Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1846-02-11
For the Palladium
THE OREGON DIFFICU lily.


his frey Indignation. in strains caught from Of
the eigntdelars aday heroes Of Congress. against the
British for daring to assert claim to the Oregon
Truey, stranger Coming arnongs. ne would be .pt
set down a very warke people, after hearing the
big thunder made by our little guns in Congress and echo
cd by each Sir Bombastu. of itani think that Her
Majesty had bettor try claw of the difficulty. on
any terms she ca rather than face the ery wrath 81 our
Indignation.
But scrousiy is this war like spirit premature and
unneessary this stage Of the Oregon are
we not Yashly provoking war, which will bring
thing knocks empty purses without advan-
cling our title one jds beyond where it vii! Do when the
Great Britain is powerful nation, possessing vast
s0irces and where ker pride is enlisted. willing and ca
rapidly advsnsine pesps, with bouaile,, resources.
and daily sugnsntng power and capable OF CARVING on
session Of territory 80 distant, 'ani of which We are
prepared 10 make little use) this time. rather than
ten or twenty years hence Justify us in rushing into
contest which will perhaps lose thousands of valuable
lives, and hundreds Of millions Of propertyand which
in the end. will probably have be settled by negoa
Gon
What great emergency has arisen. to induce take
immediate Of the country Britain has made no
demonstration at least that have heard of to
sake il ersclf and surely have elbow for
people for many years to come, in the mighty country
the petty officers of the Hudson Bay Company have
interfercd with people, who have made the Oregon
tho joint occupancy treaty. without violating its ob'ga
tions cannot we ALSO until such time as We Shall
want it for our use And she surely cannot com
plain Of cove rnment doing for our Citizens, only
What gain by for Oregon nothing,
nothing repeat which will not possess ultimately
without it, The country must inevitably bs in the
end, and have everything TO gain, and little to lose
by delay. Britain the other han1 has thing to
lose by letting the subject it Is Our people
restless fond Of adventure, every pushing from
tier farther the wderness-an the tim. is not far
distant when States will lie along the foot
Of the Rocky Mountains. As consequence, people
viii nrepouderate in the Oregon itself AMI whatsoever
Of British population there may be- will be far Amer
canizsd prefer government in which they have
interest," and voice. to far distant oppressive TO its
inue to the interest of her MOBILES her
mammoth monopolies
This then being the what will be the effect of
delay upon part As said before progressing
rapidly gaining in every element Of power Our popna-
ton augme ntng ycar in ratio unknown to the nations
Of the old world And consequently our munitions OF
strength. increasing in degree proportional to
sarv remain where she IS advance but sowy y, in
all the elements Of strength which she rely in the
event Of a struggle by arms, for the possession
By time will have own people. in close proxirn-
y the disputed territoygool roads, and canals for
the transportatons of the munitions of war, and above
all people in territory ITSELF devoted
that il then Great Britain. shall deny what is Justly
Of shall have every advantage over her. which
have not and change our position from assaants
Of the British, to the def ndcrs of our country
Thus while it seems to have every thing to
gain, by letting the subject remain as it IS for few
years more we find the government anxious to push
delay, willing to let things remain they This is a
strange anomaly and f.hey look with their usual avarcs
upon the ground Of hoping TO make the assaants and
he defenders; knowing
would be likely have the sympathy the world; and
thus show at least not the justice their
side
Many think, land among them with the best OPP
portunty Of knowng) that the termination Of the Joint
occupancy treaty, does not necessarily imply collision
between the countries. But for my part, cannot
sec how otherwise If we tell her that
tired Of holding the country in partnership. that wish
TO dissolve tho firm and carry the business
name; and than that take all the stock in
for SHARE she will be very apt TO think to
do what say-and will claim what she thinks is her
# tn de and chatte
treat Britain has said emphatcally "tat she
rights in the Oregon better than own" Can any
think for then, that she will stand idly bv
without attempt to interfere. when shall have
tilted her of the termination of the joint occupation of
Will she pocket the afront, vent her nignaton only
in look of silent contempt. at our presumption fear
John Bull has much of the Bull Dog in him for
MS indulge in such hope:-Rather think he will tell
US that il take it, may have it. and not before
This then being think common view of the
atter:-dces il behocve look the subject
all bearings; to ascertain all the advantages and disad
vantages likely to accrue to u.s. by entering into War
for the Oregon TO contrast the gain and the losses and
find out whether the sole possession now rather than f
teen 30 years hence, will be equivalent for the
sacrifices must make for its possession.
First then is certain, that should at that time
possess it, without having battle for may have
to now And all the difficulties may still surround it,
environ at this time. This is admitted. But time
like water, wearsdown many asperities and lights
b. thrown upon the subject. which will greatly aid
bringing it to a settlement, without to arms.
Again, shall then possess power. which We do not
our demand. being respected; goes great way 10 dn-
ish the difficulties Of settlements particularly
claim founded in justiceeven without the necessity of
exercising that Power in the Settlement
Again. If should have go to at least all must
acknowledge that our increased power would give
chance of carly termination of the struggle. And
then multiplied of defence render less LA
able sacrifices of property, than at the
time.
five forced into war now we will have to defend
the Oregon under disadvantage. We will have
to transport all munitions of war; troops, &c
wide spreading wilderness and the rugged mountains to
get to the seat Of the war Our armies will of conse-
quence be i'll supplied. While Britain through her i'm
navy transport her troop. and munitions. By
sea: and always keep the requisite supplies She
penetrate inland with her vessels BY the Columbia.
without forts of consequence owned by TO repel
her. She thus establish herself little in the
territory, strongly, with difficulties interve
ninR) bid defiance efforts disiodge her 1t