Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-12-19

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besides giving to England the free navigation
of the Columbia. What American would bs
willing to basely accede this lions share o
the Oregon, to the grasping power of Eng
land2 We cannot conceive that there is one
man in America who would, for moment, lis
ten to such proposition. MIR. Polk has with
drawn all propositions, and asserted our title
to the whole of the territory. He now leaves
itin the hands of Congress to say what course
this country will pursue in the matter. He
recommends that the years notice shall be Civ
en-, and that the jurisdiction of the United
States be extended over our citizens who have
settled on the banks of the Columbia. This
being thu actual state Of affairs, what are the
consequences which are likely to glow out OF
them, is the question to which every one de-
sires an answer. We do not, for our own part,
apprehend that war will be the result; even
should Congress, as we think it will, conclude
to give the years notice. The proposition of
our government to make the 49th degree the
dividing line, must be looked upon by the
whole civilized world as liberal and generous,
in the extreme; and we feel confident that
England will come to the same way of think
ing when she views the question maturely.-
At any rate We think she will not fight for any
more; should her grasping disposition, how
ever, impeI her to insist upon her last propo-
siton, the mouth of the Columbia, we con-
ceive that it will be the imperative duty of ev-
cry American to resist it, even should war be
the consequence. Our interest, our honor,
and our national character, are all involved in
the question, and we, for one, hold the doc
trine that these must and shall be preserved,
be the cost what it may. Shall we permit
England to carve out for herself just such a
portion of our own territory as her grasping
opposition may choose to select, and stand
by and accept the residue, more as
4 boon than as our right! We think there is
not lnan in the United States who will not
say, no. What then is to be done Since Mr..
Polk and his cabinet have had charge of this
question, they have done all they possibly
could, honorably, TO arrange the matter; thew
lave offered what we all must look upon as
ialr compromise. Ina word, they have done
all they could for peace. Should war be the
it will be the fault of England.
md every man within our borders will, as in
lines of yore, buckle on his armor, to meet
'ur old foe. But we do not much apprehend
var. England would have entirely too much
o loose by the game. Full we'll she knows
hat her other possessions would, to say the
east it, be in imminent danger of being for
yer severed from her dominions. Besides a
occurrence to our pas: contests, both by land
nd by sea, will not afford her much encour-
cement for the future. The. frmness which
ne President has already exhibited, and
which, no doubt, will be sustained and affirm
d by Congress, will demonstrate to that
aughty power, that however she may brow
reat and dictate to the minor States of Eu-
oPe' such course will avail her nothing with
he United States. Viewing the whole ques- :
on calmly, We do not think that war will
row out of it.