Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-02-28

stahu. ne game was OH Tie Doaru tne WODe
rested with this Government. A moUe was offered,
and, being objected to, seifhdrawn. In this state
Of the case the opposite party proposes to end the
trial Of diplomatic skill, and leave the matter to the
decision Of dsinterested- judges. This offer being
rejected, as not sufficiently comprehensive, our adj
versary renews the offer in the broadcast possible
form, and leaves the choice of arbrators pretty
much at the disposition of the United States and
this second offer is rejected.
Thus, then, the matter now stands: IL no further
more be made-if the notice be given, and, in pur-
suance of the Executive recommendation, Congress
undertake to extend the jurisdiction of the United
States over "the whole of Oregon conflict of
armed authority necessarily ensues, if War do not
even earlier put an end to all hope Of amcable ar
rangement.
The policy which has led to this state of things
the government paper has heartily approved.
Referring to the fact of such appreciation, we
said that the :" Union" had not presented single
argument. to sustain the act of the Executive by
which arbitration was sc0rnfuly rejected. The
I" Union" reproduces portion of one Of its articles,
which il contains within its few lines great
number Of separate facts and arguments against
arbitration las a principle of public law That,
however, is not the question between us and the
government paper. The question is not upon the
merits of this principle of public law, whether it
might not be better were it other than it is. We
believe that the law is, in this respect as it ought
be in all things, the perfection Of reason. But this
law stands in the way of the Administration and
the government writers, and they have accordingly
violent spite against it. We have the authority
of Hudibras for saying that few persons have
So oc he 10 he bay IL,
selves within the range Of its just infections.
But it is too late in the day for this Government
to undertake to set itself up against the Law of Ma
TONS to declare itself absolved from all obligation
to respect those great principles of public law, de-
duced by human reason from the nature Of man.
and his social obligations, for the direction and go
vernment of human societies. The Law of Nature
is not less obligatory upon States than upon ndvi-
duals. As this law is immutable, and the obliga-
tons that arise from it necessary and Indispensable
says pattel, nations can neither make any change
in it by their conventions, dispense NTH it in their
own conduct, nor reciprocally release each other
from the observation of it." TO refuse to recognise
and respect the established principles Of information
al law would be to outlaw ourselves from that family
Of Nations TO which it has been heretofore our pride
and our honor to belong andto become, said the
other day, disturbers of the peace Of the world.
There is no principle OF National Law more uni
yersay recognised than that force ought not to be
resorted to in controversies between Nations, until
every amcabe mode of adjustment has been tried
in vain; for says Patel, g those who run to arms
without necessity are the scourges of the human
race barbarans enemies to society, and rebellious
violaors of the law Of nature or rather the laws
of the common father of mankind
timetable accommodation is the method which
Nations first required 10 essay. Compromise
is second method Of bringing disputes between
nations TO amicable termination. Mediation is
another mode; and, finally, Arbitration. This"
says the same authority already quoted. /. is very
2 reasonable mode, and one that Is perfectly con-
= formzble TO the Law of Nature for the decision or
every dispute which does not directly interest the
safety of the nation" The duty OF resorting to
this mode of adjustment is thus unanswerably en-
forced by the same writer:
:" What idea should We entertain Of prince or a
nation who would refuse to give up the smallest
advantage for the sake Of procuring to the world
: the inestimable blessings OF peace Every Pow
er, therefore, this respect to the happiness oil
: human society, to show himself open to every
mode of Cancellation in questions relating to nte-
rests which are neither essential nor of great i'm
portance. If he exposes himself to the loss of
: something by an accommodation, by compro- |
mise, or by arbitration, he ought 10 be sensible
: what are the dangers the evils, the calamiles Of
war, and to consider that peace is well worth o
: small sacrifice"
Similar language is held by every respected wri-
ter on the Law Of Nations. We need, however,
to the established authority of Patfe only add that of
Bmlamaqu, who, speaking, of the modes Of de-
Gliding differences between nations without war,
and stating the first mode an amicable confer
ence between the contending parties" goes to
say:
The second way of terminating differences be- |
tween those who have not a common Judge, is |
to put the matter 10 arbitration. The more
potent indeed often neglect this mode bit i. ought
certainly 10 be followed BY THOSE WHO HAVE ANY
REGARD TO JUSTICE AND PEACE. And it is a way
that has been taken by great princes and people,. .
We need say no more, we are satisfied, to con-
vince our readers that the Executive has departed
from the safe if not obligatory, prescription Of the
Law of Nations, in rejecting Arbitration twice pro-
posed to it by the British Government, and espe-
cially under the circumstances which characterized
the last offer and rejection Of it.
If we were so disposed to extend our re-
marks, we should refrain from doing SO after learn
ing when we had got thus far of the course of the
debate in the Senate yesterday, Of which we have
just heard with satisfaction which we have no
doubt our readers will partake with u.s. Now the
subject has got into hands so able shall not pre-