Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-01-09
aHALL WE HAVE WAR;

SHALL WE HAVE WAR;
This is the question which we find in every
body'S mouth. What are the chances for
war! Any thing new from Washingto on D.
What's gcing on in Congress !! What about
Oregonl Are questions which are asked by
all. The tariff, sub-treasury, and distribution
have sunk into comparative insighi6cance,
since the meeting of Congress. All eyes are
3urned to one object, the Oregon territory; all
minds are directed to one subject, the state Of
20 days paper will be found the resolutions
introduced in The Senateby Mr.. flanagan, of
Indiana, and also substitute by way Of a.
mendment offered by Mr.. Calhoun, Of South
Carolina. Should the resolutions Of Mr.. Han-
negan be adopted BY the Senate, we are, to
speak candIdiy, of the opinion that war with
England is inevitable. It will be seen that
they were laid on the table. on motion Of their
author, to be taken up at future day. For
our own part, we caunot; under present cir
eumstances, subscribe to the doctrines laid
down in those, resolutions. Particularly do
We object to the last of the series Although
We feel convinced that our title to the whole
Of the Oregon territory, from 42o TO $40 4ON,
10 good against the world, still, as our govern
ment has frequently offered to compromise the
dispute between Great Britain and ourselves,
by giving the former all north of the. 49th de-
gree, We think, with Mr.. Polk, that there
IL a kind of an implied faith on the part Of the
United States, to treat upon that basis. Mr..
Polk again, for the fourth time, made this pro-
position. 1t was again rejected by the British
Minister, whereupon the President Withdrew
II and asserted our right to the whole Of the
territory. Now we were Of opinion at the
time, and so We believe were a large majority
Of the American people, that Mr.. Polk had
done right in offering the 10th degree as
compromise, nnder the circumstances Tint
by 90 doing, he did not compromise the honor
of the country. But should Mr.. Hannegan's
would, to all intents and purposes, be con-
demnation, not only OF the action Of Mr.. Polk,
but Of his predecessors, who made the same
proposition. We feel confident; however, that
these resolutions will not be adopted by the
Senate. In the amendment offered by MI
Calhoun weheartily, concur. There is qnes-
tIon in the minds of some, how far the with
drawal OF all propositions by Mr. Polk and
his assertion OF. our title 70 The whole Of the
territory, would now operate TO prevent him,
from making any compromise with Great Bi:
tain. Some think that under present citcum-
stances, we are, If we mean to preserve" our
honor, estopPed, as thelawyers say. from Civ
ing up one inch of the territory. We enter
tain no such opinion. We are clearly Of opin-
ion that, should England think proper to re-
open thC negotiation, and were she to propose
the 49th degree, or were she to say that she
was ready TO accept that line should it again
DO offered by our government, the administra-
ton would be acting in perfect consonance
with the best interests as we'll as the honor
Of the country, in entertaining such PROPOSE
tiop. We hope that we feel as deep and al
lively an interest in the, preservation of the
honor and the interests Of our country, as any
one, and we will advocate war az strenuously
a. any one, should war be necessary to pre-
serve either Of these; but at the same time w
90 for peace, if, by any means. it can be hon
orabIy preserved. II is our impression tina
England will renew the negotiation partialI,
broken of by Mr.. Pakenham, and that sh
will be perfectly willing 10 aceede to the las
proposition Of the United States. Should w
be correct in our impressions, we think that
would be in manner she duty Of our Govern
nent, 10 settle the matter by compromise
Should, however, England continue obstinate
and insist upon the mouth Of the Colnmbi
river, we see no chance to avoid war; and the
should war come, we gOin for fighting for sh
whole. So long, however, as there is an
chance for settling the matter amicabIy, and
at the same time, honorahly, We go for peace
That there will be war in reality, we do nc
believe. WsfeeI perfectly confident that En-
gland viii, npon mature deliberation. be Wi
ling and glad to5aecePt the 49th degree, an
that the people OF the United States will alst
az matters now stand, be willingto conclud
a tresty on that basis.