The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-22

tons for the defence Of the country. We under
stand, with great pleasure, that other efficient
ures are about to be brought forward for this pur-
pose. Why should we hesitate for one moment
The news by the Acadia is not decisive OF or
Of war. But be this result as it may, we cannot
conceal the fact, that the English government are
busy in preparing; and that, among other arrange
ments, they have inspected the mail-steamers with
the view Of seeing whether they can carry the heav
lest artillery
Captain Austin (says Winners Liverpool Times,
of the 4th,) visited Liverpool last week, by orders of
the admiralty guage the capacity of the rstclass
steamers as regards the carrying Of heavy metal
The British and North American, the West Indian,
and other vessels have undergone similar inspec-
tons.
How can we shut our American ears, too, to the
language Of some Of the most arrogant and auda-
eious Of the English journals How can we listen
with any sort of patience TO the insulting menace of
the "London Standard of November %: "The
United States however, have none of these assur-
ances; they do not constitute an old, or compact or
even populous state, for the mass Of their people
is reduced to fourth Of its numerical power by the
vast extent Of territory which it is spread and
sixth of the population is composed of implaca-
bic enthusiastically marked as enemes--that is,
of black slaves. And, besides sweeping their ships
from every sea, and leaving them without
port the war which their DULLES pretend to threaten
would eventually come home to their own DOORS
and what is to be the prize of this war-a few
thousand square miles Of snowi Not SO much !
some thousands of miles of terra incognita," that
is, Of Oregon) Does it not become us as states
men and as Americans to prepare against such ag-
gression, whilst we boldly and fearcssly defy such
threats and such insults There is, indeed,
another side to the medal. Some of these
very British prints exhibit different and
more pacific indications. They are dissatisfied,
as well they may be, with the course of their gov
eminent. The Liverpool Times" for instance,
turns round upon the British minister, and rebukes
his want of conciliatory spirit. 1t charges the
rejection of the last proposition to the magn inau-
encc ofthe Hudson Bay Company:
at has transpired (says that paper) during the
last. day two that Mr.. Polk has repeated to the
English cabinet the offer which they have rejected
two or three times during the last quarter Of
| fury, namely TO divide the territory by the 49th
parallel Of north latitude, and that they still ad-
uctC W inc UOunudry, ehCn
nation being free Of its waters. II is our curse to
| have monopoly of some kind or other always To
fight for defend; some vested Interest," about
which the people in the aggregate know and care as
much as a COW does about astronomy. The nation,
If noses had been counted would have accepted this
offer by an overwhelming majority; but then the in
terests of the people and the interests of powerful
incorporated company diverge, and the government,
like harsh stepmother, pets the iavorile and plum
ders the family"
Upon the whole, the policy of the United States
is pence. But "peace with dgnity"-peace with
honor; if not, Gas the enlightened American writes
from Paris,) ''let war come" For this prepare
even as the means Of preventing war-certainly for
prosecuting an honorable war-let us make efficient
preparations. No man can now positively say,
what will be the resut-whether peace or war
But as the English are preparing, let us prepare
too Immediately, vigorously, with all the energy
in our power. We do not despair of peace-hon-
orable peace; but let us be ready for either issue
prepared, like wise nation for either alternative
The most received opinion among most Of the
foreign diplomatiss here is, as we understand
from private and respectable sources, that there
will not be war; that England cannot wage il in
| the eyes Of the civilized world, standing as she
does in relation to the United States-indecd, to the
whole question. But yet Providence sometimes
maddens those whom it means to destroy.