Mississippi Democrat., 1846-05-13
"5l 4O."

"5l 4On
We are among the number of those
who think the ii sht of the United States to
the whole of the Oregon "clear and un.
questionable" The proofs sustaining our
tile have been placed so often and SO tul-
ly before the world that almost every man
who can read understands them. Yet not
withslanding what we conceive to be our
undoubted right, rather than go to war,
we should be willing to concede to Great
Britain, all north of the 49th parallel OF
latitude and we never have yet met with
one-north or south, east or west--that
was willing 10 concede more. Yet has
any disposition been manifested by the ad-
versary to accept this line2 So far from
it, that the proposition, when fur times
made by our Government, has been con
temptuousIy rejected, and is never likely
10 be offered on the other side. Now this
question must be settled. The interests
of both countries demand that il should
be settIed--and it will be done. Peace.
fully, perhaps, through the medium of
other nations compelling England 10 ac-
cept the line of 40; by war if il may be,
if England refuses to accept it--and If
war must come, it is as well to claim the
whole extent of our territory as part Of
it. We are peaceful nation, The only
one of any strength on earth that is so.--
But our pacific principles must not carry
us to that point which invites aggression,
and renders the maintenance of our posi-.
lion impossible. Peace is an excellent
thing But, as the Philadelphia Ledger
Justly remarks
The advocates of peace have a diff
cult task 10 perform in undertaking to
Danish war from the policy Of nations and
to unite mankind in a common brother
hood of peace. All the principal govern
menIs in Europe are now engaged in
waging sanguinary contests against some
other power weaker than themselves, and
all for the purpose of aggrandizenenl.--
Great Britain, whose journals teach such
admirable lessons TO the United States on
the folly and wickedness of acquiring
more territory, is engaged in bloody, re-
morseless war in India, with a view of
possessing itself of the whole country
1t also has another affair on less exen-
siye scale in New Zealand. The French
are engaged in desperate war in Algiers,
in which they have perpelrated barbara
ties such as no civilized country has ever
been accused of before. The Russians
have overrun The country of the Caucas-
slams, and will not rest satisfied until they
have entirely subduedit. Poland is rising
against her oppressors, and Italy talks Of
a revolution. AS if not satisfied with the
commotion and destruction they have pro-
duced on their own continent BY their ra.
pacity and gtasping ambition, some of
these nations are. engaged in disturbing
the peace of the New World, and uniting
their powers to crush the Republics OF
South America.
And what has the other great power OF
Of the world, the United States, been do
ing 1t has been peacefully spreading
the great principles of democracy and of
human rights, enarelng the "area OF free
DOM" and been extending, establishing,
and protecting the greatness. prosperity
and happiness of the people. II has sought
no wars, made no conquest OF others ter
ritory, except such as its examples OF pros.
perty, has brought willingly into union
with it, and has no ambitions designs a.
eainst other powerful n,tlons, involving
The destruction Of their peace and power.
Even in the case Of Mexico, where pro-
vocation has been given, such as would
| unryant and invite an invasion rom q
more grasping and less scrupuous govern
ment than our own, the conduct of ours
has been forbearing and concllatory to
the last degree, showing that while We
value our own rights we are careful TO
leave others in the undisturbed possession
and enjoyment Of theirs. With such n
contrast between our own and European
governments we think we may leave TO re-
flute themselves, the representations
and abuse OF our country in foreign Jour.
mails, their denuncations against our ambi.
ton, and their hypocritical appeals to our
humanity, not to plunge headIong into a
war for an unjust extension OF territory
Our true policy consists in preserving
! peace, and we trust we may succeed IN
preserving all our rights by Peacelul mea-
sures. We should, nevertheless, be pre-
pared to come out Of a war, should we un.
Fortunately be compelled to go in one,
with hrnnr t, ourselves and defeat TO our
enemy"
We regret To state, snys the Providence
\ Herald. that The health Of Gov. Dlrr is