Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1845-06-21


in China are progressing. The British
Exchequer is full to repletion--its navy is
in admirable trim. Our steamers sweep
every sea; our means of transporting
troops, whether from Europe or from Asia,
were never more complete--more perfect.
There never was period in the history of
this country when it was better prepared
for war--never did question exist, not on
its abstract merits; but, because of its con
comitant swagger, on which less diversity |
Of opinion prevails, and with heart and |
soul would the derhicr resort be entered
upon and pursued.
We do not write in partizan spirit.
Nothing, heaven knows, should we regard
as greater national calamity than a rup-
turc with the United States; and we should
be sorry to say or do anything which
could in the remotest degree precipitate il.
| 1t is Observation-Disclosures to contem-
| plato such a contingency. The elements
| of society would be convulsed, commerce
would be swept from the ocean, and the
ties of interest, and even of consanguinity,
would be rudely snapped asunder. Upon
! England it would inAiCt all but irreparable
injury, and America would hardly suffer
less intensely. May SO fearful a consum-
nation be averted, in this crisis, it is not
unnatural that public feeling in America
should be watched with some anxiety. The
commercial classes can have no desire TO
fight Britain about the navigation of the
Columbia. The Northern States are iden-
tilted with the continuance of peace and
the progress of manufactures. The South
ern States would not like to sacrifice their
trade in cotton, tobacco and other produce,
for SO illusory an object. The brawlers in
the west may desire a row, from an inner
ent love of sport and mischief, or a thirst
for gain. But after all, the matter will
probably resolve itself into a contest for
political supremacy. If the President is
obstinate, and will concede nothing, the
party which elected him may feel bound
in consistency TO sustain him, and the voice
of the more sober and discreet portion will
probably be drowned in the avalanche. We
sincerely hope that discreet counsels will
prevail, and that both governments, con.
cedng something for the sake Of peace,
may bring the matter to a timely and salts
factory adjustment. But it is folly to blink
the fact, that the "black cloud in the west"
q to which Sir Robert Peel so portentously
j alluded, looks threatening, and may burst
, with devastating fury.
E With any country but America, war,
with all lis newly acquired horrors and i'm.
. proved instruments of destruction, would
E be fearful, yet speedy. But with such a
:, line of coast on the Atlantic and the bar
: rem waste in dispute on the Pacific side, it
. must, in the nature of things. be protracted
i Possession of the Oregon by an armed
:, force, would, of course, be the first, and
y the destruction of the Atlantic cities on
. the seaboard the second object Of British
. annoyance. But we pause, and sicken at
q the bare idea of evils so appalling, and
y yet so apparently immediate, resulting from
! the language of hasty and Incorporate
" man, raised, Unexpectedly, TO position ir
. which his capacity for making mischief
o appears to be the only capacity Of which
n he has yet, in the opinion of the Britishers
y given any proof. Unfortunately for oui
! sagacity, we foretold, in this journal, the
n very day, following the arrival of the Pres
4 ident's inaugural address, the hubbub tt
:, which his indiscreet remark on the Oregon
4 would give rise here, and our statement ha
. been verified TO the letter.
!, The probability Of a war with the Uni
- ted States occupies the public mind on The
" other side of the Atlantic, to the exclusion
= of every other topic. The arrivals from
:, the western world are looked 10 with alb
n sorbing interest
80 Payljamcnta1y-The British parliamen
y. meets on Monday after the Whitsun recess
>, This is the second division Of the session
:, The first terminated at Easter, and, like
- drama in three acts, the concluding ont
~ promises to be the most important. Ou
! relations with America may probably b
u, alluded to, but are hardly likely to be dis
~ cussed. The willy Minister will keep hi
- own councils, and allow members to floun
Il der as long as they may like in the water
!, of conjecture. In this respect, Amer lea
u" statesmen might, with advantage, take
=, useful hint from the cautious fact whic
n characteristics ministerial announcements j
~ ~ the British Parliament. Upon Mr. Polk tn
-, lesson would probably be lost but even
~ statesman so eminent as Mr. Calhou
~ could study in the school of diplomati
~ secrecy without any damage to his we
:" earned reputation. His speech on the Ore
=, gon bill, when it came before the Senate,
a. :" now going the ground" of the English pres
~ ~ and who knows but that the indiscreet dis
~ closures which he therein made, as to tn
y, policy of leaving the Oregon question
'' allegiance for some twenty years, whe
Americans would be able to hold it then
nc selves, may have furnished hint upo
= which the government is now acting,
10 pressing for q speedy settlement Of thi
ne vexed question.
10 LATER.
H.