Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-02-20

60 H. zHLl-A - - -
Ssg q G@4u.,,
RICHMOND, VA.
Friday Morning, February 20, ls46.
The Wings have committed an unpardonaole
bIunder in ST. king the fortunes OF their party up
IN The "Arbi.ration" question. Inc Nal'onai
Tn,elipencer raised the hue and cry too soon IN
the chase. The trail has become suddenly coiu'
and the Oldest hunters are at fault Onno question
have we seen the Republican press more coraia'-
" united. Our friends may differ as 10 the 'i1ie
- ,he limited States TO the whole of Oregon !
rhey may disagree as TO the most practicable
noicy of securing our rights, by peaceaole
adjustment; but they all seem 10 harmonize up
on The vital point OF placing our territory IN
the hands Of prejudiced arbilers, 10 be cuI
up as may sui, their anli-Repubican views
With Mr.. Buchanan, we believe that there IS
sufficient sense of justice in the two Co.
yernments themselves TO arrange the difhculty,
without appealing TO new Board, who would be
stripped Of all responsibility for their verdict, and
from whom. as in the case Of the North Eastern
Boundary we could expect not even decision
according to The panesl principles agreed upon by
both coniendpg parties. If We allo" our territory
TO be arbitrated away what guarantee havew ior
the safely OF our peculiar Republican institutions,
which may, by similar hocus pocus, be brought
under The management OF The "halance OF power
prime Minister'S Our Government has been
charged with The sate-keepng Of our national
rioh,s by what authority would it be Juslihed IN
shifting the responsibility, and transferring such
mighty question as our title 10 our own Terrific
rs. 10 the hands OF irresponsible agents, unknown
,oour Constitution and inmica to our principles
of government? We are glad TO see, from aWash-
ine,on leller in the Raleigh Standard, that there
is no diversity OF sentiment on this subject, among
onr friends in Washington. The views OF the
writer present The point SO strongly and clearly
that we adopt them in place OF our own
az need scarcely write you that every member
of The Democratic party in the Senate or House
OF Representatives rithOat single exception, most
heartily approve the decision Of The Government
mon the proposition 10 arbitrale the rights OF The
United States in and 10 Oregon. Not one takes
different view OF the subject. For The hrst Time
in the history OF American public affairs, every
member OF The Democratic party IN Congress
agree upon one Of the most important questions
which has been mooed since the termination OF
our revolutionary struggle. feel salisned 10 my
own mind that this concordance OF opinion y
more the result of the frame of public sentiment
upon incidental and remote questions, than OF 50
perfect harmony upon the main issue 10 which
ih;s now forever settled determination 10 reject
foreign interference in our affairs in any shape,
way or manner is applied. II has become liked
impression with the public men in this city, and
more especially with our political friends, that there
is settled determination on The Part OF ihe nve
great powers OF Europe 10 adopt rolicy towards
rs in future, which has for lis aim Inc Gripping
of the growth OF our commerce, and the pIeven-
ton OF the further extension OF The AREA OF Tree
dom" on this continent; or IN DINER Wolas VI
The establishment OF the laws, II not instiiu-
tons OF the United States over greater limits
Ihan a, present acknowledge their supremacy
Feeling that the only way in which such reso-
luton on the part Of Europe can be effectively
met, is 10 give them no rope with which 10 hans
us-lo avoid putting ourselves in any manner IN
their power-public sentiment here IS naturaHy
against trusting our Interests in The hands OF any
nersons or governments, other than our own
Thi. is the great reason why the Democratic pal
~ in Congress are so united against The PROPOSE,
lion 10 arbitrae. You and your readers, one anu
ALL will The force Of il, and viii doubtless APP
proye The determination of he Administration, not
10 place our rights and interests as involved IN me
Oregon controversy, beyond our own control. Mr..
Calhoun, you will recoect, when al the head otthe
Stale Department, promptly rejected similar Oh
fer in the same case. Il was then made by Bill
tain, in default of arguments with which 10 COM
hat his mastery and conclusive exposition OF our
exclusive title 10 Oregon In this latter instance
By the BY, il Is brought forward by Sir Richard
Pakenham as rejoinder 10 the argument which
has shed so much lustre over the name and fame
Of James Buchanan"
While the Republicans in Washington ale
thus united upon this question, lhes same unaniml-
~ Of sentiment may be observed in The Republl-
can press and party, as far as we have seen. In.
deed we are inclined 10 believe that This question
appeals SO warmly TO the American hear that
many Of our political opponents will sustain the
Administration on true national grounds
Such was The case on the "Notice" question.
The Wing press denounced it as war measure,
designed by the Presdento produces collision, Tor
his own personal aggrandizemenl. When The So
emn decision was TO be given, a majority OF The
Wings marched up to The question, and recorded
their vote. for measure, which was recon-
mended in good faith by The President as The
most effeclual and pacific mode of adjusting The
controversy They thereby declared their conf
dence in the wisdom and integrity Of the Admin
istra,ion and, forgetting party, rallied 10 the sup
port Of what was, in their opinion, demanded by
the peace and interests Of The country. May moi
the same state OF affairs exis, on this Arbitration
question Did not the Wing leaders fear IT,
when they withdrew the arbitration proposition
and refused 10 submit 1t to the test OF vote 10 The
House
Every thing goes TO satisfy us, that large
majority of the nation will sustain the Admins
tration in its refusal 10 place our interests IN Inc
control OF irresponsible and partial judges. we
can safely leave the decision Of the question OF
orr rights 10 the wisdom and justice oil the TWO
Governments. England has loo much TO gain
BY liberal and friendly commercial intercourse
with u.s. 10 hesitate until it be too late 10 offer
such oeral concessions as We may properly &C
cent. That she will come forward with such a
proposition, we cannot suiier GU. minus 10 uouo'
nor thai The question will be honorably adjusted,
despite the savage growls of the \. u Courier,
and the other ioiled originators of the arbitat
scheme, who see In The administration nothing
but reckless desire for war, for The most selfish
purposes.
The passage OF The notice" BY The House
has given clear indications Of speedy and homo
rabe settlement There seems TO be no doubt,
thai this popular measure will pass the Senate
and thereby secure permanent adjustment OF
the controversy.
We shall publish very soon The proceedings oil
Republican meeting in Essex, Col. Jas. Wright
in the Chair, which nominated Col. R. J. Muse
/ as their candidate for the House Of Delegates.