Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-06-25
THE SETTLEMENT

The Senate has obtained the victory. The vcx-
ed question OF Oregon is substantially settled and
lhe stupendous calamity of a war with England.
upon which imbecile and crafty politicians. at one
time. seemed likely to preciptate the country has
been averted. The wisdom, discretion and homes
ty OF the country have gloriously triumphed over
the criminal heedlessness of selfish aspirants for the
Presidency.
In this noble act of the Senate, shall we suffer
the effrontcry of being told that it is the admins
tration OF James *. Polk which has put an end to
the Oregon question? VIII his liegc journal, the
washington Union, be hardy enough to cry glory
TO the President for this benefcent result2 We
Will not suspect the friends of the Executive of so
weak an jnsincerty. In the last moment of the
issue. when he might have been assured that the
SENATE would advise him to accept the offer of Great
Britain, he has been afraid to signify his own pur-
poses Equally will he dread the consequences of
pralsing the treaty he has signed. He will doubt
less be glad to receive the plaudits of his pacific
friends, but he means, if it be possible to stie the
ahathemas OF his warlikc partisans. But he will
do neither. Those who, like himself have been
peace men or war men, as the of their politics
has shifted with popular impulses, will doubtless be
ready to sing Peans in his praise but the steady
friends OF compromise, of his own party, who have
watched his course from the beginning. will be in
suited at his effort to reap the reward of their patr
otto eXcrtions.
The truth is, the conduct Of the administration in
this matter has been little credable to itself as
to the country. Mr.. Polk, in the very first act OF
ms term, declared that our title to the whole OF
Oregon was clear and unquestionable The sent-
ment rang through Europe as the tocsn of impend-
ing war. England bristled up, and her premier
emphatlcally declared that she was prepared to
maintain her rights. Congress assembled. and.
again, Mr.. Polk proclaimed that we must take pos
session OF the whole of Oregon Again we were told
from Europe that such proclamation from Con
gress would be but the declaration of war Time
wore on. tedious discussion did not suffice to
bring the House of Representatives to reason The
doctrine Of the President and his friends, was still
that England would not dare TO fight the great Re
public. Not yet were Mr.. Calhoun and the consi-
derate men OF the party permitted TO enter the ex-
ecutlve councils. Benton sat aloof in moody 81
lencc. The men of fifty forty rioed in the
iulneSs OF their superiority. But the grave Senate
| the great conservator of the Government came TO
discuss the question. Fifty-four forty was vet in
the ascendant. Allen blurted out that the hearts of
I tic people must be prepared for war flanagan.
as exponent of the President, dsavowed the state
ments OF his owu organ. Cass flippantlv proclaim
cd that war was ineUitable. But reason began TO
/ have itssway. The whole Wing force was thrown
on the side of peace. Calhoun brought tho South
ern Democracy to the rescue ; and finally. Benton
Tell with his ponderOus blows upon the Executive
p0licy-lhe peace resolution was adopted i'm tri-
umPh over the peculiar allies of the President
The House gave way before the superior wisdom of
The Senate As soon as the glad tidings reached
England an almost unexamped spirit of liberality
seized the British cabinets and the result is an over
ture which the same friends of peace, who induced
IT. haze determined TO accept.
Nothing but this brief review Of the events is ne
cessary TO show that the great result has been ac-
complshed. not by james X Polk, but in spite Of
him He did all that was in his power TO prevent
1T. and he now ac1uiesccs in it, because hc is afraid
70 do otherwsc-R Richmond Times.