Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-11-13

The National Inteiligencet alludes 10 the Ore
gon question as one which has been left almos,
altogether in the hands Of political theorists and
spectators, who, instead Of calculating the COS,
and the moral evil Of such conflict, are more
Intent on the amount Of political capital that
they can hope TO make from involving the coun-
try IN war with Great Britain, and the vas, "a
mount OF additional patronage it will secure for
their party.
This no doubt is very true. But these polni-
cal theorists and spectators are also political
leaders, and there is powerful party ready to ST.
cond them. These men are also shrewd observ-
ors OF the popular tendencies and impulses and
when Was there ever democracy that was not
prone TO war!
We have not concealed our apprehensions of a
crisis to be brought to forcibie arbitrament on
this very Oregon business. II was apparent
when the Occupation Bill came so near its pas
sage last winter; it was apparent when Mr.. Polk
delivered his inaugural Address-,hat the Ore
gon question might become the occasion of
rupture with England at the very next step our
Government might take on the subject. The
language OF the official paper tends to the same
thing. What do we hear now but the declara-
ton that England must give up all her claims to
the oregon, and give them up at once?
1t IS useless to indulge in expostulation in a
matter OF this kind. 1t is fact too well known
to be denied that denunciation of England is a
pleasing theme i'm the ears of the democracy.-
How II has become so we need not inquire. 1t
Is so. There would be no difficulty in settling
this Oregon question without war, and that too
In such way as to obtain for ourselves all that
we claim in that quarter. Yet the danger is im-
nInent that war will come. There are multi
tudes who desire it. There are crowds of rest
less adventurous persons who would rush with
avidity TO scenes Of strife; there are others fond
OF excitement and others fired with resentment
against England, and pugnacious by nature to
such an extent that nothing short of blows and
battles would suffice for them. And the most of
these have nothing to lose by war except life and
limbs, which they do not care much for.
Now the best that can be done under present
circumstances seems to be this; to present the
alternative of war as one likely enough to come,
and therefore requiring to be specially and care
fully regarded. Ii will be no child's play. Az
ter its severe realities shall have been suffered
for while, the instigators of the popular pas.
sions, the fomenters of strife, the provoke.s of
the war. may become the objects of popular o.
dun. They would do well to consider this now.
1t will not be brief war. The means to carry
1t on will have to be abundant, and the people
have TO furnish the same. 1t will turn out TO be
an expensive business, TO say nothing Of the loss
Of life, and after it is all over we shall probably
have Oregon, which we would have at any rate;
and California, which nothing can prevent our
having and possibly Canada, which we do not
want; and crop Of heroes, the raw material of
future Presidents, whose pretensons may prove
the source of discussions and conflicts that shall
scourge the Republic for years to come. 1t is
well enough to count the cost of an adventure
before entering on it.-BaH. I'm.