The New York herald., 1845-11-13
Position and Policy of the Wings.


the country Is endeavorng 10 find out its natural
position and true policy. This is equally true in
ference to religious secs, to society, to financial
cigues, and particularly political parties and fac
tons Setting aside Tor the present all others, let
us look at the present position and policy OF the
wing party, and estimate fpossble, their prospects
for the future. That party is in the veiy crisis OF
It's destiny, and if it put itself in wrong position
and take wrong direction, the fatal error will
be felt for many years to come.
What is now the position and the probable course
o he whig party? Since the defeat of IS44-pro-
duced not much by the strength of their oppo-
nents, as by the divisions and jeaouses of specula
tive notions of the wings themseves-the great body
OF the party, with all their leaders, have been very
quiescent. The elections that have taken place
that time, have hardly decided anything posi-
tive. But there seems now to be disposition in
the great body of the whig leaders and the whig
press, to assume a position in the opening OF the
next session of Congress, which fraught with the
greatest importance. We can gather what the policy
of the whg leaders and the whig party itself may be
only from the declarations of their orators, pollt-
clans andnewspapers. Now, looking over the broad
field, we find that Mr.. Webster has taken up in Bos-
ton, very singular position that question, which
is going TO be the paramount one for many years to
conceive allude to the Oregon question. He seems
to be decidedly in favor of the British clam and
only the British claim, but he makes bold declara.
tion equivalent to the giving up the whole ofthe
rory 10 any set of adventurers, without regard the
feelings, wishes, desires of the great masses of
this republic, who undoubtedly are favorable to
the retention OF the whole of the western territory
down to the waves of the Pacific. The general po-
hey advocated by Mr.. Webster, who is a master
spirit of the whigs will, undoubtedly, form the prn-
cipal groundwork OF their action in the ensuing ses
sion OF Congress. This policy, 1t would also appear
seems to be supported and sustained by the whig
journals in this part OF the country. II must be ac-
knowledged, however, that If we are TO Judge from
the developments made by the whig press in Ken
lucky, there ls disposition the mind OF Mr. Clay
not TO 90 so far in opposition to the retention of the
whole OF the Oregon territory as Mr.. Webster has
already skeched out. But how tar Mr. Clay may
be able 10 overcome the impulses of Mr. Webster on
this question, seems to us to look questionable as he
is busted among the bowers of Kentucky
mending his fences and attending TO his cattle in
stead OF splrltng up the energies of the whig party
at Washington and throughout the country
According TO all appearances, therefore, the wing
party, led on by Mr.. Webster, and the whig press
In this part of the country will make prodigious-
furious--a tremendous onset on the admnstra-
ton OF Mr.. Polk--ln opposition to the Oregon poll
cy, sketched out IN his inaugural address, and SUBJ
sequeny, we expect il will be, in his forthcom-
ing message The collision of the two great par
ties on this question will bring forth the general
sentiment Of the country, and there can be no doubt
IN mind, that the Oregon fever and the Oregon
enthusiasm will far outstrlp and soon overwhem
all the opposition that can be brought against it, Ii
is idle to talk, as they may do in their narrow com
mercial streets of few Of the commercial cities.
about the inuity of possession OF the Oregon ter
rltory, and the worthessnes of that region in COM
parision to the continuance of peace. There is
sentiment of ambton-an impulse of progress-a
passion for rounding off the whole of this great re-
public TO the farthest extremitles of the west that
will never give way or be overpowered by CONNER
cial motives or financial Influences The conse.
queuce, therefore, of the whig party making an
especial opposition TO the administration of Mr.
Polk, on the ground of Oregon, will be to produce
a war panic-a prodigious-a tremendous war panic
IN less than six months, and consequent depres-
sion in all those various commercial and speculative
operations which are just beginning to spread their
sails to the breezes of prosperity throughout the
country.
Another result would be, in the event of any war
fever prevailing by such collision in Congress- the
setting aside of all idea of amending and reducing
the tariff or any other domestic questions which
may come up before Congress. If there is to be
difficulty between England and the United States,
on the Oregon question, there must be some prepa-
ration on the part of our government, involving
vast expenditures for the increase of fleets and ma
vles, and terrifying the seapors and harbors andfor
the creation of steam fota, and for various 9TH
er systems of defence, which will call for money in
large masses. Such demands will, necessarily, pre-
vent the dimlRuion of the tariff, rather calling for
its incre ase, if that could augment the revenue
Ia this point OF view, therefore, far regards the
manufacturing constituents, and supporters and ad-
vocates of Mr.. Webster, or the whig party the
panic which they are about to raise in Con-
gress, will be favorable to their manufacturing and
financial purposes. In another aspect, if they are
connected With the great stock k-obbing cges, their
operations for the fall of stocks will enable them
again to make nay while the sun shines.
These are some of the peculiar financial and COM
merclal views and results that may grow out of the
new position OF the wings, under the leadership 0,
Mr Webster at the approaching session of Congress
But there Is one point OF view in which this move
ment may be regarded, showing in a conclusive
manner, that ii must have originated with men OF
shallow brains and narrow intellect If the whig
party in the approaching session of Congress endea
vor TO get up war panic on the Oregon question,
according to the programme of Mr. Webster and
several OF the ock.obbing journals in the large ci-
ties, they will be defeated and demolished as efiec-
tualy they were by General Jackson on the ques-
ton Of The United States Bank In fact, there is a
great resemblance between the present position Of
he whig party and that which they occupied in
1879 80, when General Jackson first broke ground
against the United States Bank. AT that period OF
eur political history the bank question produced lit
tie excitement and little controversy BY concili-
atory and wise policy, 1t is highly probable that the
United States Bank might have received the re-
newal OF Its charter, with the concurrence of
General Jackson But the SPECTATORS and un-