The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-06

event of war between Great Britain and the
United States on the Oregon question, the commu-
nifty Of feeling and interest which exists between
us and tho continental powers Of Europe in regard
to maritime rights would unite them all on our side,
Instead Of conending singe-handed with her, as We
did in 1912, should have all the other Christian
nations, with, perhaps, the exception Of Mexico,
making common cause with US under the lead Of
France and Russia, as they did in the war OF the
revolution. Another armed neutrality sncrcling with
its combined fleets, the whole expanse of the ocean
from the coast OF China To the mouth OF the Co
umbia, would assert for the thina time, the freedom
Of the seas, and would never quit the contest until
Great Britain herself should be compelled 70 give in
her adhesion again to the liberal code OF maritime
law, as she did more than century ago at Utrecht.
In resigning the sceptre of the ocean, she must
also resign her vast projects of colonial en-
pre- in possession and in prospect; permit her for
eign domnions to escape SUCCESSFULLY from her
grasp, and settle down quietly upon her own little
"fast anchored island" a second or third.rate
power, wiser, and probably happier, though less
formidable than she is now.
Such might be the natural result ofa war upon
United States. The COOL clear-headed sagacious
statesmen who direct the public affairs Of that coun
try well aware Of oil this, and will not be in
haste to encounter terrible chance for the sake
Of few square leagues Of uninhabited territory
the northwest coast Of America. The British press
may bully and threaten-the government may ad-
here with immoveabe tenaeity to claims that have
not even a color of right long as 1t can possibly
insist upon them without mourning the risk Of war;
but il is under bonds, enforced by the irresistible
cessty Of maintaining its ascendency on the ocean,
at all events to keep the peace.
For this reason alone, were there no other tend
ing To the same conclusion, we have long consider
ed il settled point that Great Britain will scarce
y, under any conceivable circumstances either make
war upon US or permit US to make war upon her
She may, in accordance with her usual overbearing
department towards all foreign powers, insult, plum
der, browbeai, and threaten US as long choose
to submit to such treatment without actual resis-
tance. When she finds that we are determined to
resist she will recede, she did in lSI2-ifit be
necessary, somewhat promptly, and without much
regard to what is called the point Of honor rather
than risk war.
But the danger TO the maritime ascendeney Of
Great Britain, which would be the inevitable result
Of war with this country, is not the only one TO
which she would, in such an event, be exposed.
The Oregon question in England is of still more vital
importance to her than the Oregon question in Europe.
The fabric of her present power and prosperity,
brilliant is almost beyond precedent in the his
tory of nations, rests On frail foundations, which
would receive tremendous-perhaps fatal
shock-from a rupture with the United States.
We shall submit few remarks upon this branch Of
the subject in another paper