The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-02-05
From the Cincinnati Gazette.
WESTERN FEELING-WAR.


WESTERN FEELING-WAR.
Some time since we endeavored TO salts
fy the Easl, so far as we could do it, that the
people of the West were neither fire-eaters,
nor in any way war-seekers. If conflict
should come at any time, or place, western
men would unquestioRably be at their post
and 90 their duty. Less would not be
looked for; more, certainly, we should not
ask. But we honestly believe, from the most
diligent enquiry we can make, and we have
spared no pains 10 come at the truth) that
therais no desire Gmong>the People of the
West, as a tchole, to engage in q ,rdr icith
Great Britain abonttke strip fiand in Ore
gon.
The Louisville Journal, and Quincy (Ill.)
Wing, express the same views. The former
of Wednesday, says:
We have pretty wide acquaintance with
the people of the West, and shaye frequent
intercourse with men of all parties, and we
have yet 10 meet a man who advocates war
with great Britain on the Oregon question:
We have heard prominent Locofocos, when
defending their party from the accusation
of favoring war, ask with triumphant air
for The name of one person who was anxious
TO see the two nations involved in the HOSTILE
ties, and no answer could be given. So far
as we have the means of arriving at just con-
illusions ON this subject, we are convinced
that, at the present moment, there are very
few advocates OF war in the West; on the
contrary, the people are peace-loving and
peace desiring people. Ii is foul SANDER on
the population of the West to assert that they
are anxious for war, and they particularly
contemn that SANDER which represents them
as wishing war because it would make bet
ter market for their products.
/ And the Journal proceeds with ability and
directness TO point out how this idea of the
West ''burning" for war has spread abroad,
to show by what means the seaboard, and
ihePowers that be, at Washington. are made
TO believe it, and depict the fall of these, in
West, who are now playing withithe lives and
property Of the world, that they may feed and
fatten their hungry demagogueism. The
plough-share and the pruning hook are the
implements of western men, and commerce
with its peaceful paths upon river, lake, and
ocean, and IFS stony orfiron track on land,
is their chief means of turning the proceeds
OF their labor TO good account. They love not
blood, nor carnage. And though floating
population here and there, or political cabals
at State capitals, or those who represent these
cabals, speak otherwise, yet the sound sense
ofthis Valley, ready to do whatever patriotism
may demand, and, if necessary, to drop the
plough share and pruning hook as they WELD
the sword or point the bayonet, does not de-
sire tUar Uith Great Britain about Ore
gon, If it can be aooided.
But there are some matters connected with
this subject, not alluded to by our contem-
porary, which should be understood here and
elsewhere, especially at Washington and on
the seaboard-as they are now, we fear, the
chief source of our difficulties, home, and
foreign. We allude TO party political con-
yentions, and 10 the manner in which they
are concocted, and the chief end of those
who get them up and direct them. And we
call attention TO this subject now, because
we shall have very soon in the UnioN, and
other leading papers on the sea5oaA, in
large capitals, with private letters of shot
spirit, and war feeling Hthe voice of Ohio"
''the voice of Indiana" 'sthe voice Hlinois,n
&c. The objectcof these conventions are
two-fold. ,aul Leaa...a
l.. To take care of themselves. Men
know what is necessary to obtain office -
Every politician understands perfectly we'll
how place is 10 be gained and kept Pow
er-power-is the means. If there be divis-
sion, all sides fall. But if the s'democracy''
speak with united voice, apparently even,
nj hat L..
else the President or particular political
friends may desire,-lhese leaders put and
keep themselves in a position where seem
ingty they are masters OF the people. ssWhat
will Ohio do?" the politicians ask in Wash
ington. "What is the feeling in Ohio?"
enquiries the merchant in Washington, And
these very men--their organs, and affiliated
helpers-answer, "look at the resolutions of
the people! listen to the voice of Ohio!" 1t
is a voice manufactured by them TO suit the
occasion-to advance themselves? Yet at
the White House, and in New York, it is
made TO pass for the tUiu of the people of the
West, and as representing that these leaders
become the men of mark 9r- 81
2. The second purpose is to build up a
..particular segment Of party. Men must
nave ieVets 10 Work WIN IN the pOa1tc0I dc
in the mechanical world. Without Them
they are powerless. Senators Allen, Cass
and flanagan, take certain position al
Washington; the object of that position is, to
lead OF to anticipate the President, and thus
TO prepare the way for further elevation Oh
continuance in effice. 1fOhio, Indiana, and
Illinois say nothing, they are PROSTATE. Blu
: if they come TO the rescue, if, in convention!
the party speak decidedly, and sustain then
a with spirit, they obtain kwhat they want, ant
they and their friends say 10 all, "See, di'