Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-05-01

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the collection Of subscriptions. He has Offices in
New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Baltimore.
1T -
THE UNITED STATES AND GREAT
BRITAIN.
We present TO our readers, in another column,
the highly important news brought out from Great
Britain BY the steamer Csledonis. This inteI-
sence is Of character well calculated to arouse an
excited feeling throughout this Coun,ry-but pru-
dence and wisdom ought at once to sugges, the pro-
priety Of calm and considerable reason, instead Of
more authoritative and official in the position Of
John Bull this time, than We are accustomed to
see in his bailyism towards the United Sts,es-and
hence the necessity of our people giving to that
position its due weight aud consideration. We
feel spprehensiys that a rupture must sooner or
later take place between these two great Nations,
and indeed we do not see how matters as they now
stand are likely to keep them apart, as the issue
10 joined, and the only eectual means of trying il
10 by a resort in the end 10 arms, though the day
may be prolonged by the forms of negotiation and
diplomacy.
We perceive the Press OF the United States has
got fairly to work upon this subject, and as might
have been expected, great variety of opinion is
expressed. But upon one point we think there is
great unanimiry Of opinion-and that is, that "our
right TO Oregon 10 clear and indisputable
such seems to be eeualy the settled opinion of the
British Ministry and people as to ketr right. The
only conrarety of opinion among our people, is as
to time-snd the bupgling manner Of negotiation
in which the matter has been conducted. This
matter is yet subject Of negotiation, between the
constituted authorities OF tie two Countries, and
while in this condition it was perhaps improper
and indslcste in Mr.. Polk to announce in his Inau-
gursl Address the "clesr and indisp utable right"
Of tho United States to this territory. 1t was out
fplscs, and perhaps Mr.. Polk might have thought
so himself, but as Polk, Dallas. Texs. and Ore.
gon' were the Democratic Prineiple. par excel.
lsnce in the la:s Presidential contest, he thought
himself bound TO say something about il, and If any
thing, what else could he have said that would have
been satisfactory to his psr,yi But be tina, as it
may, tho american Executive has so declared our
title, and We would not If we could wish him to
re,raci one word or .yllable Of what he has said.
Mr.. Polk 10 not the Government in this Country
YET, thank God, Notwithstanding the eaorts Of the
sfriet eonsruetionists of our Constitution and the
infailiSie Democracy to place the power of the
Government in the hands and at the discretion of
the President Of the United States. The intel.
gent statesmen of Great Britain ought to have
understood our position better, and to have saved
of their extra hsa, and bulyi,m until the &C.
ton of the coordinate branches Of our Government,
Perhaps they have read something definite enough
in the action Of The late Congress. where the bill to
occupy Oregon almost became law-and was re-
jected more upon points of etiquette, than any
doubt about The "csar and indis putable RICH, and
title Of our Country to the Oregon. The senti.
ments Of this County are well known, and doubt
less upon the meeting Of the next Congress, the
subject will be again introduced and bill passed.
provided no adjustment of the controversy takes
place in the recess. which is not likely TO be done
Negotiation and arbitration are talked Of but for
the life Of us we csnno, what good negotiation
will do, how it is possible TO arrange the difficult.
~ by arbitration. Both Countries declare their
title clear and inais2uto6le, and there seems 10 be
such uno9uvocal and fixed determination in the
declarations that we cannot see how the arbitration
ia to be arranged. How is the agreement to abide
the dsosion or award Of the arbitration TO be SET.
tied on beforehand and who !. to do i'll Who
would act as umpire, and what King, Prince or
Potentae IL capable Of deciding a controversy of
this description with satisfaction and fairness to the
cou,endipg pariies' 1t is in this view, then, that
consider the disputsnts after the late declara.
tons in the British Parliament Negotiation and
arbitration in our poor j. dgment, are out Of the
question, and Har in all probability must be soon
er or later the inevitable result We trust in God
such may no, be the case of all evils war is the
greatest, save and except National disgrace and
dishonor We would have our National honor
preserved at any cost Of treasure or blood.
1t will be noted that The concern about Texas
Annexation has almost died away in England,
and neither the Government or the people seem to
care pinch Of sauF one way or the other about 1t
-notw outstanding she has been held up in this
Country by the Annsxationist. constantly as tie
gres, "raw-head sud bloody bones" which was
seeking TO ~rest Texas from our grasp. The Ore
gon is different matter for Balls contemplation;
and il is not so much the broad acres" that he
cares about, even there, as it is the monopoly Of
the manufacturing trade which he is seeking to
secure in lndia. Great Britain fears The position
which the occupation OF Oregon would give to our
trade. commerce and manufactures, opening Up as
it would direct passage to US through the Pa
e6c to that great and growing market That /.
what that sagacious statesman. the Earl of Aber.
deem, meant when he said that "war j. great
evil but the overthrow of eur Great Britain'."I
monopoly Of the manufacturing system would be
infinitely more dresdful-and towards this consum-
nation the growth OF American industry is rapidly
tending" The we'll known and proverbial sci
hshne" of England, and her far-reachng svarice
which encompasses the globe, and mourns over its
Pent up boundaries, may well awaken our conside-
ration and afford to u. Ken ,vharau;th .a r,ay