Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-05-10
THE. OREGON QUESTION.

[rae~ Tur nA,Ir SarIaxAI ,srsLLIc gxcrn sAr7.l
Ii was not without reason, when the other day
we called the attention Of our readers to the at
ength-acknowedged fact Of the establishment OF q
government press, dependant for its existence on
the Executive viii, that foretold-however re-
pugnant the idea of press so situaed--that the
admission of the fact would be found to place the
country and the interests Of public freedom,
ference to Presidential power, on better footing.
We who watch that power can now oblige it TO
speak outs and, when il has spoken, we can force
it TO stand to what il has said. We have at last a
known responsibility, like that Of Ministers the
floor Of the British House of Commons who,
when pressed with questions as to what the Govern
ment designs in any matter Of serious concern,
must come forward, let the public into their coun-
sells. or show sufficient why they cannot /;
and in word, give plain and straight account OF
what they are about. This we had not been able
to drag out Of the previous irregular organs Of the
shall continue to do it,
We have, in word by our last article on that
question which has spread such alarm through the
moncyed and commercial interests of the country
the Oregon question-extored from the govern
ment paper a distinct avowal that1he negotiation
with England on that matter is to proceed-anusf
proceed. On this subject the views Of the Admin
istration expressed in article in the Union"
Of Monday night as follows:
"TaK OaraoS NKeorIrrIoS. The National InieIli-
gencer Of this morning might very well have saved itself the
necessity of reading its long holy the Administration and
the people We do understand that the Executive of the
United States have any intention of closing the door to ANY
negotiation with Great Britain upon the Oregon question, and
therefore, might suppose that all the nrsnces which the
National Inegencer draws from supposed violent ground
that the United States or nstance) cH negotiate upon
such course leaving the alternatives Of
and all the dcnuncaons which gattously pours forth
upon the shocking absudy and the barbarous doctrine that
we ought negotiate, (Which the National Incgencer
attributes Of the Repubcsns and that thus we
vivc that old umprage Of private rghtshe tager Of BAT
IHe'--are entirely misplaced.
We certainly do not understand that the negotiation about
Oregon is al an end or that Administration is determine
ed or willing 10 terminate that there is prospect Of
amicaly adjusting the dispute that must necessarily
end breaking up the peace Of the two great countries We
necessity therefore, Of Analysing the triple alternative
which The National ntegencer pleased to make out in its
elaborate article Of column and half We yetust
that te may forward to its peaceful and reasonable
decision and in spe too Of all the unnecessary menaces
o. the British Ministers and all the busengs Of the London
Journals
Of giving its gatuous and superuous advice TO
our oaone we should have been better pleased TO the
Saona nse''genccr coming with the expression Of its
own opinions on the question itself We should have been
ucn oe'er satisfied to have the National In,ellgenccr
indicating the just claims Of our own country against the
assaults and arguments Of British tongues and British pens
and still hope to that journal thus employed and no,
again. in the Of Texas commencing The rights and
the interests Of our own country.
We congratulate the country on this assent, how.
ever tardily yieded, and however nneraciously
conveyed, to propositions that could neither be de-
lnied nor evaded. We cali upon the people, then,