Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-02-14
THE OREGON QUESTION.
A LETTER FROM WILLIAM, c RIvEs. or vIR-
GINA. IN FRIEND IN WASHINGTON.
CAsrtE HIT. Fsbrs.ry S, Is4e.

NV pkAk Sts; We rHE Pg'rLk have been eontempla-
ting with no small degree Of anxiety the progress. Of the dis.
eas''ons at Washington On the question OF osSs,s. With.
dra~a entirely from political pursuits. aud wi,hou, the
slightest desire again to engage in them. I have, nevsr,he-
less. az a good citizen. not been able TO steel my sef into
inoiherenee To what 50 nearly concerns the intcrest and
happiness OF our common country. Though passenger
only, one may be allowed n natural feeling Of solicitude for
the safety ofthe ship in which the lives and fortunes Of y.
oil are equally embarked. ...
IL can no longer be disguised, Whatever liulc occasion
there is for 1t in the reason and nature Of things, ,ha, tho
question OF Oregon. from the extreme grounds on which /,
has been placed by the temerity of p,liueirrs. IL in yrra.
danger OF becoming a question OF Peace or War. War
WIN the most powerful nation OF the earth fot q terra in
connie OF undetermined Ownership, to which an sSsoisf.
and srefnsfre title IN the United States has long been de-
MED, while our equal right TO settle aud occupy 4 with 9th.
er nations Is uprescrvodly admitted, is too grave n con,in-
gensy, however lightly it may be deemed Of BY the ora,oa
nj washington. not To awaken OH the attention Of a sober
ana tninking people. To them IL seems. in the 6st place.
conhdenng the vastly superior power OF one Of tho parties ON
'ha'eiement by which only the county in dispute (.eparn.
ted ast is from US by an almost inierminable de.crt. afTor-
ding nothing for the substance Of an srmy) can be an
pr0ached with an adequate military force, that to provoke
= war for 1t in the present naval aud IN ilitsry disparity Of
the two Powers, would be tho certain means Of losing the
very object OF the confess; while. if things be left TO the al
Isn't aud natural operation OF time, aided by legitimate and
J'd'eion' measures of policy. the territory must soon be.
come peaceful and undIsputsd conquest TO the enterprise
oil American emigration.
boouess and fatal as the war would be in regard 10 II,
immediate object, its cslamitous operation on all the gres,
Interests OF the nation tits hardly in tho power oflansuase
10 describe. Commerce.. agriculture, navigation, would NJ
once 'ee' It's. whitening effects. in being excluded from their
accustomed haunts, or deprived of their most profitable
Ha'.ets' The noble cities on our sesbosrd, the create en-.
Forums OF trade ana the proud monuments Of American
INDUSTRY and wealth, would be exposed to almost certain
devastation by the immensely superior and oyerpoxering
steam marine OF our adversary, with all its improyed en-
emery OF destruction. The best blood OF our gallant coun-
uymen would be poured out like water upon a hundred
The hard earned substance OF the people
would be extracted from them for the support Of a wide
wasting contest OF inimitablc duration. load Of deb, and
tHxauon would BE- entaicd upon posterty. Every scheme
OF social and political smelioution would be arrested amid
the eiangor Of arms. Oar institutions. designed for the sc.
curly OF liberty aud the interests OF peace and humsni.y,
would be exposed to a new and dangerous bia, from the
ussges and stern eKigeneies Of war; and. in short.
improvement and development, in sI their
branches, would receive a reuosraac check. from which n
century would scarce suffice TO restore them.
BY some, | am aware. it Is thought altogether unwo,,bv
an American statesman to heed considerations Ike these:
that Il Is deemed aIoiiy and Praisoworhy patriotism to ush
to war upon the slightest pretence, perfectly blind and in.
dhsreht to consequences; and that a war, with England es-
preiaHy' is always welcome to the national p~rejadices, and
n certain passport to popularity for those who promote and
IT, Others there are. l fear, who, without At al
participating IN these sentiments. are withheld from boldly
m1niully opposing them. by the idea th,, whoever
dares avow himself the advocate OF peace becomes, IN.
doomed and inevitable victim Of popular odium. Both Of
these classes OF politicians, in my humble judgment greatly
mistake the feelings Of the sound and nv far the larv.s,
OF the American people. The psopls desire peace
They know how intimately connected it is with their well
being, the fair rewards OF their industry, the prosperity Of
families, the ha.lowed associations of the domestic nj.
Tar. Ia ihey who pay the cost Of war. bear its buro.n.
its sacrifices.
IL Is no less TO dishonor their humanity and intelligence
10 suppose that THEY cherish unchristnn aud inexpiable re.
'enIments against the land Of their fathers, from VIII h we
derived our own freebo-n spirit. and the whole circle
IF our moral, social, and political characteristics. Thew
know full we'll 1t is through our rich inheritance of A,Vlo.
saxon freedom and Anglo>SaIon energy and enterprise
that We are all that we are-presenting in the eyes of man.
Nlnd an example Of progress and development hiths ro un.
'araleled in the history of the world. II we have had
luarrels with England. they have been nobly avenged, and
noble nature disiaIns TO brood vindictively over the past.
Rather would they look upon England and America. in the
snguuge ct Edmund Burke's admirable letter to Dr Frank.
in at the close Of the Revolutionary contest, as 'the two
branches Of the great Anglo Saxon family. destined hence.
to eXalt their common ancestry, language. l,era-
ue, aad religion, by a generous rivalry in the humanizinp
Irts of pesce aud science, aud the mutual interchange, of
friendly aud beneficial commerce.
Ii any politician, then, should suppose that he i. TO gain
popular favor by inciung an unnecessary war viii, Enr
and. he will in my opinion, have committed q srievou,
Mistake. Tbs statesman who will secure to himself the
argest share Of the general confidence and re.pre. ,.
10 who shall strive most strenuously to preserve I, the NJ.
hon the blessings Of peace aud VINO, If war shall come in
OF oil his efforts to avert it,. will be found standing
firmly by his country in her hour Of need Hi.,orv
las read TO us some instructive lessons on this subiec,
which have not been lost upon the intelligent people of
America. Il is recorded dat when one Of those war soi-
atos. whom Plusrch significantly describes AS public
while attempting to inf lme The people Of Athen,
% war, reProaehfuuy Intercepted Phoeion, Dare you.
Phocion, dissuide the Athenians from war1" Phoeio ION. who
ihd been called blythe voice Of the people no less than for.
y-ive times To the command OF The Atheuian armie,.a and
rad approved his Vslor and genernlship in many a bnt.
lie field, calmly replied, Yes | dare ; though | know
hou would'st be in my power in time Of war, and |
hall be in thine in time OF peace" On another occasion
whose resisless eloquenee, as we know.
'fulmined over Greece to Nacedon and ArsIerGes throne =
sought to DIVE this gallant advocate Of peace and fearless
IN war from bi, pacific counssls by thus nd.
iressiug him:
The Attenisn people will certainly kill thee Phociop
day or other" Phocion answered, 'they will Kill
ne Il they are mad, but It wall be you, II they are in ,bei,
ionses.' The same history records that DemJsthene .. the
3cquent apostle Of war. in the ever-memorablo and deei-
i've day Of Cheronoa, quilted his post. threw away hi,
lrms, and fed from tho baule field while Phoeion, tine
counsellor Of peace, when over ruled in one of hi.
asst efforts to preserve his country from war, al The AGE of
years, placed himself at the head Of his country.
to conduct them to the field
IL the paths Of true glory, in tho days Of the Athenian de
nocracy, were the paths Of praee, how much more 90 arc
now! The benign influence Of Christianity and the en-.
ightened genius of modern civilization have operated A
mighty change in tho feelings Of mankind. The fame and
40 much coveted by p1blic men arc no longer
'wHrded as tho peculiar prize Of war and Of wsrikc eoun-
The sublime poet Of our mother tongue. clothing him.
IN the mantle Of supefhuman authority, impre.siv,l,
"h there be IN glory auRht Of good,
IL msy by means ilf dHg rent DO attained.
Without ambition, war. or violence
BY deeds Of peace, by wisdom eminent,
by patience, empefanee--"
The rights and honor Of the nation W. VII desire 4, s,s
but they can be properly and suece, sfully main |
iained only by dignity, moderation, wisdom. hish STATES |
Nk ,rudcore uutfed tgYft Hruu... ~ 49,. - |