The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-07
THE GREAT QUESTION OF THE DAY

The overwhelming popular enthusiasm excited by
the course OF the administration the Oregon ques-
lion, and which has acquired fresh intensity from
the debates still in progress in the House Of Repre-
sentaves, is stimulating certain OF the stock obbng
and violent wing journals into still more fierce and
unguArded denuneiations Of the administration, the
democratic party, and all who resoutely INSIST upon
the bold and determined maintenance of the nation
al rights al all hazards, and at every risk Amongst
these journalists, the New York Courier and En-
quirer," and the Baltimore American" have a
characteristic eonspieuousness. The former in q
rather incoheren article on Tuesday last most pit
eously implores Congress to delay any action on
the question; insists with great yehemence that il
would be exceedingly unkind and uneourteous IN
them to carry out the recommendations Of the Elk
ecutye, until they hear what the British press and
the British government have to say in the present
state Of the question: and winds up with an
affected appeal to "the press and individuals"
calling upon them TO check that awfully wick
ed spirit which pertinaeiously insists on fore
| ing on the attention Of Congress measures
of fearful import" The Baltimore American"
is not one whit behind its respectable, upright, and
patriotic eontrus in the great commercial meropo-
lis either in the bitterness Of its denuncaton, the
incohersncy Of its reasoning. IL devotes nearly
column to a recapitulaon ofthe claims Of England to
the Oregon territory, as presented by Lord John
Russell and Sir Robert Peel, and then declamS, in
passionate terms against the administration-in one
breath assailing the President wanting in con-
sistency and candor and in the next, abusing him
for his obstinate adherence to his position and his
1 int Of nd
sentiments The great object of both journalists is
to represent the policy Of the administration as
rash, preeipitate, and imPrudent, and calculated
heedlessy to plunge the nation into all the horrors
of war.
Now, have we not again and again sufficiently ex-
posed the Stiffness and absurdity of the twaddling
defamation against the Oregon policy of the gov
j ernmeni with which the editorial columns OF such
| whig journals as these to which we have just al
luded have been daily teeming for some time
past And does not every citizen who regards
this question in its broad and national aspects
who views it in the true American light, .as one in
volvng interests Of transeendent magnitude and i'm
portance, connected intimately with the progress
and prosperity Of the republic, and altogether over
shadowng all mere local, sectional and petty inter
ests Of the hourfee fully prepared to render to the
course Of the administration intelligent, cheerful
and enthusiastic support Firmness and decision
the most determined frmness the most resolute de-
cision-must characterize the policy Of our govern
ment in crisis like the present. No man Impress
ed with due sense Of the character of the present
| emergency-no man who considers that this ques
ton has bound up with it influences Of far weight
er moment than those which regulate the rise and
ell <f s,ocks--can for instant tolerate amy in
culcations, however carefully attempted, Of the cx-
pedency and propriety Of delay, of trucking con-
cession, of shrinking timidity And the enlgh:-
ened patriot who most desires peace-the
really disinterested friend Of peace--is just the
man who will most zealously advocate the line Of
policy adopted by the Executive. II has been well
observed by respected contemporary-the Boston
| Post-"so far from shutting the door against ne
gotiation, the measures decidedly brought for.
ward will have the effect to stimulate and bring it
to point" From first to last-from the advent Of
the present administration till this moment--the
course of the Executive has been that best calcu-
lated to secure ut once speedy and peaceful adj
justment of the controversy. Candid, manly, and
| decided, the policy of Mr.. Polk has brought the
business rapidly to point In friendly spirit, an
honorable offer has been made to the British govern
ment The path of Cancellation has been pur-
sued to the very farthest point-to that point
beyond which Cancellation ceases to be virtue;
and having thus completely vndicated itself in the
eyes of all men as The friend Of honorable peace,
the administration now calmly awaits the issue,
standing resolutely and unshrinkingy on the broad
platform of national right and national honor.
Once for ALL we tell the interested opponents of
the administration-the few selfish journalists who
yelp out their denunciatons of the Executve-that
all their efforts stem the swelling tide of popular
enthusiasm in favor of the Oregon policy Of the gov
eminent will be utterly in vain. Already this
mighty question has broken down the barriers by |
which faction and party had divided the citizens Of
the republic. All other questions have been swal-
lowed up in this, the great question of the day.
CRques factions, parties, and party leaders, local
politics and individual schemes have been forced to
give way before this resstless influences and why'
Because with this Oregon question are bound up
the fortunes Of the republic, and the perpetuity Of
free government. And well may the genuine pa
triot-wel may the faithful friend Of free ns.i-
tutions-be inspired with confidence when he be-
hOluS, IN the pOpuidT vi suDfect the
evidence of the warm devotion and unshrinkng
fidelity to democratic principles and democratic gov
eminent, which exist in the mighty popular heart
of this great nation. And all hands is manifest
that the patriotism Of the country has reposed its
trust in the irmness and prudence Of the admins
tration. We have no fear that Congress will not
do its duty. There will be no Anching from our
present bold and dignifed attitude. We know our
rights, and we prepared to maintain them; and
it, by that maintenance Of our rights, the final con-
aic between the principles of liberty and the prin
cipes of despotsm be hastened, what right-hearted
friend Of human freedom fears the issue'
The eleventh volume Of the London Encyclope-
dia was loaned to gentleman from the EDITORS Of
fee. tits now wanted for reference He will have
the goodness to return it.
The concert OF Irish music given by Messrs