American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-04-02

THE OREGON QuEsrIoN. Wren a Senator
arises to speak OH 80 grave subject as the
dispute at present existing between the United
States and 6 reat Britain, about the Oregon
territory, it is expected that he will at least
utter common sense if not wisdom-but we
are sometimes disappointed in our expectations,
as in the recent case of Senator Allen, who
declared, that if Congress had promptly passed
the resolution giving notice TO England, and
followed it up by measures to extend our laws
over the territory of Oregon, the whole matter
would have been amicably settled before this
lime, and without the loss of square inch Of
land to the United States. That is, we should
have so frightened Great Britain by our hos
tile demonstrations, that she would at once
have withdrawn all pretensions TO Oregon, and
Welded quiet possession of it to tho United
States. Such language might be pardoned in
a school boy who knew nothing of English
history, but is ineXcusable, when it comes from
= member of the United States Senate Eng
land is not i'll the habit of yielding for such
slight cause, or of being deferred from the pros
ccution of what she may deem her rights, by
the threats of any power-and to suppose
hat we can inumidate her into submission to
our wishes, is to shut our eyes to her past his
tory. 1t would be rashness and folly to rely
upon such means for the acquisition fthe ter
ritory or the settlement of the dispute. Anoth-
or idea advanced by MIR. Allen is equally erro-
noous and obiectionabe-th that is, if war should
gnsuc it will be occasioned by Senators differ
ny from him. On the contrary, we are con-
yinced, that il we have war, IT will result from
the rashness and imprudence of those who in
s,st upon having ''the whole Of Oregon or
uyne;r pretenson that was never advanced
by our Government until it was promulgated
by an irresponsible Convention. 1t is perfect
ly ridiculous to urge that members OF the Sem
ate shall yield the deliberate convictions OF
lueir Judgment, and unite upon measure
which they believe to be wrong, because it has
been advanced in presidential message. We
look to tho Senate for the exhibition OF wisdom
and frmness; and are happy in the belief
that moderate counsels will prevail i'll that
body. No man who calmly examines the sub
iect can entertain the opinion, that England
will submit to be dispossessed of the whole ter
ritory unless at the point of the bayonct and
it is question for the most serious considcra-
ton of our rulers, whether or not that mode
shall be resorted to. England appears TO be
awaiting our action; and it is even said, that
she will make no further attempt to reopen the
negotiation. 1t WILL then, probably be for our
Government. to determine whether We shall
have peace or war. Those members OF Con-
grcss who take their stand on 81 Az, may be
designated the war party; for on that ground
we cannot stand and avoid hostlties. Those
who are for the 49th parallel Of latitude and
compromise desire to preserve peace between
the two nations The issue is to be tried be-
tween these two parties, and as the result may
be we shall have pence or war. We hope that
the Hotspurs may be defeated, and that our
country may escape the blasting scouFgo of
war.