed to Great Britain to make the 49th degree
; the dividing line. As often has this compromise
been rejected BY the British Government. Mr..
Polk, although, as he says he was convinced that
our title to the whole of the territory was better
than that OF any other power in the world, still,
from Difference to what had been done by his pre-
decessors, and in accordance with what he looked
upon as the quasi implied faith of the country,
again offered the 4sth degree to Great Britain, as
a boundary line; this has been once moro rejected
The proposition of the British Minister to run q
! line from the Rocky Mountains along the 49th
degree, till that line intersects the Northeast branch
Of the Columbia river and thence down the centre
OF that stream to the Pacific, was, we think, very
S properly rejected by Mr. Folks cabinet. Surely
there is no American who would be willing to sur
render the mouth Of the Columbia river to Eng
. land. Here the negotiation dropped-Mr. Polk
}, having Withdrawn the proposition to make the
49th the boundary line. Throughout the whole
negotiation, we think the United States has evn
? ced disposition to settle the mat:erin fair and
e amicabc manner. Has England done the same
: we think not. and should host;llties> be the con
s. sequence of the present aspect Of this question
n England. in the eyes of the whole civilized world
must stand in the altitude Of the war seeker Now
that England has refused to come to any lust ant
q amicable settlement of the question, Mr.. Polk Tia.
asserted the title Of the United States to the whole
Is Of the Oregon region, and recommends to Con
gress to give the years notice, stipulated in tn.
q Convention Of August, 1927. We agree with
h Mr.. Polk, that this notice should be given anl
It that the matter should be settled as soon as ma,
he, i'll some shape or another. His recommenda
ton to Congress to extend the laws Of tho Unior
: over our citizens now living in the Territory il
e just and proper. 1t is doing nothing more thar
= England has done, almost quarter of a ccntur,
. ago. With Congress it now remains to take &C
e ton on these recommendations and We fear no
s but that that body will act With promptness ant
+ vigor.
r On the Tariff. Mr.. Polk has come up to on
). most sanguine antcipations. His views on thi
# subject will end response from the great mass
y the Democracy in every section of the Union ant
:. we have every confidence that the Democratic ma
e jorlty in Congress will faithfully carry out tn
# great principles upon which they were elected
= Every consideration calls aloud for tho reduction
. Of the Tariff to a revenue standard. Expediency
justice, the future permanent interests Of the YER
e class for whose benefit the act of AZ was passed
i all combine in saying that now is the tc to brn
f. back the taxing power to its legitimate sphere.
re On the Texas Annexation question Mr.. Poll
d very justly, and very naturally. congratuates til
u country upon the peaceful and hloodlSss consur
nation of that great measure, and recommends tia
- Congress will. a. soon as possible, rassan set AZ
hitting tho new State into the Consdttacy.
We are happy to see that Mr.. Polk official
announces IN his message when speaking Of our r.
n lations with Mexico. that that republic has int
mated desire to renew Diplomatic inlerc6u,s
- with tho United States, and tia, accordingly
j. PleniPotentiary Extraordinary has been sent
Mexico with full powers and instructions to sett
q. all the questions now in dispute between the tw
"A republics. Some months since, it was intimate
that our government would resort to extreme me-