The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-01-05
THE OPPOSITION AND MR.. WEBSTER.

Journed.
THE OPPOSITION AND Mr.. WEBSTER.
| We seize the first opportunity allowed US bys
pressure Of other topics on our columns to say as
we promised, few words in reply to an elaborate
article, published few days since in the "Nation-
al Inteligeneer," which might have been appro-
prniely headed, "THE MoASs OF THE orrosi-
rIoN."
| The leading purpose Of the paper seems TO
be vindcation of the policy OF Mr. Webster, as
shown in the negotiation his treaty and in his
cent stand on the questions of Texas and Oregon.
Besides defending Mr. Webster, however, the srti-
lie in question aims to set forth the value, in free
government, Of oppostons in general, and the wis
dom and patriotism of the present opposition in par.
ticuar We have a word TO offer on both these top
! les.
| Opposition, in such government ours, may,
like adversely, have "its uses" The thing is apt
enough indeed to be both "ugly and venomous,"
| yet we will not deny the "jewel" sometimes worn
sin its head" But when grave controversies arise
between our own government and foreign powers
when American rights in dispute and peril-when
portentous third party into action against US,
prompt and watchful to seize every advantage
which domestic dissension may offer to weaken
our cause, to cripple our resources, ard to
send u.s. shon Of half our strength, into the
conflict either of diplomacy of war--then,
surely, fever, patriot~opposition-nay, an oPPo-
sition pausbly pretending to patrotism--must
guard most carefully both its procedure and its
tone . The mischief it may create is infinite. The
good it can do is neonsiderable Especially is this The
case, when the right against foreign nation, is
wholly on our side. Then, it would seem that an
opposition to the matter in controversy, has abso-
lutcy mission and no just place in our councils
Then has arisen he rery crisis in affairs in yiew
| of which the federal constitution makes us ONE.
The statesman, the press, the party, the policy,
which then lifts finger to annoy or embarrass in
the least an administration seeking to he true its
trust, the constitutional guardian and defender Of
the rights and honor of the country, fear
ful responsibility. An opposition has in such a
case rational pretext for interference II is not
in human nature that an administration can be found
blind and mad enough to force our country into the
horrors Of needless and guilty check against
| this is not wanted and if it were wanted, the check
of an organized opposition would be full of peril, as
tending to strengthen at every step Of its action, both
the heart and hand of the enemy, and thus of neces-
sity, to postpone, preclude peaceful and hon
orable adjustment Of the controversy.
| Proclaim to-day in Downing street that there is
in Congress, or in the country, strong and reso-
lutte opposition fixed in its purpose of gripping our
| government in its conduct of the Oregon question,
and tomorrow you scatter to the winds all hope of
peace for this nation, without loss and dishonor.
Ill nxk
us trust in God, that we are not to be threat
ened with it in any considerable force y would be an
unspeakable calamity. Such an opposition must be
| either a rulity or curse. The Texan question,
now so happily settled, in so far as it was embroied
and complicated by the unoaranabe interference Of
.Nerico, has always seemed to us case falling
wholly within the principles which we have here
laid down. But for the admirable forecast and en-
ergy with which this administration bore itself all
through that matter, the Mexican press and the
Mexican party in this country would have found
itself answerable before God and man for all the
blood and havoc of a Mexican war.
1t requires no ordinary effort Of selfcontrol to be
patient, when the policy of opposition to our govern
ment questions like these ventures to style itself
the "policy of peace" The arrogance Of the
thing is too monstrous. Peace to be secured
with England in a quarrel hard Of adjustment,
by beginning to quarrel among ourselves Why
the one sole hope Of peace in such case, ia the
hope that the pulse Of our whole country shall
1 throb like single mans Dissension, opposition,
divided councils--no man can be blind not
to that these things the forerunners of
war, else of humiliation and surrender, and
disgrace. The policy of peace is the policy Of
6rmness and of union. We keep the peace by
presenting an unbroken front. Iii for admins
tration in such a case to make out the right Of It's
cause. And who shall say that this administration,
aided it was by the great man Of the last admin
istration, has not performed that duty to the ut
mostI
i What we have heretofore written in censure Of
those journalists and politicians who in our recent
controversy with Mexico and in our pending con-
roversy with England, have sought to distract and
unsettle the public judgment Of our country, has,
therefore, been written deliberately, and from our
deepest convictions. We distinctly reafirm il ALL II
was poor business--wretchedly poor business--for
the Charleston Mercury TO parade before its readers
what purported to be true synopsis of the Amer
lean claim to Oregon, so ludicrously distorted and
mutoted to be, in logical and literary point of
view, almost below contempt, and then laugh
to scorn the title 40 stated and enforced. Il
was poor business-of the poorest--in the journal
Of Commerce. to clemor out in advance Of srgu-
ment or investigation, "the claim Of England to all
above 400 is better than our claim" 1t was poor
and pitfiul business in the National Iniegencern
to gather up, day after day, from the most obscure
wing rapers in this country, and thus quote into
respectablliy and consideration every squib which