Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1845-06-11


States to pursue. Back out he cannot,
without personal compromise, for he has
shown bis cards to his opponent, who will
work the game accordingly:
Il is well understood on this side of the
water-it is still better known at Wash.
ington, that The British Cabinet have
come to the conclusion thai the present is
the time for bringing this matter 10 an
issue. To let it slip would prove them as
arranl burglars as their antagonist. Di-
plomacy, like the chess board, consists III
a series, of successful moves, and a skilful
player can hardly he blamed for check
mating his rival. The affair might have
remained in obeyance another quarter OF
century, as it has done during the last
half century, and every year would have
increased the means, on the part OF Anne
rica, Of successful resistance /; decreased,
in the same ratio; the power Of Britain 10
sustain, or take forcible possession of Ore
gor. The tide Of emigration, which is
daily flowing to The West, would have
peopled it ia few years with the Anglo
American race who would have held
their own agains, all ih'ruders.
These advantages have been cast 10 ihe
winds; and nothing appears to remain but
mutual concession, or the settlement of the
question by the strongest arm. Here,
again, The evil genius of the President
confronts bin. The temple of Janus is
closed--we are al peace with the world.
Our Indian empire is consolidated our
colonies in China are progressing. The
British Exchequer is full to repelion-ils
navy is in admirable TRIM. Our steamers
sweep every sea; our means for transport
ing troops, whether from Europe or from
Asia. were never moro complete; more
perfect.
There never WINS a period in the history Of
this country when il was better prepared
for war-neyer did question exist, moi on
its abstract merits; but because of its
concomiIant swagger, on which less d.
versity Of opinions prevails, and with
heart and soul would the dernier resort
be entered upon and pIrsued.
We do not write in purtlzan spirit
Nolhing, Heaven knows. should we regard
as greater national calamity than ruP.
iure with The United States; and we
should be sorry to say or do anything
which could in The remoresl degree preci-
pilae it. 1t is painful; narrowing; even
to contemplate such contingency. The
elements OF society would be convulSed,
commerce would be swept from the
ocean, and The lies of interest. and even
Of consansuinity, would be rudety snapped
asunder. Upon England it would inaict
all but irreparabIe injury, and America
would hardly suffer less intensely. May
80 fearful consummalion be averled. In
this crisis it is not unnatural that public
feeling in America should DO watched
with some anxiety. The commercial
classes can have no desire 10 fight Britain
about the navigation Of the Columbia
The Norlhera States are identified with
the continuance Of peace and The progress
of manufactures. The Southern States
would moi like 10 sacrifice their trade in
cotton, tobacco, aud other produce, for so
ilusory an object. The brawlcrs in The
West may desire row, from all inherent
love Of sport and mischief, or thirst for
gain But after all. the lnauer will pro-
bahly resolve itself into contest for polit-
icaI supremacy. If the President is OBJ.
slinate. aud will concede hohing, the
party which elected him may feel bound
in consistency 10 sustain him, and the
voice Of the mere sober and discreet por-
,on Of the Union will probably be drown-
ed; in the avalanche. We sincerely hope
that discreet councils will prevail, aud
that both Governments, concediEg some
thing for the sake Of peace, may bring
the matter TO timely and satisfactory
adjust. But it is folly to blink at the fact.
that the black cloud in the West" to
which Sir Robert Peel SO portenlously al
luded, looks threatening, and may burst
with devastating fury.
With any country but America, war,
with all its newly acquired horrors and
improved instruments of destruction,
would be fearful, yet speedy. But with
such a line of coast on the Atlantic, AMI
the barren waste in dispute on the Pacific
side, it must. in the nature Of things, be
prolracted. Possession of the Oregon by
an armed force would, Of course. be he
first, aand the destruction Of The Atlantic
cities on the seaboard the second, object of
British annoyance. But we pause, and
sicken al the bare idea Of evils so appall
ing. aud yel so apparently immediate.
resulting from the language of a hasty
and .u,enperate teman, raised, unexpected
ly, TO position, in which his caPacity for
making mischief appears TO be the only
capacity Of which he has yet, in the
opinion of the Briishers, given any proof.
Unfortunately for our sagacily. we fore
told, in this journal, The very day follow
ing the arrival Of the Presidents inaugural
address, the hubbublo which his indiscreei
remarks on the Oregon would give rise
here, and our statement has been verified
TO the letter.
The probability Of awar with the Uni
ted States occupies the public mind on the
other side of The Atlantic, 10 the exclusion
of every other topic. The arrivals from
the Western World are looked to with
absorbing interest.
TLo I1J,.L;,o,r, TJ,;n,, puh1ieheo the