The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-23

4 II
that the real state Of public opinion is more a.
vorable 10 free trade than otherwise might be sup
posed. On the other hand, Sir Robert Peel has suf-
fcieny indicated his opinions IN favor Of the policy
and necessity of extending our commercial inter-
course as fhe only gssar0nfee Of iswe pyospeyfy
by the whole of his since he into Office TO
warrant belief that any proposal Uouid be Japoraby
received ehch had for It's object important md
the closely ceeating material interests and
those Of the United SiGtes Indeed, not only every
minister, but oh politicians of any weight whatever
in this country, phsiher IN office or opposition are
now agreed, II not as 70 the precise measures to be
adopted, yet as to the principles which should reg
ulate our policy, and to the point TO which all our
commercial acts should tend" y KS tiis bJ
| Thus would appear that Sir Robert Peel,
whose Protestant support is evidently failing might
count for support the friends Of the league, pro-
vided he will cement the mutual commercial interests
Of Great Britain and the United States question
which involves the only guarantee of the future pros
perity of England and therefore far important
than the possession Of Oregon, which is mere mat
ter of national pride and feeling. The Texas ques-
ton is no longer dwelt on, as virtually given up by
all European powers, But the journal Of the league
to give evidence of its sincerity, does not suffer this
opportunity pass by without paying just tribute
to the President and Secretary ofStae of the United
States for the judicous selection of new minis
ter to the cabinet of St. James:
'1here is moreover" says the Economist, San
other very important feature in the present combina-
ton of circumstances, peculiarly favorable to the
advancement of this object, (the greater commercial
intercourse, and the preservation of peace.) The
American President has selected representative to
this country who is, we believe, deeply imbued
with sense of the importance Of these questions
advancing commercial intercourse, and maintain
ing peace between the two countries. We are
fully sensible of the many excellent qualities of the
late American minister; but Mr. Everett was closely
identified with the party in America which has
most strongly contended for "a high protective
tariff and such, never in position to treat
with our government on the subject Of free trade.
On the other hand, Mr.. McLane comes with every
possible advantage for such an object. His er-
i ceiiency's (ths is the first time for a long time
that the American minister in London is called by
his proper tte) former residence in this country
secured for him the highest esteem Of all parties,
and Of no one more than of our present Foreign Min
lister, Lord Aberdeen.) He comes, moreover, no,
only the representative of government, but of the
party in America pledged to commercial freedom,
and tariff for the purposes Of revenue only. And,
what is Of still more consequence he is himself pos
of the strongest conviction of the truth and
wisdom of the opinions he represents. So that, as
far as the respective governments and ministers Of
the two countries are concerned, there was never,
at any former period, 90 happy combination for
favorable results 70 commercial negotiations" Il,
considerable good sense-free from thnt sided,
bigoted political jargon with which British argu-
ments on our institutions and politics are usually
interlarded. Then very properly returning to iis
own country, it continues:
! "Meantime, how do we stand At this moment
exists the most favorable combination Of circum-
stances which was ever presented TO this country
to consolidate friendly and mutually beneficial
intercourse with nation in many respects the most
important to us Of foreign nations On all hands, il
is admitted that with increasing population we
require larger permanent field for the supply Of
/ and of Ca
.4erica presents both. The position and the natural
pursuits of its population are, in all respects the
opposite of ours. That which we have in greatest
abundance, and of which our increased production
must mainly consist, is exactly what America re-
qures most; and that of which are alone def
| cient, and, as our population increases, of which
| our deficiency must become every year more and
| more urgent, is just what America possesses in
greatest abundance, and for the increased produce
ton of which their resources are unbounded. In
each country, there is everything the other requires
each finds in the other an almost pressing demand
for its surplus products, and the of supply
ing most benefcialy all its wants. Thus circum-
stanced, minister arrives from the United States,
believe, fully authorized to treat with our gov.
eminent in fair, liberal, and enlightened spirit II
is then for US to seize so great opportunity, not
only permanently to benefit commerce, but, al
the time, 10 consolidate, BY mutually good Offices
the peace Of the Western World. Let us not forget
the blunder we committed when Prussia came to us,
consequences
which have arisen from the rejection of those over
lures. Prussia, which has always been the most
liberal and the most influential German state is now
overpowered by the interest created in that country
directly by our restrictive system Of protection, and
no longer able to resist the demands for system
OF protection which she deems mischievous and in
furious A similar process has already commenced
in the United States and made considerable prog
ress fortunate opportunity presents itself TO en-
able us to arrest that progress before il acquires an
uncomfortable strength. Ii now rests with this
country and this government 10 adopt RI pct the
offered boon. We believe we may safely say, the
American government is ready to do its part"
have purposey quoted SO extensively, TO show,
first the substantial ground for my belief, express
ed from the beginning that the declaration Of Sir
Robert Peel about the Oregon Territory, followed as
i was Immediately by the disparagement Of that
territory in the ministerial journals was intended
mainly to obtain from America better commercial
terms--perhaps offer to settle the Oregon ques-
ton by the new tariff The British government is
evidently prepared for il, and the influential portion
Of the community still more SOFAS is conceded by
all the respectable journals Of the country. Sir
Robert Pee's political sins are only pardoned by
the majority Of his own party on account of the |
healthy financial condition to which his adminstra-
ton has restored the country, and which his meas
ures thus far tend to in future. II is there
fore most probable that Sir Robert Peel will eagerly
seize upon any proposition to settle the Oregon
question, or any other question that may be pend /
ing between America and England, by q compro- /,
mise which shall benefit commerce, and, by that
means, at least indirectly, the British treasury. I'll
Oregon be mere question Of national feeling and
honor, any tender on the part of the United States
must satisfy Great Britain while the intrinsic vnue
Of that tender will, by all intelligent men, be meas
ured much rather by the certain immediate benefits
it bestows upon the country, than by the remote
and doubtful ones which it leaves in prospect. Eng
land is in this respect like old man who is UNI
willing to engage in an ENTERPRISE upon time be- 1
canse Of the uncertainty of ever enjoying ts benefits
The future belongs to us--to the younger Of the |
two and England knows it. To no other nation
but to us is Oregon Of any value. England's com.
merce and manufactures main props OF her ex-
istence-would not be whit increased by its pos
session; and even a formal cession on the part Of
the United States could not permanently secure to
her its tenure. If Canada be already reckoned
among the uncertain, and on that account expensive,
possessions Of Great Britain, how much more would