The New York herald., 1845-11-10
The Oregon Question-The Approaching
Crisis.

question approaching crlsls-a point of interest
that will agitate the whole civilized world before it
NAV be determined There can be no mistake in
the signs Of the times A new age is dawning on
the civilized world, and era is Just breaking
in upon the policy of nations The Texas question
was merely the breaking ground towards the Ore
gon question. The Oregon question is now the pa
ramount topic of the day, and in a short time all the
statesmen, orators, public speakers, writers and
journalists both in Europe and America, will be full
OF il, in all its varied aspects and all its conse-
quences
We have already gwen several intlmations of the
course of policy which is about TO be pursuedsby the
President IN the opening session of Congress. The
Developments already made in that matter through
the columns of the Washington Un,on cannot be
misunderstood. There can be no question but Mr..
Polk, in his message, will take the same strong,
broad, independents American ground, which he
assumed in his inaugural address, and which excit
ed to such extent the sensitive feelings of the
British people and the British government
Renewed evidence of this disposition,
the part of the President and his Cabinet has
been furnished In recent numbers of the same
journal; and we another article on the
question IN this days paper. In addition to this, we
see the great leaders of cques and parties throughout
The country beginning to give forth their opinions on
the same subject. Wegive also in this days paper
most remarkable and able speech, delivered by Mr..
Webster in Fanueil Hall, the same subJect-a
speech defining his ground on the Oregon question,
and apparently taking up position in anticipation
that may be hostile TO the President on that mpor
tant question Mr.. Webster seems to adopt the line
of policy which was sanctioned by resolution OF
the Senate twenty years ago; that is, he is willing
to divide the Oregon territory by the 49th degree OF
latitude, and this position in opposition too to that
OF the President, is probably taken in order to unite
the stock-lobblng, commercial and financial IN
terests OF the country, who very hostile to any
position on that question which might endanger the
peaceabe relations Of this country with England.
In the south, and particularly through the columns
oi the Charleston Mercury, we see intimatlons OF
similar posltIon but whether it represents Mr.. Cal
houn's opinions, not, is a matter OF much doubt.
Indeed, think it does not represent the views and
sentiments of the great southern statesman From
all these lntlmaons however, it is evident that the
Oregon question going to be the great prominent
question of the day, and that all the old issues that
have separated parties and provoked discussion, will
be buried in oblivion and forgetfuness
This question is decidedly of paramount impor-
II is the great question of the day. Ii is the
important starting point from which this country
will spring into boundless empire and boundless
future. There can be doubt that the time is APP
preaching, and that the day is farther off
when great conflict between the principles of re-
publican and monarchical government must take
place in some shape another on the broad bosom
Of the Atlantic. The prosperity and happiness, and
progress OF tls country and of the institutions which
have made il what it is, regarded by the higher
classes Of Europe with envy, dread, and the deep
est concern. Ehe military and naval movements
II England and France-the sudden coalition of
Ihese governments-the doubt and mystery which
surround their policy IN regard TO this country-the
bold declarations OF Gulzot of an Intervention in
American affairs, and the practical application Of
that principle on a small scale to the South American
republics, all tend to show that something is medl
tated on the other side Of the Atlantic of physical
character, calculated to stop the progress and dest
ny of this country the possession of the whole OF
the continent If the United States, IN addition to
monopoly Of all the cotton lands of any value in
the world, should, in process Of time, occupy the
whole of the Oregon and all California, with its fine
harbor, and if Mexico should fall INTO the bosom of
the republic with all It's rich mines, where would be
the power OF England and the influence of Europe,
in opposition 10 the mighty empire that this country
would then present
The annexation of Texas-now nearly complete,
and which will be completed at the next session Of
Congress-was the preliminary sep-the breaking
ground in this great democratic movement. The
declaration that the whole of the Oregon territory
between 42 degrees and 81 degrees 40 minutes, be-
longs to the United States, is the next step, and it
may bring us into collision with England before a
year be passed and gone In this step, it is now
certain, the American government will persist
When this step s completed, new era breaks upon
the people OF both continents, and it may be as well
TO prepare the minds OF the present generation for
one OF the mghtlest conflicts of physical power that
ever shook the earth-a conflict which involves the
progress OF the human race-the destiny of freedom
and the future progress of civilization over the
whole OF this continent and over the whole OF the
globe Twenty years ago, the Senate of the United
states, then branch of government representing
only probably ten millions of people, willing TO
take the 49th degree of latitude; but now when we
are probably twenty-five millions of people, and in
lew years will be thirty millions of ardent men,
possessing one OF the richest countries in the world
with intelligence equal to that OF the most highly
civilized nations, we will hardly be content with
permitting England to enjoy foot of that soil on
the Pacific Ocean. In party point of view, this
movement of the President at Washington will give
new aspect to the approaching session of Con-
gress and to the discussion of all the questions that
may agltate that body. If we should be suddenly
brought into conflict with England, all the domestic
questions will be considered of little importance,
and be settled according to circumstances. The
tarlfi-the finances-and all other questions, will
snk into lnsignlficance. A powerful effort will be
made In the Atlantic Cities and by the stock -obbng
journals, TO oppose this bold and determined policy
OF the President; but the whole Of the mighty West,
with all the masses of the people in the Atlantic
States, we have no doubt will come out and support
his administration through and through
The excitement on this great topic has already
begun in Wall street amongst the stockholders and