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

petual Peace supposing the exercise Of only mod
crate degree Of prudence on both sides, Il would
seem TO be impossible that any conceivable com
binaiion of circumstances should ever involve them
in war But the long roll Of history, as caancel-
lor oxenstern remarked two or three centuries ago
shows but too clearly how little prudence is employ
ed in the government Of the world and the present
case is one Of tho most striking demonstrations Of
the observation. From the first establishment OF
the British colonies on this Continent up TO the
present tims--wth the exception, perhaps, Of the
short period ofthe Common wealth--the British gov
eminent have mistaken their policy in regard to
America, and, instead of carefully eultivating friend
y relations with view to the largest possible inter-
course, have been always seeking some immediate
selfish advantage to the utter disregard OF our rights
as well az their own well understood interest Their
pretensions they have maintained with degree
Of wrong headed pertinaeity which has twice
plunged the two countries into open war, and
has kept up, even in time OF peace, an irrita-
ton on both sides that creates constant tend
dency towards a repetition of the same disas-
trous result. The colonial system, which
she forced upon us for nearly two centuries, was
founded in manifest-we may almost say svow-
ed-injustiee. She prohibited US from trading
with any country but herself; and her most
liberal statesmen openly declared in Parliament
that they would not permit US, II they could help IT,
to manufacture hob-nai for our own consumption.
When by this iniquious system she had compelled
US 10 assert our Independence, sho commenced an
Of exercising her belIigerent rights over nsa,nAs,
which again drove us into open was. No sooner was
this new struggle brought TO elos by tho conelu-
sion off general peace, than Great Britain began 10
exhibit the same unfrendly spirit ia regard to the
settlement Of the boundary line between tho two
countries. She claimed, and fairly induced us by
dint Of importantly yield, large section Of the
State of Maine, which, before the signatures OF the
treaty fairly dry, her prime minister exultingly
admitted in substance, in open Parliament to have
been ours Not content with this ilI-gottsn advan-
tage, she is at this moment playing the same gam
over again at the northwest Four times have the
government of the United States, in their anxious
desire to maintain peace, made offer equivalent to
cession by of more than five degrees Of latitude;
and four times have the British government rejected
this offer, insisting two degrees more, although,
by the admission Of their strongest friends in this
country, they have not colorado title to-as
in fact they do not themselves claim an exclusive
sovereignty ina single inch Of ground in any part
Of the territory And yet there persons among
who consider it owing to the fault Of govern
ment that this long-pending controversy is still kept
open: and yet there are persons in Europe who ac-
the United States Of grasping spirit because
they venture to maintain what they suppose to be
their rights, while they display at the same time the
greatest moderation in their method putting them
in force.
Beneficial to both parties, beyond all precedent or
parallel, as would be the maintenance of perpetual
peace between Great Britain and the United States
disastrous on both sides, suicidal that Of Great
Britain as war must necessarily be-we are, there
fore, compelled to declare, that it is far from being
out of the question, since it has twice actually
occurred. And although we do not look to it a
probable result OF the present controversy, we must
still consider it as within the limits Of possibility
II becomes important, therefore, to inquire in what
way should it actually occur, it would affect out re-
lations with other powers, and how far may rca-
sonably calculate on support and cooperation from
the leading states of Europe. -...
Our relations with France s~d Russia rest on tho
ural basis of permanent peace, and mutually pro6ta-
BILE intercourse. With France they rendered more
cordial and intimate by the recollection of the mpor.
tant aid which we received from that nation at the pc.
Rod of our struggle for national existence; and will
unite by the common interest which they feel as mari
time powers, in defending themselves in time Of war
against the pretensons Of Great Britain to dominion
over the high SEAS This latter circumstance would
probably determine their relations to the United
States and England in the event Of war. Great
Britain would no doubt exercise again what she calls
her begerent rights seize the private property OF
individuals even in the hands of third parties-to
impress her subjects even under neutral flags, and
to blockade whole continents with slip of paper.
France and Russia would probably not acquesce in
these pretensions, and would find themselves thus
placed at once by the force Of circumstances, in alt
lance with the United States in open hostility to
Great Britain. The other powers of Europe which
are equally interested in maintaining the freedom Of
the seas, would naturally adopt the same policy,
and third armed neutrality might be organized,
bracng, like the two preceding enes the whole con-
tinen, Of all the Christian powers, Mexico alone
might be expected to array herself against us and on
the side of England.
We are told, however, by M. Guzot, speaking
from the tribune of the French House of Deputies,
as prime minister of France that Gin the event ola
war between Great Britain and the United States
Upon the Oregon question, the policy of France will
be strict neutrality" This is no doubt true. The
policy Of all countries in regard to all wars, in
the subject of which they have no direct interest is
neutrality But in the present case how is the
trality Of France to be maintainedi Will Great
Britain, at the very eliminating point of her political
and maritime asccndency, relax from the prctenso9s
which she has enforced for a century past, against
all opposition, at the lannon's MOUTH VIII France,
for the first time since she has existed nation
acquiesce in those pretensonsl II neither of these
questions can be answered in the affirmative, what
becomes Of M. Guzot's neutrality ~ ~, ~
n In mt In he dispuiaed oweyer. that es