The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-11-29
From the Philadelphia Ledger.
NOW is THE TIME.

The news from Europe is highly important to
this country and if the Federal Government are
wise enough to improve the opportunity now pre-.
sented, our for eign relations may be settled ON a
peaceful and permanent foundation We lost our
rights in the case of the Northeastern boundary,
through magnanimous forbearance. Let US not lose
them in the case of the Northwestern boundary by
throwing away any more of this virtue. And we
should throw 1t away upon the British Govern
ment During the various difficulties of that
government, from 1915 to 1910. produced by short
crops, financial revulsions Canadian, rebellions
and Irish discontens, and disturbance in mannfac-
turing districts, and diputes about reform bills,
we never insisted on a final settlement of the
Northeastern boundary; and the State of Maine
began, and very justly, to perceive that reliance
on itself was its only security against British en-
enactment; and accordingly it flew TO arms in
defence OF its own territory. This reused the
Federal Government to the necessity of action.
But the British then engaged in no other Difficult
Ties, made warllke demonstrations and the Fed
eral Government. instead of meeting them with
bold defiance, condescended to negotiate. And
through the negotiOns of President Tyler, Mr.
Mr.. Webster, Abbott Lawrence, and two or three
other politicians from Maine and Massachusetts
the country was jOckeyed out of its own territory
| and the British got what they had been seeking
since 1890, high road between Halifax and
Montreal
This affair shonld be an important lesson to the
| people of the United States. Now let them sig
| nifty to their government that no more territory
must he surrendered, and that is the most ia
vorable time for settling all existing controversies
! with the British Government. That rapacious
and perldlous government is in no condition to
quarrel with this country. Having difficult ques
| lions with France, threa tening questions with Ire
land, and manufacturing population in serious
danger of famine, and dependent on our granaries
for bread, it cannot embark in a war with us for
the sake of Oregon, and will sooner reinquish it
than provoke hostties. Peace is now the vital
principle of the British nation. A war would
shake it 10 its foundation.
But shall we take advantage of these Difficult.
ties to assert our rights Would not maonani-
nifty prescribe forbearance2 We answer that
such difficulties afford us the best or only oppor-
tunity for Obtaining justice When did the Brit
ish Government exhibit such magnanimily to any
other nation, and especially when to us? Never.
lis invariably policy, in dispute with another
nation. is TO urge il when in difficulty. Its inva
rable practice is TO respect the strong and trample
upon the weak. If then wait for justice till
1t is strong enough to give us the alternative of
war or submission, we shall neuer obtain Justice
We repeat that magnanimily is always thrown
away upon the British government that it never
| renders justice to any, excepting on compulsion
| Therefore let the Federal Government now insist
on the utmost Of our rights and let the people, by
public meetings signify to their authorities that
they expect nothing less. Let them proclaim to
the Executive and Congress, from all parts of the
Union, that they insist on the whole of Oregon,
| and the immediate extension of our laws over
every inch of the territory Will the citizens of
Philadelphia begin this movement