Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-02-07
OREGON, AND THE WEST.

OREGON, AND THE WEST.
Messrs. GALES a. SEAToN From the tone of the
press in the Eastern States it seems to be assumed
as undenable that in the West the war-feeing is
clearly in the ascendant. Having waited some
time, in the hope that an ADLER pen would correct
an impression which, so far as relates to northern
Ohio, is certainly erroneous, venture TO address
you, being unwilling, as Western man, that ST.
lence should longer strengthen opinion which, if
wel-founded, would be an imputation alike upon
our intelligence and patriotism In the present
state of the Oregon question, it is asserted, without
fear of successful contradiction, that the almost
universal feeling in this region is that with
England would be impolitic, indefensible and in all
its aspects disastrous. This feeling pervades all
parties.
II is true that in the West, as every where there
are some, from reckless inconsderateness the want
Of information, or, as often happens from the con-
sciousness that in respect either Of substance or
character they can lose nothing, who will approve
any change, however calamitous, in the hope that
in the turmoil Of convulsion they may thrive
There are politicians too, and some in high places,
who are controlled by precisely similar considera-
lions. Insensible to the promptings of true moral
courage they willing to demonstrate that they every
inch the demagogue the hope that they may gain control
ling favor with the reckless and ignorant who they calculate
compose the majority. But this question: vital 10 the
West, well the Union, let them beware "lest they
reckon without their host II would that political
plrants fancy they by certainly their way
the noorety which they by INDUCING everlas
ing TRADES concerning the gaspng policy Of foreign Powers
and BY most vaoouy gasconadng about national honor their
iegned love for peace if it he only honorable peace their
narrowing sppehensons lest the fntes should even by
construction tanish the nations reputation and their read
be inundated for the country could they by
that means but keep threatened honor bright All this
10, fko
he'll hounds of !" let the nation be aroused from its
day dreams to the realization of mortal conflict instead of
the sound and fury signifying nothing which falls
ceaseessy from high places upon the nations ear, let
awake to the Of let the denceles cities upon
lake border become targets for artillery, and the growing
Of this American Mediterranean be swept dust in the
whrlwind then, when millions Of have been wasted
aud thousands innocent Of the wckedness Of this contest
have been slaughtered the nation will remember that all
suits from the rodomontades Of pseudo statesmen and those
active IN Fastening the advent Of such evils have acqu
ed notorey, but will be coupled with execation they may
have attained to eminence, but it will be eminence Of
nfamy.
Could the people the West speak their real sentiments
1t IS earessy asserted that decided majority would declare
against Tor Oregon The public mind has not yet been
moved by any evidence Of the necessity Of war; There no
convection that result deporabe be honorably
avoided On the contrary the prevailing feeling clearly H.
that war comes, will not be because less
will It be because desrahe-but that il will come il at all
solely as the rut Of reckless counse Of indecent haste
Il nov
derived from lmposts upon and the national exJ
diture be quadruped by military operations on scale vast
enough TO enable 10 cope with colossal antagonist let
this burden by taxation fall directly upon the people, and this
too when we are already taxed TO the limit Of endurance
TO meet State expenses and the interest upon State debts
and superadd to all the distress which will follow the nev
table effect Of war; from paralysis Of all the ordinary forms
Of industrial production other words while You add four
fold TO the direct burdens upon the people, diminish
equal, II not greater ratio, their ability pay and needs
prophetic ken to forete the whitening indignation which
will overwhem the guilty authors Of such suffering and ruin
II is idle to ecur to the feeling enlisted in behalf OF the
That contest felt by the be necessary
10 vDdcate personal rights, which had been aany vioa
ed But about Oregon invited will be- if il comes
rather than forced upon US would be about thai
which, the people, would be practically an abstraction
The West is pre-eminenty indebted for her prosperity
peace The rapid march Of frontier upon the wilderness
the cultivated FARMS the thriving villages the clustering cite
which the Of advancing civilization is stewing
wide domain sre in their stages Of development tn
buds and blossoms and maturing fruit of peace But
the embrace Of war; and desoaton will stalk along from
tier, and cities will waste away under the burnngs
iron hail Of murderous conflict England is EARNED to III
teeth" possessing pofuson the terrific deathdeang agent
which invention and science have devised when provoked
the onset she will strike where most vulnerable and
aldefenceless are, before make head again
her. we must bleed at every pore But how ng thes
horrors when, in the eye Of the demagogue, "honor II
voved OF what moment is the shock which Civilization
will receive from bloody between two great Christa
Powers, polutng morals and letting loose herce hae AND
thirst for revenge ranke for generation between thos
who ought do for humanity than the world beside
when g honor" is the watchword,
i Honor thou blood stained god,
i ssAt whose red altar sit and homicide,
what hdeous crimes have been committed in thy name
Politicians tell that States whom the future opens
career Of high prosperity, stand ready TO offer the
manufactures their commerce. and their citizens on the alta
OF freedom in for Oregon All this may do 10 fill N
rounded periods Of hssngues desighed for Buncombe
Tried however, by the standard Of and righteousness
the States Of this Union and the millions Of popusto
have rights and interests too real too solemn, TO be ucd wit