The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-02
For the Uunion.

forthe uulon.
GREAT BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES.
The late news from Great Britain while 4, leaves
us in some doubt to the domestic as well as for
elgn policy which may ultimately prevail there fur
nishes, Notwithstanding, subjects for consideration
and reflection
A very able article from the London Spectator,
copied into the Union of Saturday evening lost
opens question for discussion the subject of our
relations with that country. In that article, the
British title to any portion Of Oregon is hardly as
serted, although, by course of reasoning upon
natural law, II evidently designs to establish il.
There is talent and pIausibility in its argumenta-
ton. The law of greater necessity for territory is its
strong point England has surplus population,
that must be supported either upon her own meagre
island or somewhere else To meet the argument
in this point Of view however, we would be COM
PEELED to go back to the primeval stateto the abo-
quiet possession of region inhabit when dis
covered by Columbus. We took possession of il in
virtue of the superior right of civilization over bar
barism-upon the ground that the earth, by the OBJ
vious and expressed will of the great Creator,
should be replenished, cultivated peoped by what
ever race bade fair do it most speedily and efec-
tually. a,.g - .
By parity Of reasoning then, setting aside, as the
article in the Spectator seems to do The right by dis
copey, the nation which should offer its citizens the
largest liberty compatible with security the most
numerous advantages for civilization, the greatest
facilities for enlightened and enduring freedom,
would possess paramount rights to any territory,
especially upon its own continent.
The question then resolves itself into mere diff
ference Of opinion in relation to forms and instu-
tons of government, Well satisfied ourselves of
the superiority Of ours over all Others for the pur-
poses above enumerated majority Of the nations of
the earth, from sympathy with the doctrine of "the
divine right Of kings" would decide against as.
Great Britain processes to--and perhaps does--be.
!sye that her subjects are as free, intelligent, and
NcseYs ia deuelopment of
pass. $500 - !.
us to maintain and extend the principles Of human
! freedom Secdefence, even unaccompanied by a
| kind and fellow-feeling for race, would prompt
us to measures which anagonstical principles, in
other nations, would lead them to regard hostile
4 We are accused--most unfoundedly and unjusy--
Of graspng ambition for the acquisition Of terrific
i ry-our neighbors will not or do not understand
that interests broader and deeper than few acres OF
land, compel US to acquire, whenever we honestly
and peaceably can, new territory, that we may en-
large the area of freedom. Our situation, our pecu-
liar Institutions are irresistbly tending to this
point; we could not avoid il il we would; and al.
though war with any nation would be regarded by
us as great misfortune, rs unchrstian as II ~ UNI
becoming civilized and ChrIstianized nations, such
Il the force of the moral power by which we are
enyroned and unavoidably controlled that no think
ing, rejecting man can now avoid the conslusior
that we must, as matter Of course, ultimately ex
tend the basis of our empire, or fall back upon tho
principles of government which drove our ancestors
|, from the land of their birth.
Years may, and probably will, elapse before al
this will be accomplished generations may be Dor,
and die but the event il most surely in the womb o
= time.
The writer Of this article has no ill-feeling toward
Great Britain-no disposition be in hostile atti
q tudc towards her. We are, however, antagonist
cal in systems Of governments they are satisfied
: perhaps, with their own; we cling TO ours with
zeal that abstes not--an interest that never flags
We all know that the Spectators plea of nsesssif
y has induced Great Britain to place her foot upo
= every inch Of soil in her own and this hemispher'
: on which there was stepping-place; and that sh
has been too successful in retaining, by her maste
ly diplomacy, or the power Of her arms, an undu
y proportion. II not the whole oft The northeaser
y boundary question is case in point and that Of =
issue. IA would seem to be time, however, that OF
q. lust rights should be asserted and maintained
"S anu ~ COLUMBUS,