Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1846-01-29

selves to the utmost, l contributed as Tar as
IN me lay to the elevation Of Col. Polk-who,
| Their believed, would make wise, prudent,
and faithful Executive-and l am gratlfed to
find, since his installation into Office, that his
administration of public affairs, has given ve-
" general satisfaction to the American peo
pie II elected, | shall give to his ael.ninistra.
ton my humble. and hearty support. heliev>
ing asI do, that his measures will be conceiv.
cd in wislom--that they will be maintained
with firmness-and that they will promote the
cherished interests of the nation
I believe our title to the whole of Oregon
clear and unquestlonable,' and humbly con,
ceiye that il is our duty to defend that title at
all hazards. fit be clear end unquest;ona5l'
if De true that G. Britain has never made
out. and cannot make out 'eren colora6ie Il
tie to any portion Of the north ,cest coast as was
stated BY Mr.. Clay in his letter constructions
to MIR Rush, under date of June 10, 1886
then it seems to me, that it necessarily fol
lows, that we are bound to terminate the
Joint occupation. by promptly giving the no.
tee, which the Treaty reqn res. IF it be
ours, we should have the control of it--and
the longer the settlement Of the question is
DELAYED, the more difficult will it be to settle
it upon proper and just principles This
question ought to have been adjusted years
ago--and the fact that we have SO long slept
upon our rights, imposes upon lis the indis-
pensabie duty, of taking prompt and decided
measures, without further delay. The duty
OF the government to our own citizens, who
have settled in that Territory, requires this
of US ana the National honor imperatvely
demands it. We should "iasist upon achat is
right, and submit to nothing Mat is ,crong,
aud when foreign nations find that we are IN
tuenccd and regulated by this excellent
rule, our difficulties will be settled promptly.
and to the satisfaction Of those interested.
And is not this territory worth struggle !,
It contains nearly half a million Of square
miles, or in other words more than three hun.
dred millions of acres of Land. Shall it be
surfenderetl?--Shant that which is ours-ours
beyond dispute--be given up?-I would be
Wiling to concede something, rather than in
cur the horrors Of a war-but l would not
consent to yield all that Great Britain. with
out color oftitle. } demands trust that
th's question may yet be settled upon fair
aid just principles, and that war, and all
cause OF war, may be avoided. Let the no,
tce be gwen. and it will show to Great Bri-
tam, that the time has now arrived when this
cause OF difference between the two nations,
must be settled uHon some permanent basis,
and the efforts of the two Governments, will
he moie earnestly and Immediately directed
to renewed ei!olts for the settlement of all
matters IN dispute. In giving this notice, we
are merely exercising right which we have
under the Treaty, and cannot conceive, how
this simple act is to lead to a war.
There Is another maxim. whlch cannot be
too closely puisued-'in tine Of gsqce prepare
foT 0~r.' 1t is the part Of wisdom to place
the nation in perfect state of defence, and
tAus be wei! prepared at all times to assert
our rights and enforce their observance
and when assailed, to defend them. Hence
| would cheeriully sustain all measures, cal
culated to produce so desirable a result, and
would vote for any sum, that the fortiGca-
uons-the Mayor the Army might require
ior this end. These branches OF cur service
have been too much neglected. and whether
this Oregon difficulty shall lead to war or
NOT, does not in the slightest degree affect the
Gu stion.
As to the charte1ng of a new bank Of the
o. states.-the independent 1reasury-the
arlii-and distribution ofthe proceeds OF
the Public Lands my views have been so re-
peatedly expressed in oral addresses in all the
counties Of the District, (save Hardy that
fiatter myself they are fully understood-and
"''Nit iNINSodiS W It 'Sat 'heh IA .''iN
Address. Suffice it tc say, that the resolu-
tons adopted by the Baltimore Convention,
which nominated Col Polk em5ody my
views fully, and by them l am wiling to be
judged.
In conclusion, I have but TO av.that If hon
o'ed by your sufrages, ] will endeavor to dis
charge my public duties in such manner, as
Will show that your confidence has not been
misplaced. Believing, that il is the duty OF
The government, TO practice the NEST rigid e.
conofny in the administration ofpublc affairs,
| shall manifest my regard for your interest,
by Withholding my assent, from all appropr>
ations Of money, which are not inelispensably
necessary. will support all measures, cal
cu'ated 10 check governmental abuses, with.
out stopping TO inquire, whether those abu>
ses had their origin under Democratic CT
Wing ascendancv.
If elected. will carry with me into Con.
gress, that spirit of Independence, which CIV
cry Virginian should possess. Where praise
is due, it shsll be freely given, and where
censure is deserved, it shall not be with
held.
With this brief exposition Of my views,
submit my pretentions, and be YOU decision
what it may, no one will be less likely to
except to it than myself.
Your fellow citizen,
JOHN I.ETCHER
oxirrton VIRGINIA January 21th I346