The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-01-10

1 power and greatness, our duty and our
destiny are onwards. We might as
well attempt to stay the waves Of the
Pacific, as to stay the tide OF emigra-
ton, which is setting towards its shores.
If this government had the disposition,
it has not the power to arrest this hu-
man current. But it has neither
neither the power nor the disposition
to do it. There are questions Of pubs
lie right, which may rest in abeyance;
which are not called into daily exer-
else; and need be asserted, only when
required. But such is not the right by
which we hold Oregon. We must
maintain it, or abandon it. A vigor-
Gus and enterprising people are fast in
creasing there, who will possess TIE
country by tho best Of all titles-that
of occupation and improvement; and if
we do not not provide them govern
ment, they will provide one for them.
selves. Already necessity has com
PEELED them to organize their civil soci-
ETY., and to make those arrangements
for the preservation OF order, without
which no civilized community can ex.
ist. tits only few days since they
made known to you, by a judicious and
well written memorial, their condition
and their wants; and asked your inter-
position to remove the serious difficult
ties with which they find themselves
environed. And think you, that if
their prayer is unheard, and their griev-
ances unredressed and if the present
state Of things continue, that you will
find distant colony patiently await
ing your tardy movements. and ready
TO admit your jurisdiction, when you
may be ready to exercise ii? No; they
will feel themselves neglected, cast of,
left to their own resources. the victims
Of diplomatic chicanery or Of national
pusilanimity, and they will seek their
own security in their own power
That great truth, not applicable alone
to republican governments, but com.
mon to all, and which lay at the foun-.
dation Of our own revolution, that pro-
lection, and allegiance are reciprocal,
will soon be heard upon the banks Of
the Columbia, and will inspire the coun-
ellis of the hardy pioneers, who, while
they have sought new home in dis
tant country, have carried with them
the sentiments Of true liberty to the
regions beyond the Rocky mountains.
tits clearly impossible that the pres
ent state things should continue, nor
must confess, do see how it is posi-
BILE that community, inhabiting the
same region. and possessing the same
right TO every part oft, can hold d.
vided allegiance, and be governed at
the same time, by two distinct and dis
tant sovereignties. When the present
anomalous provision was made, the
country was unsettled; for the few hun
ters who roamed over it could hardly
be dignifed with the name Of settlers;
and It probably never occurred TO the
negotiutors, nor to their governments,
that this arrangement would outlive
the then existing state of things, and
would come to operate upon civilized,
a stationary, and a rapidly-increasing
community. - .o.assitl ,-.sss5aa aa gH
But what kind oforder can double
headed government preserve? How
are its departments, legislative, execu.
tive, and Judicial, to be administered |
How are rights to be enforced, or
wrongs to be prevented or punishedl
Two neighbors living within hearing
of each other, are responsible to differ
ent tribunals. and governed by different
codes Of laws. An American killing
an EnglIshman must be tried by an
American court and by American laws.
But how are English witnesses to be
or English disturbers oil
the proceedings Of the court to be re-
moved or punished9 PosAessory rights
are to be judged by the courts Of the
party last getting possession. Con-
tracts are to be enforced by the courts
of the party charged with violating
hem. And wrongs are to be redress
'ed, or satisfied, or punished by the Z
'ourts Of the party accused Of commit Il
ing them. A single American in the II
midst Of an English settlement, or a 4
Jingle Englishman in the midst of an h
american settlement, bears with him a ID
harmed life. Hemay do what he will, Ia
md as he. will; but he is beyond the 1e
each Of restraint, and almest Of punish. d
.isii