The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-11-05
POLITICAL.
From the Buffalo Daily National Pilot.
\ nrIoNl WITH ENCI AMI


| OUR RELATIONS WITH ENGLAND.
| Public opinion and the attention Of the press seem
more and more concentrating, Just now, upon the
Oregon question. Those who have scofied, begin
to look earnestly at the features OF the case,
and TO suppose after all, that they have been guilty
Of both folly and weakness.
The late history Of this question, among US, is
both curious and Instructive. A contemporary says,
"The Oregon question, or dispute, after partial
calm Of FIVE or Six months, has the appearance Of
coming up again, portentous of a Storm" Yes; and
whence came this spartial calmw II was solely
the result of inesse and false pretences the part
Of the British government by which the press of
this country but too generally deceived, and so
mislcd the nation. Again and again, during the
'calm Of FIVE or six months, have we called aiten-
ton to the warlike preparations of England all
around us, and urged this, with other reasons, for
our opinion that the apparent quiet was deceiiful
one, artfuly devised to gain time Of us in prepara-
ton. In this felt fully justified, upon the farther
ground that no radical change had taken place in
the features of the question ITSELF and that England,
with all her proesscd moderation, after Sir Robert
Peel's speech, had nowhere receded from the posi-
tons that ministers there officially assumed. For
this COURSE and the free expression of these views,
we were both blamed and scofled at by papers
which no,c begin to discern the true features of this
question, and the agency through which they have
been led asfray. We arc glad they see Alright at
last, though precious time has been lost in the mat
| ter.
The British preparations for hostili,ies, both by
sea and land, and which, from their very nature,
could have reference only to Interpretations which
have been dcrided as unreal, when pointed out and
explaned-beg finally, to be seen and admitted by
more of the American press. The New York Com
mcrcial Adveriser---a paper sufficiently blind 10
England's faults--in speaking Of the question be-
fore us, says.
"Another fact is, that very considerable military
Il. Ill
| the British government The English papers have
told of these in part; and we know that the activi-
ty of warlke preparation has not been limited TO
| the United Kingdom An officer of our navy, high
in rank could TELL If he would, Of the extensive mil
itary workings that fell under his observation re-
Gently, while he was making a tour in Canada.
Whatever the motive, or the purpose, or the expcc-
taton, it cannot be doubted that the British govern
ment has been for some time putting its war array
in condition that does not to be called for by
any apparent conjuncture Of affairs in Europe;
while the course Of events in South America,
1 though involving warke movements, by itself af-
fords no explanation Of or necessity for, such large
expenditure and earnest activity as the British gov
| eminent has ordered"
| The tone of the London press is another impor-
ant feature in this matter, and one to which we
have repeatedly called the attention Of readers
During the "calm of five or six MONTHS" referred
to above, that tone was bland and conciliatory in
/
treachcry that bcgat it. The mask thus worn for
a time, is now being removed, and the London
| Times, which was muzzled for season by the
policy the English government, has recently re-
newed It's assaults upon this country, its institu-
tons, and the character Of its people, with rancor
and malignty for which it has been long noted,
and which seem to have accumulated force by their
| temporary suspension. To show that the course OF
! this print is not to be considered in the light OF
mere individual opinion, but that it speaks-as in
truth it docs-in kind of official capacity, many
| proofs might be adduced Referring to its late
importance that should attach TO these, the sheet al
ready quoted above has the following remark:
"Meantme, there is something worthy Of notice
| in the givings out Of the London Timcs-a journal
which, notwithstanding the prcpostcrous folly Of
its TRADE against the handouts Of the Missouri, does
very often indicate beforehand the policy Of the
British gOvernment-whether by the exercise of its
own sagncity, or by means Of official inspiration, i,
| is not of much consequence to know"
| That "preposterous folly" was part Of the or
ganized system Of calumny by which VIC are now
zealously enough assailed through the Times and
| lis London associates Even this handcuff caumny
gives place to the still more studied depravy Of the
article in the same paper upon the anti-rent difficult
ties in this State wherein oil the worst passions OF
the reader carefully invoked against US. both as
individuals and nation, and including alike the
principles VIC avow, and our practice under them.
Now all this as we have said before, Is not acct
dental---not without fixed object II is part Of an
organized scheme of defamation, by which to render
us, and, through us, the rcpuic we sustain odious
| in the eyes Of the world The same course was
adopted and pursued towards the French republic
| and there the calumnous assault was soon backed
by military and naval onslaught. With us, as yet
there are only the calumnies and the preparations
for bloodshed. But what, it is natural to ask, are
these preparations for, IL not designed for serious
| demonstration against our republics