Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-11-14
THE OREGON QUESTION.

Ii has been understood that negotiation
was pending, with the hope Of adjusting the
Oregon controversy before the meeting of
Congress so as to obviatc the necessity of
another debate on that question. For this
purpose it was that Mr.. Nc Lane consented
to take the mission to st. James. But things
have taken new tact. Mr.. Polk wants a
reelection, and Oregon must be his capital.
Hence the language of the administration
now is, " the whole of Oregon or none," and
Of course negotiation is at an end. The Lam
gusge of the official paper has become so
explicit as to leave no doubt as 10 the posi-
ton Of the negotiation, so far as it is UNDER
stood by the conductor Of that paper, or Of
the views OF the executive on the question, if
it can be supposed that the conductors of the
official paper have any knowledge of the
views of those views. The following extract
from that print will sufficiently indicate the
temper Of the times:
"OREdoS- The ,-loie Of Oregon, or none this is
the only alternative issue of territorial right
We wholly deny the break in the American tile at
latitude 40 deg. We hold that our title from AZ deg.
10 81 deg. 40 min. Is one tile and, believe, n
pc feet title against all the world. As the weston has
been discussed for quarter of century between
and England. we are not aware of one arguments
scarcely of one phrase purpoting to he an argument
which carries our the up to 10 deg. and there Si0ps
We clam as matter Of rl,ht the territory drained by
the Columbia rver. In the view of the law of nations
this territory being u1ucrupled, has is distinctive
character and unity region, in the fact that it
- 90 . ait nyn ~
we do not own II.
"knain, we must sneak to the Democratic party Of
the United States. But We dare to hope that many
liberal Wing VII feel the force of the appeal which
the in'ere IS o. his country vii mike u his patriot
ism cold This imuort1nt question. We especially, ai
l-ro-s YES however, at this time, 10 the Demo-
cratic pa " because of the peculiar circumstances
which have connected them IN past tunes with the
question Of Oregon. They became peculiarly connect
ed with it BY their public avowals near eighteen
months ago The Baltimore Convention expressed
the deepest interest in the territory of Oregon. In
the canvass of the Presidential election the de-
cded sentiments were manifested The Pres dent 5
first prompt srong. manly word, in full response to
that convention, was, TO the Oregon our rigff Is
clear and unQue> lnlhc."
Let iha, word be spoken again by the man whom
millions of ireemen have called to occupy the great
central po. of the civ zltlon Of the popular power
and who doubts but that tie Democracy ofthe whole
Union will repeat it-"ith n fall determnnton 10
stand by the rights of the country? When that word
goes forth from the constituted authorities of the ma
ton "Our right to Oregon is clear and unqneston-
allie" who doubts that it wlll 90 through the length
and bredth of the land, and that it will be hailed,
it goes by the Democratic party with one unanimous
Amen. And what then We answer this then the
Democracy of this country will stand 10 It's word, 1t
will not finch. Nor will the honest, patriotic, and
determined Wig finch either"
Certainly. Mr.. Polk is going to "speak
the word again. in his message and demo-
Gratis and wings are to rally round the "ereat
central post of the civilization of popular
power" and rc-elect a southern ant-tarilf
President, under cover Of war-spirt, for
Oregon! And suppose this humbuggery
succeeds, what is to come Of it We shall
not. probably, dripe the English out of Ore
gon, but steal another Mexican province, and
add California to the Union, with two or four
more slave Senators to look after the inter-
es,s of free labor.