The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-03-26
DAY MORNING, MARCH 26, 1916.

|
may falter; but | shall take care never to con
tribute by my acts 10 precipitate the country into
| war, when 1t can be fairly avoided | am, ON
| principle, opposed TO war, and in favor of peace
| because regard peace positive good, and
war as positive evil. As good, | shall ever
cling to peace, so long il can be preserved con
sisienty with safety and the honor of tho conn
try and as opposed TO war, shall ever resist it
SO long as it may be resisted consistently with
Tho same considerations. | am emphatically on
posed 10 1t IN this case, because peace in nv
opinion, can be preserved consistently with both
and war avoided without sacrificing either
am opposed to ii for the additional reason because
1t wonld be, in my opinion, highly impolitic-a
consideration never 10 be overlooked when a
question of the kind is under consideration. re-
gard 1t as highly impOliiic in this case, because
believe that, should resort 10 it, we would
lose, instead OF securing, the two objects for
which 1t would be ayowedly declared as shall
now proceed to show
The first is, to secure what is claimed to be our
rights TO the whole of Oregon, under the CRY of
= al Of Oregon or none" Those who would
90 into 1t for that object will, in my opinion find
In the end that 'fnOne," is much more probable
than g ALL" In Gaming TO this conclusion, | con-
cede TO my countEymen the highest bravery, en-
ergy, patriotism, and intelligence, which can be
claimed for them. But these cannot overcome
The great obstacles which we would have 10 en-
counter, compared to what Great Britain would
nave IN contest for Oregon. As long as she has
large lnrce IN The East, and remains mistress of
the Pacific, she will be able to place there a much
more efficient force, and at far less expense. than
we possibly can at present, which would there
decide the contest in her favor
Dnt were 1t Otherwise, from the nature of the
contest, Oregon, though the cause of the war.
would be speedily forgotten. The struggle once
begun would soon cease to be for Oregon High
er and lar more powerful motives would soon
guide the contest. 1t would speedily become \
struggle for mastery between the greatest power
In the world on one side, against the most grow
ing on the other. Acluated by all the FEELINGS he
longing TO such struggle, both sides would out
iorlh All their vgor, energy, and resources, and,
overlooking minor points, would aim to strike tho
most vulnerable point, and where each might
nave the greatest advantage, leaving Oregon to be
won or lost as the contingencies of SO miUhtv
contest might decide.
The next object, as is alleged, is to protect our
citizens In Oregon. What has just been said is
enough TO prove how utterly it must fail Instead
OF protection, war would most certainly sacrifice
them; and that is strong reason, with me. for
opposing 1t. feel our obligation to protect them
as citizens, and brethren, and kindred We have
encouraged them 10 emigrate, and will not give
Voe winch, IN my opinion would ruin and aban-
don them. But what war would fail TO effect.
would be certalnly DaccOmp shed by compromise
on the line offered by The President There are
none of our citizens, if am CORRECTLY informed
settled north of 490. Establish that line, and we
at once give our citizens in Oregon peace and Sc
curlty, and with them full opportunity to realize
their object in emigrang.
But passing from Oregon | take broader cround
and oppose war for reasons looking to the whole
see nothing 10 hope from war, be its result what
IL may. On the contrary, believe that the most
successful and triumphant war that could be
waged-one in which all would be ACCOMPLISHED
which lis most extrayagant advocate could dare
nope ior-ln which we should conquer the Cana
das, New Brunswick, and Nova Scolia-in which
we should drive the British flag from the CONT
nent, and compel Great Britain to Weld the whole
by treaty, in the short period Of ten years, would
be disastrous to US alude not to its ravaoes
and devasatons-tO the oceans Of blood that must
How, and the manifold losses and mseries which
would accompany the war. They are common to
all wars, but however wildly painted, they have
but liitle effect in delerrng brave people from
resort To IT, No doubt these infections would be
very great in contest between two nations of
such immense power, and so situated as TO be able
to do each other the greatest harm in war and the
greatest good in peace. But as great as the de-
yasiatIOn and destruction Of life would be in such
a Struggle, they are OF nature to be speedily re-
paired on our side. The indomtablo Industry
and enterprise of our people, with the great re-
o"uICeS oi Ihe country would soon repair the for.
mer, while our rapidly increasing population would
speedily repair the latter. War has far heavier
calamities for free people than these, though
less vislble-caIamties in their nature not easily
remeded. ! refer TO permanent and dangerous
social and political changes, which often follow in
its train in the character Of the people and their
institutions. A war between us and Great Brit
ain, such as has been described, in which every
nerve and muscle on either side would be strained
to the utmost, and every dollar putin reouisition
which could be commanded, could not fail. under
present circumstances, 10 work most disastrous,
and, fear, incurable changes in the social condi
'ion OF our people, and in their political insitu-
Hons. 10 realize the consequences in this respect,
which must follow, it is necessary to look to the
immense extent to which il would rage II
would IN oil probability prove a Mexican and an
Indian war, as well as n war with Great Britain
and as such would extend 10 every portion Of our
entire frontier, including the Atlantic and the Pa
ciic, the inland and exterior, constituting cir
cult Of probably not less than 1000 miles. IL
would require, in order to conduct it with the en-
ergy necessary TO bring il in 81 short time 10 the
successful termination supposed, especially in a
war Tor mastery, immense exorlions on land and
water. Two nayics-0ne on tie Atlantic and the
other 0D the lakes-and SIN or seven armies