Mobile register and journal., 1845-11-18

s.S!ml we have war with Great Britain?'' The
magnitude Of this inquiry is full OF the highest gray
ty anu broadcast interests, as war with two OF The
most powerful nations could not fail 10 bring with il
train oil consequences that would agitae MI hris
| tendon. War between this country and Greai
BrIlain at the present unclure, would in all human
probability, draw into the struggle other nations,
and the contest before terminated, would not be one
alone resting upon the disputed territory but strug
gle for The balance Of power between the old and
| new world. Europe is evidently becoming jealous
| Of the growing Importance .. this country. and
watches with more than ordinary vigilance, the en-
| argement oil territorial limits and the spread of
Tree principles, and the steady and onward march OF
| our nation power and greatness. To check this
progress would not be Inconsistent with the interest
of tlanic powers, nor at variance with ee
ing that occasionally shews itself through the lead
| ing Journals the other side Of the water.
| War commenced, the Oregon question will
be lost sight Of, and The struggle will be. shall the
people govern themselves or shall they be governed
crowned headsl To this end, il is reasonable
inter that contest with Great Britain will tend
If such then IS likely to be the ultimate result
| growing out of our pending claims about Oregon, ii
behooyes those interested with the affairs of the
ton 10 call into requistion the coolest judgment and
the wses, counsels false step, an indiscreet
move, or foolish expression, might, in the present
irrilated stale oil public feeling, involve millions of
treasure with millions of lives and perhaps the very
destiny of our country.
View the question as il now stands President
Polk asserts without qualification, "the clear and
unquestionable title Of this country TO Oregon."-
SIR Robert Peel speaking AS the organ Of the Brit
ish Government, calmly meets the declaration by as
sorting that Great Britain has claims TO the same
country which ,ciH be maintained. There Can be
sort ofquesion about the sincerity with which our
President spoke. nor can there he any about SIR
Robert Peel, and the settled determination Of their
respective governments to sustain at all hazards the
claims sci up by each.
4 ant lima cd IA
claims could be harmonsed by negotiation. As far
as we have any light upon the subject, negotiation
has left the question where negotiation found it. The
United States still stands out for all that was claim
ed by Messrs. Rush and Galiatin in 1878, and
Great Britain Yields nothing that was commended Tor
at the same period by her ministry, Messrs Hus-
kisson and Addingion. 1t would seem, alter many
wears negotiation, that The claims Of the two
tries to Oregon are WIDELY rrecohcileable. and
thai there is little hope that either party will, after
the bold and firm stand taken, be disposed 10 re-
cede from their positions. Both are proud nations,
and equally tenacious of their rights as they uuder
stand them, and equally sensitive about national hon
or and with ali the horrors OF protracted war
staring them in the face, will hazard every thing
before compromising di either of right or honor
Many imag inc that Great Britain, before embroi-
ing herself in a war with the United States, to be
ended when and where no man can tell will with
draw her pretentions to Cregon--thai her minister
will take back what he spoke before The world
SUCH course IS not ~ cnaracueT WIN
nv OF Great Britain. While wisdom and prudence
for the most part prevail her deliberations and
she is generally cautious in language and discreet IN
act ion. yet instance is recolleced upon the
page Of her history when after fully committing her
self at home and abroad in terms strong and not to
be misunderstood that for the sake of peace and
prosperity she reraesd her steps and recalled her lam
gusge. If in this instance soand policy would re-
commend il. her unbending pride would forbid IT, 9
On the other hand, the President Of this Republic,
backed and sustained as he unquesionably is, by at
least nine Of the penpe Of this country in his
.iews upon the justice Of our claims to Oregon, will
certainly in his annual message reierate and reai-
firm all he said in his inaugural address, accompa-
med perhaps by some recommendations To Congress
of II practical character which VIII shew that he
means what he says. The democratic party is aow
largely in the ascendant IN Congress, and it is be-
eved that Mr.. Polk is very unlike President Tyler
in respect TO the fidelity OF his party attachments,
and that his party will be very apt TO carry into ei-
feet any suggestion that he may make.
If we 10 judge OF the tone Ofh message from
the loreshadowlngs Of his organ, we may expect 10
see displa,e in il good deal Of the hrmness ofOld
Hickory, and his determination TO stand by his
country and never compromise her rights or hon.
or be the consequences what they may. II Oregon
of right belongs to this country. 1t 10 matter Of lit
lie consequence what its value is; this country
should claim il and possess ii, cost what it may
The question between us and Great Britain is not
question Of dollars and cents, but purely question
Vi right, and that man has not an American heart IN
his bosom when the right and honor Of his country
are attacked, who will stop to count the cost. II, TO
maintain what we honestly believe is ours, we have
10 fight. Mr. Cass is right, "hat il is better 10 fight
for the first inch Of ground than the last" In a
struggle of this sort, the United States will know no
party distinctions Every man. woman and child
WILDE on side--the side Off common country,
prepared 10 share a common destiny.
Great Britain, with that providence OF action SO
peculiar 10 all her movements, is evidently taking
time b, the forelock aud preparing to meet any sud-
den requislion that may be made upon her strong
arm Of defence. A rupture with this country Is evil
denlIy anticipated; aud indeed, in the present rea
lion Of things il is difficult To imagne how diploma
cy or negotiation can reconcile these conflicting
claims so broadly sci up by both parties and SO
boldly maintained by The heads Of the two govern
ments
!, is obvious thai the United States and Great
Britain would 70 10 war only because war soad aot