Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1845-11-20
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NOVEMBER 20, l845

The OREGoN QUESTION. The me-
rits Of this great and now all-absorb-
ing question is being deliberately dis
cussed by the English and American
presses. The subject is discussed in
every aspect, as ii regards the priority
of title, chances of war, IFS consequent
ces, &c. Those of the American edi-
tors who have never supported their
government in It's difficulties with for
eign nations, and especially with Great
Britain, unqialihedIy denounce the po-
Icy sof the administration, in claiming
the right to occupy and extend the @gis
Of the laws of the United States over
Oregon Territory, as unjust toward
Great Britain, and that it viii result IL
the total destruction of the friendly re-
lations and commercial intercourse be-
tween the two countries. These Bri-
fish advocates do not pretend to argue
that our title to that part Of the territory
claimed by our government, viz: that
portion lying south of the 49th parallel,
is not better, or at least on an equal
footing with that set up by the British
government. Not at all. They do not
care what becomes of our claims upon
Oregon: preserve our friendly rela-
tions,' and save our commerce. is
their language. We must not maintain
our rights; for if We do, say they, the
British will go to arar acith US they
are more powerful than we are-give
up Oregon; give up everything : but
sore us from, the horrors Of acar,
There are others who are in favor Of
submitting the whole question to the
arbitration of some one or more of the
disinterested European powers. Bythis
method of disposing of the matter, it is
contended that the calamities of war
will be ayerted, while justice will be
done to the parties interested. If we
felt conscious that our government had
failed in clearly making outfits title to
Oregon-if shadow Of doubt rest
-
ed upon cur.mind, as to the justice of
the policy Of our government upon the
question-we would feel no hesitation
in submitting it TO the arbitration Of
some friendly and disinterested power.
But with our present understanding of
the matter, we are not willing TO graft |
fly the pride Of England, or to quell the
fears Of those American editors who
advocate their interests and sympathise
with them. Again, we are opposed,
at present, 10 settling the question in
this way, because, from the strong
sympathy, to say nothing of the royal
alliances, that exist between all the i'm
portant powers of Europe, the question
might possibly be decided against us.
We believe the territory to be justly
ours, and the policy of the administra-
ton with regard to it to be honorable
and patriotic, and we are therefore OPP
posed to ieopardising our claims, by
submitting to any measure that would
seem to imply that they are not found
ed in justice.
There are others, again, who are ia
yorably disposed to compromisingthe
matter. We look upon this PROPOSE
ton as being infinitely more objection
able than the one to which we Just re-
ferred. We haze not forgotten the
compromise IN the celebrated North
Eastern Boundary question. We are
opposed to any farther compromises. =
They are Pyrrus' victories to us /; and
few more of them will find us shorn
Of our territory-especially that which
is OaluabIe for fiIr-trading and other lu-
crative pnrsalts-to no lnconsiderable
extent It's moreover very well known
that Great Britain will not compromise
with US upon any terms unless she gets
all she claiIns, and that IS, all Of Ore
goa5 that is either valuu6le or desirable
vancopver's Island and the country
draiaed blythe Columbia river and It's