Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-01-30
d GOD, CUR COUNTRY, AND LIBERTY.


Ioi oregon, For what are emIgrafftS 70
be encouraged to goto Oregon? TO seize
possession Of it! What ethe implements
they beariwith them? The axe and the
rifle, too. What is to be heard after they
reach there? The sound of the axe, but
the crack of the rifle, also. What: part
are they to occupy! First, they are to
settle south of the Columbia,a but in due
time they are TO press on north of the Co
lumbia and aorth of the 49th parallel! /
ask, what means this rush of emgrants,
bearing not the olive-branch of peace, but
the instrument Of war? Does this plan,
even at the starting point. wear the aspect
of peace Z? l denounce the. scheme willie
respect its originators. 81 1t doubtless was
suggested by a, desire for peace; but il is
deceptive; and must lead TO war. Reject
this resolution, and refuse to give the no.
tce in accordance with the treaty, and
adopt the other policy, and what will the
British government say :? Whatthe Hud-
son Bay Company? What the other pow
ers Of the world say? Would not the Brit
L
although the Congress had refused to give
notice, MOTTO be lulled into apathy, that
the American Congress had discussed the
policy of giving the notice, but that.so
distinguished gentleman, being alarmed
lest it might produce war, had persuaded
the adoption of another policy, called the
peace policy, by which emigrants, under
the guise of settling the country, were to
90 armed with rifles that they were first
to plant themselves south of the Columbia,
but that, sin due season. the crack Of the
American rifle was to be heard even north
Of so And that, by this plan, 'the whole
Of Oregon was to be secured =! ......
Think you, sir, that the British cabinet,
ever sensitive to British interest, would
hear all this and be idle? Would they not
promptly and energetically adopt coun-
teracting policy startled at the develop
ment of this new scheme of ours? Would
they not encourage British emigrants, and
send British soldiers, too, to settle in Ore
gon to save it from falling into the hands
Of Americans? Would they not feel arous-
ed, even to excitement, on learning that,
Instead of giving notice, we had resolved
on resorling TO scheme protesting peace
but ultimately designed for the exclusive
seizure Of 'the whole Of Oregon!' 81.
And, Mr.. Chairman, when the American
emigrants and the British emigrants reach
ed there, what would follow? The cross
OF ST. George, and the stars and the stripes,
would be seen floating in dangerous prox-
unity. Under the one would be seen rail-
lying the Hudson Bay Company, with
their savage allies and British soldiers
under the other, the hardy and adventur-
Gus Americans, attached to their soil, and
bent on its exclusive possession. How
tlong, sir, could such Jealous adversaries
eye each other as contending rivals for
sovereignty in Oregon, and remain unex-
cited and peaceful? 1t is not to be ex-
pected. sir, under such circumstances, that
soon there would be collisions, skirmishes,
and violent outbreaks! Wouldnot the re-
port of the first gun be the signal for gen
eral conflict? Would not the news be
hurried over the mountains to our bold and
daring countryn men in the West, who would
rush TO the defence and aid of their sons
4 and brothers in Oregon? Would not the
news fly to England? And then, sir,
f would not all the horrors Of war be the
early fruit of this peaceful mode Of saving
/ Oregon? zs.:aas3 .7u5a 81 s.4rrrd 47~t
Much has been said in this debate about
the importance Of having the sympathies
of other powers in the event of war.-
Would not England, in such a war, have
the advantage in that particular Would
, she not say to the other powers, when ask
ed what produced the war, that Americans
refused to give the notice according 10 rea'
, ty, but avowed determination TO seize il
by other means, and that she was bound
to defend or be recreant? appeal, sir, to
gentlemen. TO look calmly, at these natural
consequences Of their policy, and tell me
if lis peaceful character can commend ITSELF
to their Judgment. Sir, it would begin, in
an undigniied scramble. for land, and end
/ in war. a.: H. .-:.f.-;e ~ ,~..z. 60,
4 Fl. Again, Mr.. Chairman. ! cannot, avoid
the conviction. that if we have resolved on
Terminating this controversy, and exereis-
fling sovereignty over Oregon, or Of taking
possession fit We are honorably. bound
by the treaty of $3.50 give twelve months
notice 10 Great Britain, or hazard our ma
tional reputation for fidelity to treaty stip'
ulation. l. is. well known that British
] statesmen, and eminent statesmen in our
own country, and in this House, deny that
lit was a treaty for Joint occupation Blu,
a. commercial convention for the purposes
tof trade and commerce. If that be The