The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-20
communicalsd


10 Inc Hon. - NJ CO.
Mr. pEAR STA; have read the speech you sent
inc OF Mr. Owen, of Indiana. on the Oregon ques-
iion, with much pleasure, and, may also say, with
Instruction. For although, as informed you,
went with the administration this question, and
was fully prepared, from the correspondence OF our
able secretary, Mr.. Buchanan, with the British min
lister, TO admit that our title 10 the whole Of Oregon
was unques,lonable, yet MIR. Owen has put us in
possession OF some facts in connexion with the Eng
,iSh claim showing more fully the injustice and fol-
" OF their urging, with 80 much pertinacily, their
uue 10 TINS territory, when il is 30 indefensible.
since wrote you, lind that the course pursued
by the wing press, and distinguished members on
inc moor OF Congress--so little American in its
character-has excited the Misrepresentation Of some
Of the most intelligent wings ia the county so
strongly as 10 induce them TO declare themselves
democrats. And, notwithstanding Mr. Munsum's
round assertion to the contrary, ] do believe that
nine-tenths Of the American people will sustain the
administration upon this question, whether i iermi-
mates IN peace or war. am, moreover, fully salts
he'd, In my own mind, that Mr.. Folks course upon
This question will not only make him more popular
with The people, but will actually reconcile many Of
the wing party 10 his views upon other questions
sueh as reduction modification Of the tariff &c.
ana 90 also firmly believe that, should war be
me result all party distinction will be Loot in the
love OF country, and that we shall all be democrats
Inc fresldent, no doubt. is as anxious as any one
mat this iongyexed question should be settled and
inc course nc Y pursuing y more likely % produce
that has been tried. Yet we find men IN both
houses OF Congrsss-induenced, must think, by
mere party feellnE-throwing as many obstacles in
the way Of It's adjustment possible Let the idle
camor and opposition Of senators to resolutions
mat they afterwards unanimously vote for cease,
and British Pretension to territory to which they
have no just utle will more readily be abandoned.
bat while American stasssmsu sdvor.so the claim,
OF England, we cannot be surprised that she rs On
willing TO relinqush them. IL the opposition ia
Congress only knew how much their course on this
question Is disaPproved Of by the people generally,
without regard 70 party, they would not be 90 will
ling TO continue Il. They are, however, deceived
by their press, which does not speak the sentmepts
OF the people, but merely Of interested class who
no matter how just and honorable that interferes
with their business Of amassing wealth. The rights
OF the country-nstional honor--eyerything Is to
be sacrificed, that they may 60 on adding dollar to
dollar. These selfconstituted patriots and philan-
thropists tell Of the horrors OF war our weakness.
or unpreparedness, and Englands strength and
power Admit IL ALI should that induce us TO sub
NIT 10 wrong With republican form Of govern
ment such as ours, there will be more prepa-
ration than Is called for by the exigeney Of the mo-
ment. The strength Of the nation consists in the
affections Of the people, who are ever found with
strong arms and stout hearts, ready to do battle in
defence OF their country's rights. And is IL not
a true American principle to ask nothing but what
Is right, and submit 10 noihing that [, crong? Will
any Of these miscslled patriots have the bold eron-
terry TO say In the face Of the American people, that
we ought to give up, Of this territory, all north Of
the Columbia They talk Of compromise Do ihey
believe that England will be satisfied with anything
short Of thia Has she made any proposition that
does not comprehend this As to the horrors Of
war, and the suferings Of the American people from
IT, can they show us how we can honorably avoid il
without a surrender Of American territory, and
loss Of national honor
Mexico is not to be permitted to shake finger at
US because she is weak but England, inasmuch as
much Of Oregon she viii have. Such patriots
these cannot humbug or deceive the American peo-
ple-they are too intelligent TO be led astray by
terms. They know that mastery inactivity has
never given us Canada, or even foot Of ground,
and do not believe il will give us the whole of Ore.
gon. They have confidence in any statesman,
be he from the North the South native foreign
CT by birth, who proposes by compromise or arbi-
traton to surrender those valuable harbors on the
Pacific, which would make Oregon valueeSs to us.
i am aware, my denr sir that am treating upon
a subject that has been sufficiently discussed by the
ablest men IN Congress. But l am DESTROYS that
there should be some expression of opinion coming
more Immediately from the people-from the mass
es--the honest yeomanry Of the country. This
question has excited no common interes anon vs.,
the people, and we are all looking toward With
great anxiety to its settlement But 1 mus, tnink,
from all hear---scnator Mangum to the contrary
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS very large majority Of the
American people approve of the course OF the nd.
nnistrstion so Gar; and have the most perfect conf
dence in its ability to manage this negotiation, as
will best conduce to the interest and honor of the ma
ton. Let meetings Of the people be called through
put the country, and my life for it, the cry will be-
The whole OF Oregon, or none. Millions for defence
but not an acre for compromise. In conclusion, |
would advise some of these selfsufficcnt statesmen
% read the speech Of this Americanized Englishmnn
Mr.. Owen) and take some hints that may be useful
10 them hereafter.
] remain,
With great respect, &c,
Your sincere friend, and
CONSTITUENT.