The New York herald., 1846-04-20
The Oregon Question-Opinions OF the Eng
llsh Prsss.

The Oregon Quession-Opinions or the Eng
llsh Press.
From the London Times, March IL
The 26h, 9Th, and 18th verses ofthe first chapter
OF Genesis are, in the opinion Of Mr.. Jonn Quincy
Adams, the foundation Of the American title the
Oregon territory, and hls case finds some additional
strength from passage in the 81 Palm. There are
moonstruck madmen both in and out of Bedlam,
whose lunacy takes colour from holy writ, and is
the more awful and distressing from the distortion
and debasement OF the sublimest truths which are
embodied in human language; but when we learn
that the ravlngs Of one OF these fanatics were lis
tened to with interest and excitement by one branch
OF the most important legislative assembly OF
the new world,-when we are told that the text
OF scripture, which was to be polluted by this insane
commentary, was read by the clerk at the table OF
the House Of Representatives at Washington,-
and when we remember that all this blasphemous
extravagance Is uttered the apology or the pre-.
text OF an atrocious war, and that the promises OF
God are invoked to justify the rapacly and the law.
lessness of man, we look in vain for any parallel
for such exhibition except IN the idst OF anar-
chy and revolution. A Ademocracy intoxicated with
what it mistakes for religion, is the most formidable
apparition which can starte the world. Il deifies
TO be direct emanations from the law OF God its
will claims divine authority. The hypocrisy OF
the popular leaders feeds the enthusiasm OF the mul-
titude and crimes are committed Of which human
nature itself il hardly capable until il is inflated by
presumption and falsehood beyond all the bounds
of reason and truth.
The speech of Mr.. Adams, which will be found in
another place, deserves TO be recorded as the most
recent and astonishing instance OF its species OF
popular delusion. Yet the affairs of the United
States and the peace of the world are inrusted TO
the prudence OF an assembly In which this scene
could take place. Secular prudence and political
integrity are bent on nothing more than equita-
BILE and anicable termination OF this controversy !;
but they have arrayed againt them the arrogance OF
government too feeble to restrain the bad lmpul-
ses which drive 1t along the excitement OF a po.
Of its acts and, lastly, the frenzy OF religious
thusiasm which confounds the rudiments of right
and wrong. Such is the aspect OF the United States
under their boasted forms OF popular government
Their democrats are aping the crimes OF despotism,
and resuscitating the claims OF prestcraft. The
rights of neighboring nations, the fundamental
principles of public law, the common suggestions Of
humanity, are all sacrificed with a recklessness
vocate war on such motives and tor such objects
as these is to preach an insurrection against the
very principles on which society ID based. Such a
war becomes revolution, and, if It be tinged with
religious fanatclsm, a revolution OF the most un-
Wecannot believe, with one of our most esteem
ed correspondents, that these elements of evil exist
only at the surface OF this democratic society, end
that the Senate Of the United States is prepared
and resolved ITO hearken to no measure calculated
to intlame the PASSIONS and to produce desolarng
war!" Can "the Senate do It's duty faithfully -
Or, that duty be now performed, and the nrgotia-
IlOn DC Ie.Optueu uuOcI auspices OF the
will the temperate and pacific portion OF that body
be able to hold its ground against the excitement Of
the people and the cabas of the Executive In the
hands Of q man like Washington, resoluely c0-ope
rating with the Senate tor the OF peace,
he executive power was strong enough to resist the
popular impulse. But when we have President
melting the popular part of the community TO do
worst, and intriguing In and against the Senate, we
have no trust In the resistance OF that body. The
odds of the constitution are against ii; and the i'm
pedlments it may oppose to the popular will would
only add fresh impetus the sgation OF the ques-
tton Such the fate of the annexation Of Texas,
which was rejected by the Senate, and carried in
another form by Mr.. Tyler; such will be the result
of the present debate on Oregon, long the Pre-
sident and his advisers continue openly or coverty
TO abet extreme measures
Z Whatever may be the infatuation Of the people
and the comparative weakness OF the moderate
party, the main responsibility Of the crisis rests on
the members OF the executive Government of the
United States. With them rests the initiative OF
negotiati0n OF war, or OF the preparations OF war-
They alone are enabled to estimate the dangers Of
the position in which their imprudence has placed
themselves and the country. These dangers, or at
least the difficulties with which they have to deal,
are materially increased by the state Of the relations
OF the United States and Mexico In the latter re-
publicare volution has been successfully consumma-
ted, which has placed the temporary exercise OF the
supreme power in the hands of man who is at
least resolved to oppose the further encroachments Of
the United States on the Mexican territories, to
rescue California from the projected inroad OF
American emigrants, and, 1t opportunity serve, to
avenge the annexation of Texas In Texas tn.
UDlted States have acquired another doubtful ques-
iion OF boundary, and an immense additional extent
OF coast and OF territory, which they bound to
provide with adequate means of defence by sea
and land. Ii would be singular consequence
Of Texas annexation, II the first result oi Its
union to the territory OF its northern neighbours
make il the theatre OF war; But, in the event
Of hostilites between the United States and Great
Britain, such an event is highly probable. The
Mexican government Is evidently influenced by the
probability OF such catastrophe in it's relations
with the Cabinet at Washington. MIR. Slidel, the
American Envoy, has not been received, and he
awaits the further orders OF his government at Jala
pa. The first indication OF hostities towards Eng
land by the American government would be follow
the United States by Mexico The whole comment
Of Norih America, beyond their own frontiers, would
then resent the excessive pretensions OF the demo-
Gratis OF the north The whole coast OF the Pacific
would be closed against the vessels of the United
States: that OF the Atlantic Ocean would be open
to the attacks OF the greatest maritime power
Without an army, without a fleet, without reve.
nue., without credit. with divided public opinion,
strong party opposition, fuctuatlng popuace and
in the Southern States slave population, Mr.. Polk
has thought fit to raise up difficulties which might
appa the best general, the most experienced states
men, ths mightest states OF the old world. We
shall see how he eurmounts them; but he will not
surmount them by inducing England to stoopto con-
fresh negotiation on any other terms than those ct
perfect equality ofrlght to the Oregon territory.
From the London Standard. March l31
The lates. arrivals from the United States bring
New York papers TO the 2lst ut. They represent
the population OF the United States as thrown into
perfect rapture OF JOY by the news from England
This, 10 not very surprising Sir Robert Peeps sub
miseion--or, ss the Morning Chronicle, in it's more
candid days would call 1t, captuationglves TO the
republicans all that they can wish, and much more
than they could expect First, an apology, perhaps
tor pos,poning war 10 which they had committed
themselves, and Tor which they find themselves ut
terly unprepared. Secondly, great profit TO thelI
agricultural and manufacturing industry, gained Al
the expense OF rum to our native and colon indus
try, which must render the profit doubly sweet to
enemies as impacaby hostile the populace OF the
United States. Finally, the reverson OF the Cana
das. Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and all our other
Norm american colonies secured at no distant day
10 the commonwealth thus realizing their demand,
to stand alone In Norm America, unmoested by the
presence OF any European COLONY Oh but we have