Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-12-04

diiioa Of the world, any European nation should
entertain tho projectof seitling colony on the
North West Coast Of America; that the United
States should form establishments there, with
views Of absolute territorial right ard inland com
mancaton, is only 20 be expected. but y point
ed our BY the finger Of nature and has been for
Yeas subject Of serious deliberation in Congress.
"A necessary consequence Of this state Of things,
will be, that the American continent hencesorth,
will no longer be subject to COLONIZATION by an
Europeon power. "--Ps6. Doc. p 26, ~.
In 1926, HEsRY CLAY, then Secretary Of State,
officially announced bis opinion. in these words -
Nor 10 il conceived, that Great Britain has, or
can make out even colorado title to an, portion
OF the Norihwest Coast"
But iii DO, our purpose to go into any detailed
examination Of our title here-bu, merely 10 reaf-
firm the conclusion Of our mind, and to ndi-
cate The sources generally from which our title is
derived.
And we here defy the production OF one eminent
and distinguished name in American History who
has ever, in he correspondence Of diplomacy, in
the Halls of Congress, before the People, deni-
ed our title the whole OF thar territory. 1t is
true, there have been eminent and patriotic men
who have been willing, for the sake OF Peace, to
compromise with Great Britain at the 49th paral-
lei of latitude, but no American Statesman can be
cited, who has ever questioned our title up to the
Southern limits of the Russian possessions in at-
tude 81 deg Csrta in it is that title is no bet
ter to the 49th deg than it to the Sd deg Of lati.
tude. II all rests upon the same grounds.
The United States have in times past shown We
ry laudable disposition to avoid the extemites OF
war and to compromise this question upon some
satisfactory basis. The last offer we believe was
in 1927, when Mr.. Clay was Secretary of State
1t is proper here to remark that in making these
offers, oul Government yielded the question of
r,gkf, though conserving to compromise. The oil.
fer Of Me- Clay, and his predecessors, was to divide
the territory al latitude 40 degrees, that is to extend
through to the Pacific Ocean, the line which separ-
ates the American and British Possessions on this
side Of the Rocky Mountains. The offer however,
was coupled wifh tkis condition, that, if not then
accepted, 1t was TO be considered withdrawn and
the United States would fall back on their claims
mot TO be considered prejudiced by the oer) to the
rloie territory. This proposition was not acceded
to by the British Ministry.
The proposition Of our Government, however
wise, iudcious and unexceptionable eighteen years
ago, Is not therefore necessarily SO now. Events
within that period, have given new aspect to this
whole question, and the whole merits Of the con-
troversy. And we greatly mistake the far reach
ing sagacity, the comprehensive patriotism and
tho intrepid s,atesmanship Of HssRr CLAr, if he
would repeat that rejected offer we're he now en-
trusted with The management Of this question.
But we have not time to go into the thousand
views of this great subject which press themselves
upon our mind. God forbid, that there should be
a war between two such civilized and enlightened
Nations as the United States and Great Britain
Blu, il all the constituted powers of our Government
shall assert our title to Oregon. as part of this
Confederacy; and if for such assertion ofo title,
Great Britain shall land her myrmidons upon our
Coast, we are prepared to say again THAT WE WILL
STAND by the Government Of our Country, COME
VEAL OR CONE WOE.
But we have no fear that Great Britain will be
guilty Of such folly, madness, wickedness and stu
pidity. To her, the Oregon territory is of but com
parstive importance; to u.s. it is of vital and start
ling consequence. The mind isfred with enthusiasm
when we contemplate this great Republic. stretch
ing from the Atlantic the Pacific, closely united
by those two greatest discoveries Of Modern Science,
the Railway and Steam Power-snd commanding,
by our Western proximity, the vast and ilmitable
commerce of the countless millions who inhabit
Asia and the islands of the Pacific.
But we have but glanced at this great Subject.
1t swels in importance as we contemplate it. We
will take some further occasion of expressing our
views more fully upon it.
We shall conclude by expressing our regret at
the signature which this writer has assumed He
is it is true Wing, and ne has a right to style
himself. But it may lead to the impression that
he speaks the sentiment. Of the Wing party of this
County. THIS WE DO NOT BELIEVE. But few in
the County, of either party, have yet turned their
atenton to this question, and we feel but little hes
iaion in stating it opinion, that when this
subject shall be fully canvassed before the People
o. Berkeley (as it must be) that there will be
found an overwhelming majority to take their stand
by the side OF THEIR COUNTRY, in this controser-
sy.