Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-02-14
THE OREGON QUESTION.
A LETTER FROM WILLIAM @. RIyEs.
OF VIRGINIA, .
TO A FRIEND IN WASHINGTON.
CAsTIE HIM, FEBauARY 81. 1886.

My DEAR SIR: We THE PEOPLE. have been con-
emplating with small degree OF anxiety the pro-
aress of the discussions at Washington on the ques
ton Of OREGON fundamentally from political
pursuits, and without the slightest desire ag in to
engage in them, have, nevertheless, as good cit-
zen, not been able to steel myself into Indifference
to what so nearly the interests and happi
ness of our common country. Thoughts passenger
only, one may be allowed a natural feeling Of sol-
ctude for the safety of the ship in which the lives
and fortunes of us all are equally embarked:
Itcan no longer be disguised whatever little oc-
cason there is for it in the reason and nature of
things, that the question of Oregon from the extreme
grounds OH which it has been placed by the teme-
rity of politicians, is i'll great danger of becoming
question Of Peace or War. War with the most
powerful nation of the earth for terra incognifa
Of undetermined ownership, to which an absolute
and erclusiDe title in the United States has long
been denied, while equal right TO settle and oc
cupy it with other nations is unreservedy admitted
is too grave contingency, however lightly it may
be deemed Of by tire orators at Washington, not to
awaken all the attention of sober and thinking
People To them it seems in the first place, considering the
vastly superior power Of of the parties that element by
which only the country in dispute Separated from
BY almost nterminabe desert, aordng nothing for the
Of army be approached with an adequate
military force that to provoke for in the present naval
and military disparity of the Powers, would be the
tain Of losing the very object of the contest WHILE if
things be left the silent and natural operation of me aided
by legitimate and judicous of policy the territory
become peaceful and undputed conquest the
enterprise of American emigration.
Booess and fatal the would be in regard its i'm
mediate object its calamtous operation all the great interests
of the nation it is hardly in the power of language describe
Commerce, agriculture navigation would at feel its
lid
haunts deprived Of their profitable markets The
noble cities seaboard the great empoums Of trade and
the proud monuments of American industry and wealth, would
be exposed almost certain devastation by the immensely
superior and overpowerng marine of adversary, with
all its improved engnery of destruction The best blood Of
gallant counymen would be poured like water upon
hundred battlefels The hardeamed substance Of the
people would be extracted from them for the support of
widewastng contest of lmitabe duration load of debt
and taxation would be enaied upon posery Every scheme
Of social and political amelioaton would be arrested amid
the clangor of Our institutions, designed for the
cuy of liberty and the interests of peace and humanity
would be exposed to and dangerous bias from the
mary usages and stern exigences of and, Short Anne
can improvement and development in all their branches,
would receive reogade check, from which century would
suffice to restore them.
BY some aware thought altogether unworthy
deemed lofty and praiseworhy patriotism rush
upon the slightest pretence perfectly blind and Indifferent
consequence and that war, with England especially
always welcome the national preudices and certain pass
port to popularity for those who promote and advocate it.
Others there are fear, who, without at all participating
these sentiments, yet withheld from boldly and manfully
opposing hem by the idea that whoever daes himself
the advocate Of peace becomes the doomed end inevitable
tam Of popular odu Both Of these classes politicians in
my humble Judgment greatly mistake the feelings the sound
and by far the largest of the American people, The
people desire peace They know how intimately connected
il with their webeng the fair rewards OF their industry
the prosperity Of their families the haowed associations Of the
domestic altar 1t is they who pay the cost of war. bear its
burdens, feel its sacrifices.
1t less dishonor their humanity and intelligence to
suppose that they cherish unchsan and incapable
against the land of their fathers from which we have
derived reeborn spirit and the whole circle of
moral social, and political characteristics They know full
well is through rich inheritance of freedom
and AngoSaxon energy and enterprise that all that
are-presening in the eyes of mankind example of pro-
gress and development hitherto unparalleled in the history Of
the world If we have had quarel with England they have
been noby avenged and noble disdans brood
dictvey the past Rather would they look upon Eng
land and America, in the language Of Edmund Bukes ADM
abe letter Dr. Franklin the close Of the Revolutionary
contest the two branches Of the great AngoSaxon ia
my, destined henceorward exalt their ancestry
language literature, and religion by generous rivalry in the
humanizng arts OF peace and science and the mutual
changes Of a friendly and beneficial commerce.
If any politician, then, should suppose that he gain
popular favor by melting unnecessary with England,
he win, in my opinion, have committed grevous mistake
The who will himself the largest share Of
the general confidence and respect he who shall most
strcnuouy preserve TO the nation the blessings Of peace
and who, shall in spite Of all his efforts to avert
it, will be found standing firmly by his country in her
hour Of need Hisory has read TO instructive les
on this subject which have been lost upon the intel
lgent people Of America II recorded that when Of
those war-sgitaors whom Putsrch significantly describes
public barTats, while attempting TO iname the people Of
Athens to war; reproachully Intercepted Phocion Dare
you, Phocon dissuadc the Athcnans from !" Phocop,
who had been called by the voice Of the people less hsn
rtyre times TO the command Of the Athenian armies, and
had approved his vslor and generslshp in many
calmly replied, Yes dare though know thou woulst
be in my power I'M time Of war, and shall be in thine in
time Of peace" On another occasion Demoshepes whose
resisess ebguence know fumined Greece to
Mscedon and Araxees hrone sought drive this gallant
advocate of peace and fearless champion in from bis pa
cc counse the Athenian people by thus addressing him
The Athenan people viii certainly kill thee, Phocion,
day or other" Phocion answered, they win kill they
mad but viii be goa, they in their senses" The
history records that Demoshencs the eloquent apos
tie of war; in the evememorabie and decisive day Of Che
ronea, quilted his post threw away his and fled from