The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-05-17
From the Albany Argus.

From the Albany Argus.
ENGLAND. OREGON. AND THE UNITED STATES
THE COURSE OF OUR PRESIDENT
Will we have war with Great Britain seems to be
the question Of the day. We think not. The COM
mercial interests OF the two countries have become
too firmly welded to be easily broken up. That
mutually of benefits, which have arisen during a
long continuance of peace, is the best tie to hold to-
gether two such enterprsing nations England and
the United States. That feeling has been increasing
from year to year, until it has become more power
full than even the dictates of prime ministers OF
kings
Determined as is the language of Sir Robert Peel,
we apprehend warike results and whyi Be-
cause we have confidence that time and investigation
will prove the American title, as against the British
claim, q be right. Should light and examination
strengthen las We believe they willy the American
claim, there is moral power in the public opinion
Of the civilized world which would force even Eng
land to curb her assumption. 1t was that influence
which, in 1885, compelled France to fulfil her solemn
treaty stipulation, even when seemed inevitable,
between her and the United States. From year to
year the power of public opinion has been augment
ing, until it has nearly reached that point where
tons dare not 20 TO var, unless they can convince
the world that they hare right their side. Before
this tribunal the United States are willing to stand
They deem their cause SO just and right, that
stranger would be convinced that they are neither
rapacious nor unjust; but simply standing by their
own. A
When President Polk declared in his inaugural
that the American title to the Oregon Territory was
"cear and unquesonable," he spoke not in the Ian
guage of menace, but what has long been considered
truth, by nine-tenths of the American people, 1t
was the beating of the pulse of the popular heart to
which, the chosen representative of the nation he
gave embodiment. He spoke also in unison with
the whole course of American diplomacy which has
offered to yield an inch of Oregon, because it
was considered justly ours.
On the contrary, when the Prime Minister, in
the British Parliament, claimed all Oregon, he as
sumes, this question, far more than even the past
policy of England will justify. Did not Mr.. Cam
ming, well known true Englishman, and partic-
ularly resolute for the rights of his country, in
1926 offer to Mr.. Rush, minister, to cede TO the
United States nearly the whole country south Of
the 49th parallel of latitude, embracing an area Of
$50 900 square miles, and by far the most desirable
portion of Oregon? Is not this history The United
States Immediately rejected that offer, as implying
cession of their rights over the remainder of the
territory. Can any believe that, had England such
graspIng claims over all Oregon, as she now puts
FORTH Mr.. Canning would have ever offered to make
a surrender Never, never. The character of the
British policy-its well known determination never
to yield an inch where it has clear right-alike
forbids it.
The course of President Polk has been strictly in
unison with the past action Of our government 1t
par,akes not ofassumpton, because he asks nothing
more than our country has uniformly demanded for
twenty-five years. # requires no prophet to see
that the President will be sustained, heart and hand
with life and means, by the great masses in every
section of our country. On this question, there can
no party lines, for the people are with him. With
them it is not a question of the hour, but one
which has been watched for years, until, from the
mere speck no bigger than mans hand, it has
grown to cloud. Oregon has become deeply we'd
ded with the pulse of every American heart. II is
indissolubly associated with our future greatness
Our "people are already occupying it with their
wives and their children" And he little under
stands the character of our people, who supposes
that they will abandon "bone of their bone,
and Hesh of their aesh' to the tender mercies ofthe
British Crown.