The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-13

ffesident OF u powerful repuonc. I1aN"S ioi'ou
to settle this boundary line by generous compro-
mise, all that can be done is TO throw ourselves
upon our original rights. This is done. lie re-
commends Congress to extend over Oregon laws
adequate to the protection of our citizens emigra
ting and residing there, and the establishment ana
maintenance of our sovereignty. In assuming ms
position he relies upon the patriotism and hrmness
of the people As an American citizen, he is ready
10 defend every foot Of our terroryi as an Amer
lean President, lac expects the support of the coun
try. He cannot be deceived. His disposition is
not for war; he desires peace, but he will not permit
the honor and interests of the Union to be tempered
with. His maxim is the which always gov
erned and sustained "Old Hickory" in dealing with
foreign nations-"he will ask nothing but what is
clearly right, and submit to nothing that Is wrong"
From the Boston Morning Post.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
The clear, concise, and admirably prepared in
augural address of President Polk, and his we'll
known frmness and soundness Of principle, raised
high expectations in the American people respecting
the annual message We have document that not
only meets them, but must even exceed them. II
is paper worthy Of state sman Of chaste scholar
ship, of sound American principles, and true
American heart. II is dignfed in manner, up to
the mark OF the occasion, and firmly announces
principles that ought to be responded to by the uni
ted voice of the nation.
The occasion that calls for unusual executive ac-
ton, so far as it respects foreign relations, is
peculiar one. How stand the two leading Euro
pean powers in relation TO this country' Both OF
them, through accredited agents. have been openly
interfering with our affairs. Great Britain has done
all that diplomatic intrigue could do to keep Texas
out of the Union, and is now disposed to do all that
bluster can do to fch Oregon from us; and even
France, our ancient ally, having "a common inter-
est with us in maintaining the freedom of the seas
has, In the Texas business joined with the British.
A..I .lA - L. L.. Id
that European governments ought TO apply their
European ideas touching balance of power to the
American continent, in order that the tide Of re-
publican freedom be stayed. The American peo-
pie have rejected, in many primary meeting, such
pretensons. They have done their part And now
President Polk, acting as their organ-as the tribune
of the nation--has given their voice the pc.
tency of official power He tells the Euro
pean intemeddlers that their interference in the
Texas question has received "a peaceful and
efficient rebuke;" and that from this exam
pie European governments may learn how vain
diplomatic arts and nrigues must ever prove
upon this continent, against that system of sef-gov
eminent which seems natural to our soil, and which
will ever resist foreign interference" He tells them
that though this country wishes peace, and will do
much for peace, yet 1t "cannot in silence permit any
European interference on the North American CONT
nent and should any such interference be attempted
will be ready to resist it at any and all hazards
He declares to them, reference to the future that,
while the "existing rights Of every European nation
should be respected" yet il is "due alike to our
safety and our interests that the efficient protection
of our laws should be extended over our whole ter
rilorial limits and that 1t should be distinctly an
nounced to the world our settled policy that no
future European colony or dominion shall, with our
consent be planted orestablished onany part of the
North American continent"
Here American President reads correct and
necessary and noble lesson on international law to the
legirimiss Of the Old World. Twas in substance,
announced years ago by of the revolutionary
stock Of statesmen. But over the water they had
forgotten 1t, or viewed it dead letter. Il is now
renewed, with additions, and enforced by arguments
drawn from experience, and given with dlrcctness
and meaning that will not soon be forgotten Let
European governments understand fully that they
are part and parcel Of solid American international
law, made such by the American people, and will
not be reseinded. They apply not only to the ques-
tons of to-day respecting Oregon and Texas, but
also to future Texas or Oregon questions Wo be-
tide the American statesman who shall recede one
iota from this glorious American platform
The questions TO which these principles are made
to applying: the Texas question and the Oregon
question-are treated in clear concise, and frank
manner. But no one ought to rely on an abstract
of them, but to read them at length, and Judge for
himself President Polk recommends, as to Texas,
that the union of the two nations be consummateJ
by the admission of the latter upon an equal foot
ing with the original States" and gives strong rea-
sons why this should be done promptly. Few, but
heated partisans reckless fanatics, will question
the propriety of this recommendation. And when
this noble measure is completed, it will stand forth,
not the victory of powerful people over reuc-
tant people, but, the President finely remarks, as
'thc deliberate homage Of each people to the great
principle Of our federativc union"
On the Oregon question the message is clear and
calm, but firm and decisive. President Polk has
begun to retrieve the errors Of past dpomatiss, 10
recalling some of their concessions. II is true that
he has offered again. and for the sake of settling the
question amicably, to establish the boundary line at
the fortyninth degree of north latitude, b ,oihoui
Offering to surrender to Great Britain hoo preceding
administrations had done, SHE free navigation Of The
Columbia river" But the administration have Of
fered to make free to Great Britain any port or
ports on the Cape of Quadra or Vancouver's island,
south Of the parallel. This was rejected and the
message informs the nation that no compromise can
be effected. II says:
''The extraordinary and wholly inadmssble de-
mands of the British government, and the rejection
of the propositions made in Difference alone TO what
had been done by my predecessors, and the implied
obligations which their acts seem to impose afford
satisfactory evidence that no compromise which the
United States oughtto accept, can be effected With
this conviction, the proposition Of compromise
which had been made and rejected, was by my d.
rection subsequently Withdrawn, and our title to the
whole Oregon territory asserted, and, as is believed,
''The civilized world will see in these proceedings
a spirit Of liberal concession on the part Of the
United States; and this government will be relieved
from all responsibility which may follow the failure
to settle the controversy"
President Polk recommends that provision be
made by law to give to Great Britain notice to termi
nate the joint occupancy Of this territory and that
"beyond all question: the protection Of our laws and
jurisdiction, civil and criminal, ought to be extend
ed over our Oregon citizens. He recommends the
establishment of suitable block-houscs and forts, to
protect the hardy pioneer in his work of subdung
the wilderness. These are decisive recommenda-
tons They will bring the Oregon question to de-
cisive issue. Although, if no compromise can be
effected, and il Great Britain chooses to assert her
jurisdiction over Oregon, there must be resistance,
yet President Polk hopes "in this enlightened age
that these differences may be amicably adjusted"
In all this there is neither menace nor rapacty it
is firm, frank, American language. It is as do
cdcd in relation to Great Britain as the patriot
jackson was in relation TO France. The British gov
eminent may continue TO bluster, and may threaten
war; but recognising in such language and recon-