Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-11-20
THE OREGON QUESTION.

and more Importance daily, as the signs of col
lision between the two nations increase. The or
gan of the administration insists that our title is
good TO 81 degrees 40 M north latitude, and calls
upon Congress at its next session to recognize the
people of Oregon, protect them, establish commu
ncation with them, and extend our government over
them. What England will say or do, may be con-
iectured from the fact that three occasions this
Government has offered the 40lh degree as the
boundary line. On the 9Th of Feb. 1928, II. H.
Benton himself proposed this as the permanent
boundary. 1t is not very probable that England
will now consent to yield us five degrees more than
VIC asked in 1918, 1891 and 1926, and more than
Mr.. Benton asked in 1898. If the present admin
stration insists upon the urged by its organ
and Congress adopt it, there is TO fear that
peace cannot be maintained
On this subject we invite attention to the follow
ing extract from a speech delivered in FaneIil
Hall, Boston, few days since, by Mr.. Webster:
MIR. WEBSTER ON OREGON.
suppose 1t is the sentiment of every sensible
and just man, that the preservation Of the peace of
our growing country on honorable terms, and
under circumstances favorable to the great inter-
eSts of the country is an object in itself very desl-
rabe. | suppose may take il for granted, that
in the judgment Of this assembly, the public peace
Of two great commercial countries, which hold to-
gethcr do ly Intercourse exceeding that between
any other two countries in the world, shall not be
lightly disturbed.
1t appears that this OrcgCnl is n subject for ne
collation. for discussion, for auicabe adjustment;
and 50 it has been regarded by the governments
for the whole length of time. 1t was because the
two governments could not agree as to the proper
division Of the territory, or upon any other sails
factory arrangement, that in 1918 they determined
on joint occupation until they could come to SOME
understanding about it. Aud with the same spirit,
this government, at three different times, in 1918,
in 1924, in 1896. has proposed to the British Gov
eminent. straight line of division, the parallel of
! 40o all north Of VIII oh should be assigned to Eng
land, and all south should belong to America
What the British Minister said in the House of
Commons in its sum and subsance--was that
England had rights in regard to this question that
must be and would be respected. | adopt the same
language on our SIDE and say that we also have
rights that ought to be, must be and will be respec-
ted.
Where is Oregon? On the shores of the Pa
ciic, three thousand miles from u.s. and twice as
far from England Who is to settle it? Amer
leans mainly; some settlers undoubtedly from
England; but all .4ngio .3merjcrnS; all men edu.
Gated in notions of independent government and
all self dependent. And now let me ask if there
be any sensible man in the United States who will
say for a moment, that when fifty or a hundred
thousand persons Of this description shall find them
selves on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, that they
Will long consent to be under the rules either Of
the American Congress or the British Parliament.
They will raise n standard for themselves, and they
ought to do it, | look forward to the period when
they will do this as not far distant, that many
now present, and those not among the youngest of
us, will see great Pacific Republican Nation. |
believe that it is in the course of Providence and
of human destiny that great State is to arise, of
English and American descent, whose power will
be established over the country on the shores of the
Pacific and that all those rights of natural and
political liberty all those great principles that both
nations have Inherited from their fathers will be
transmitted through us to Them so that there will
exist at the mouth of the Columbia, or more prob
ably farther South, great tactic Republic, a
ton where our children may 90 for residence. sep
aratlng themselves from this government half way
between England and China; in the most health
full, fertile, and desirable portion Of the globe, and
quite 100 far remote from Europe and from this side
OF the American Continent to be underline govern
nent influences Of either country.
But, gentlemen, in this point of view, is this a
subject upon which it is proper, by popular appeal,
or by loud representations Of patriotism, by
sort of stormy defiance of the power of great
nation on our sde,-s it proper on the other side
by cries about maratmo ascendency of England,
the great wealth. the dignity, the pc vel, the mar
tai prowess of England-is 1t n question on which,
by outcres of this sort on either side Of the ocean
these two greet communities are to be embroled
and plagued in all their commercial and friendly
relations-or to be compelled 10 run INTO the hor-
rors of war: No, gentlemen! the spirit of the
age is against it.
have said would not undertake to express an
opinion as To the manner in which the question may
be settled. will say, however, what appears to
be natural. Its well known that the 10th degree
Of North latitude Is the boundary line between the
Western part Of this country, and the British prov
inces, as far the foot of the Stony Mountains
It seems to be natural enough if the two govern
mens contemplate a change, that they should a.
gree 10 an extension of this same line Westward
that the two should keep on abreast, side by side
with the same line of division till they reach the
Pacific Ocean. 1t is well known that about where
the Columbia crosses the 49lh parallel, it makes
turn and flows nearly Southwark. Very WE'LL
Suppose It made as sudden a sweep to the North
ward England then naturally say, this river
which has been making Westward sweeps to the
Northward ;-instcad of making with It great
bend to the north, we will leave it and go line
straight to the Pacific Ocean, on this parallel of 40
degrees. For the same reason, II is not unnatural
for the United States to say, since it proves that
The river makes a circuit to the South, instead of
following that circuit, Will 20 stra light upon the
49th parallel till we meet the shore of the Pacific
Ocean.
This very proposition has been made to the Britt
ish government three successive times. 1t
made in 1918, "a and '26,-agan and again, to fol-
low up the 10Th PARALLEL westward from the Lake
of the Woods, not only to the foot of the Rocky
Mountains, but over the Mountains and onward to
the Ocean.
| am not about to say whether this is proper
division of the territory not. But do say, That
as it has been often repeated in this manner 49,
and 20, g. Ia years agot is an admission that there
is something to negotiate about, and treat about
for either side that it is not question free from
difficulty on either side.
Now, gentlemen, who is the man at the head of
either government, who will take upon himself the
responsibility of bringing on war, between two
nations like Great Britain and Americu, upon
question of this kind, until he is prepared to show
that anything and every thing that he could do, has
been done to avoid such terrible ultimate result
If a British Minister under whose administration