The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-02-14

/. :
the great and controlling question. 1t was that
which governed the Baltimore Convention in the
selection of candidate, and hence it became the
wa'chword of the party The IS Lone Star"
b'azed upon every Democratic banner hout
the length and breadth of the land but upon
what banner do you find the Oregon question in
scrbed None, not even an emblem was sug-
gested, as the representation of the Oregon in
'erest. That matter was altogether an after
thought, thrown into the resolutions of that Con-
vention, alter the nominations had been made
ana presenting only the abstract principle of our
right to the territory, which was not questioned
ny any party, ELECTED no cumment--and exeried
no lnteres, during the whole campaign. Why
then, the question recurs, press the matt er now
"A briel reference 10 some of the elements com
b'ned in this effort may possibly suggest the an.
swcr.
AT the commencement of the present session
the President very properly. and in discharge Of
his constitutional duty, communicated to Congress
the condition in which this matter then stood, be-
tween the two countries, and submitted 10 the
wisdom of that branch of the Government the
adoption of such measures as they might deem
most expedient. Some of the members, in ac-
cordance with the views of the President, al
once proposed the extension of our laws over OuI
citizens In that territory, and TO encourage emi-
grafton th'her, by affnrdlng all necessary prD-
lection TO the emgrants and, at the same time,
to make such provision for the increase of our
foreign relations might seem to render necessary.
Such policy, while it would have greatly facjl
lated our amcabe adjustment of the difficulty
would. at the same time. have placed us in a
situation to enforce just rights, whenever il
might become proper 10 do SO. But instead d
| adopting this wise and prudent policy, we Fl nj
three several interests springng up and mans
Testing a determination, at once to plunge tbs
country into war. LIST, the abuliiiunlsts scarce
attempting conceal that their object is to Grip
pie the slavetoding section of our country Cd
the friends of protection, who regard war as
the surest and most effectual means of accom-
pIishng their desired object Sd, the friends OF
| the paper system, who fOresee that a protracted
foreign conflict would necessarily fix that system
upon us for many years To come and might add
yet another class, the Wing party, or at least a
portion of them, who sustain such measures for
cratic party. All Of these various interests and
parties when called upon to aid in providing for
the defences of the country hold back, and say it
will be time enough to do that when the conflict
commences, disregarding the important fact, tina,
our whole Atlantic border might be seriously
injured before preparation for defence could be
made.
| This is consideration which should urge itself
upon the attention Of the citizens of that region.
The remote situation of Western men relieves
them entirely from this evil. An invading foe
could never advance far to subject them to any
inconvenience or loss; their homes and families
would be secure, whilst ours would be exposed
1t is, therefore, not. surprising that Western men
should sustain pTecipitate measures in advance of
preparation TO meet these consequences But
does it not become own Representatives to
| pause, and consider well the deep interest which
we have at stake, before they unite in these
measures! And is it not particularly incumbent
on them, TO require full and ample provision
for the protection and defence of the sea board
before they give their sanction to measures which
must render such protection essential?
| Let our laws be extended over our citizens in
Oregon-et the emigrants be protected on their
way thther by line of forts and slockades, to.
gether with such number of troops as may be re-
qHiste; in fine, carry out all the recommends.
lions of the message promptly hut defer The
| Notice for the present. We should strengthen
our deiences at home-fortify and man our forts
and arsenals-fis up our Navy, by repairing such
Of our national vessels require it, and finishing
those upon the stocks and, indeed, by building
such others as may be demanded. We should
organize our militia, and seek TO infuse into the
public mind the military spirit; and then, il
Wellington should carry out his psrpose OF
throwing the whole military and nava power OF
England upon us at once, we should be prepared
to give them becoming reception.
JOHN B. COUGH,
The Temperance Lecturer, is now in Rich
mond, and will no doubt, visit Norfolk and
Portsmouth. He is a remarkably interesting and
pleasing speaker, and will no doubt attract LARGE
crowds TO hear him, as he has always done
/ trbp ba base IL l.,