Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-02-12
THE OREGON QUESTION.

THE OREGON QUESTION
The proceedings of the House of Represen-
taives in relation to the Oregon question, which
were looked to n short time since with such in
tense interest as the probable precursor of ono
OF the deepest tragedies enacted in modern times,
are now happily being relieved of their serious
ness, and as we get better view of the actors
and the parts they are playing, assume more and
more the character of broad farce. These bus
kned heroes of the political stage, though they
may speak daggers, have little thought of using
them; for we have seen enough already to salts
iyus that their patriotic rage, indignant and tow
erng as it has seemed to be, is perfectly con.
trollable, and that we can safely rely upon any
number OF themselves that may be necessary to
hold the rest, to keep us out of danger. But
Tor the evil which has been inflicted upon the
commerce and business of the country by this
useless agitation of the public mind, it might
appear comparatively innocent. There is a re-
sponsibiliiy, however, just responsibility, to
which the President and his friends ought to be
held on this point, by an intelligent people, lea
lous OF their rights and interests, which have
been SO shamefully and wantonly triled with
The National Inteiligencer remarks-"The
only effect of agitating the question has been,
we believe, to excite aPprehensions in the minds
oil the peace-loving part of our people--consii-
tuting we trust and believe large majority Of
the whoe-and thus to repress commercial en-
terprize and more or less embarrass all tescrip-
tons of business, with result, already, of a
loss to the country-a detraction from the COM
mon stock of wealth and prosperi,y~-which we
have seen estimated, and we believe not over
rated, at fifty millions of dolars.''
The Philadelphia Gazette says that hundreds
of voyages, that included some considerable time
Tor completion, have been postponed, in appre-
henslon oil a collision between the United States
and Great Brilain-and all this Gas the Virginia
Free Press remarks) sin consequence of the un-
timely Message of the President, AID the un-
wise, as well as unreasonable course of political
asplrants in Congress, who have nothing TO lose,
but all to gain, by rupture in our domestic af.
fairs.''
"One of the natural results Of this state Of aC-
fairs is the use of foreign vessels for the impor-
taion and expectation Of American cargoes, and
what must be the modification to see American
houses filled by means Of foreign vessels, when
perhaps, these very houses have vessels of their
own lying on the stocks, fearful of sending them
out to sea, under the present unsettled state of
our national affairs. The loss too Of unemploy-
ed capital must be great, and will serve TO deter
many from entering this enterprising business
which adds so much Of character to every COM
mercial nation on the earth. American cargoes
coming into and going out of port under Austrian
and Danish Flags! 1t is humiiating, and the
cause of this effect should be speedily remedied.
1t is high time, as the Gazette remarks, that
Congress would learn to know that manufac-
turing party capital from important International
questions, is most dangerous use of power and
position. Let members of Congress calmly in
stltue an inquiry into the amount of mischief to
the business of the country, which has resulted
from the unnecessary proceedings and language
on the Oregon question, and they will find that
months of sober devotion to the true interests of
the country, or an abstinence from ali interfe-
renee, will be necessary to restore the business to
its proper channel"