The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-02
The OREGON TREATY.

readers the following paper from the pen OF a gen.
tleman, who, though yersed in the political affairs
of the country, is no longer politician. IL speaks
the judgment which he has formed OF capital
measure in Mr.. Folks administration, as seen by
him from the "loop-hole of his retreat" Our
readers will observe that the article is written in no
spirit Of partisanship Not undertaking to endorse,
Just as they stand, all its propositions, we yet COM
mend it to the attention of those who would form
candid Judgment of the matters which he discusses.
On the subject of Mr.. Folks reference of the treaty
to the Senate the writer, it will be perceived, thinks
and speaks with much distinetness and force.
| Communicated.
i A few words may not be inappropriate to the
treaty with England believed TO have been recently
ratified by the Senate and TO the earnings OF those
who here and there speak aloud their disappOlnt-
| ment al its peaceful result. have no objection
to such criticismi would stihe it if | could
rather like 10 see It, as often as chance occurs
both that we may try TO set 1t right, and that we
may contrast its chipping cayll IN few wing
| presses with the ready and general appreciation
| rendered TO the Presidents course.
| Il is assumed by all, and dsbelleved by none,
that Mr.. Polk recently submitted TO the Senate
treaty Of compromise Of the respective claims Of
England and the United States to the Oregon ter
rItory. The terms, and probably the very form Of
moment, through her sovereign, her ministry, and
her minister plenlpotentiary living among us, has
been calm courteous, and dilgent IN her efforts TO
settle this important controversy. What are the
precise terms Of this treaty the couRtry at large
does not as yet know; but il is believed that It's terms
| give more, conceds more Of Oregon to US, than
has been offered TO in previous negotiations;
and as we have seen, more than some OF our
able and patriotic Legislators have said In Con.
gress, we entitled TO receive. But" say
the dissatisfied few, "thls treaty il cOmpro-
mise which should never have been yielded by
those who claimed the whole OF Oregon, and
| who have said that our tile TO that whole was
clear aud unquesuonabe >" Mr.. Polk has said
these latter words. Let look for moment to
the part he Is believed to have taken in this treaty
A brief notice Of it will easily meet the sparse COM
plants Of his Inconsistency" and prove his rect
| tude and patriotism.
The President it is said sent to the Sc nate along
with the treaty, paper in the form Of protest, or
dissent from it's srms IL he did this, he exercised
| his right and his dlscretion and assuredly proved
the consistency of his recent with his former pro-
ugated opinions and assertions. BIT, says again
| this hypothetical denunciatoT, Why any COM
PROMISE" Mr. Polk, we may presume, sent the
treaty into the Senate because that body, as we'll as
the House ofRepresentatves, at the present session
in passing the resolution giving the "notce" 10 Eng
land had whilst they vested him with full discretion
in his course interfered with his powers of negota
tion-declared their desire for "amcabe" settle
ment Of the question. And this forms just and
sufficient reason whether he individually sanctioned
or disapproved its terms, why he should submit the
treaty to the Senate for their "advicc and consent"
"a to its ratification But more; lie had presidents,
illustrious and sure, in Washington, in Jefferson,
and in Jackson, who did exactly the same thing in
similar circumstances. This has already been
shown in the columns OF the Union. General
Jackson took a like course, where his in
diyidual opinion was in favor of the treaty
on the award Of the king of the Netherlands.
He submitted it to the Senate, and il then
ected; and, this fact brought to mind, adds another
TO the civil gories Of his great renown. They who
Just now attempt to censtire Mr.. Polk upon this
subject un Willingly bring the memory Of the "Old
Hero" into the same category; and they who quote
his almost last words Of "no compromise but at the
lannon's mouth"-ut,ered in his retirement, and
with individual conviction net stronger than Mr.
Folks TO clear and uDquestionable title to
Oregon-these, we repeat, forget that Gen. Jack
son, when President, surrendered, as Mr. Polk is
believed to have done, his own opinions to the judg
ment of his constitutional advisers. Let us care lit
tie for such faacious complaints, and rather wonder
at the blindness that did not would not see the
reason and authority which rcfute it.
We are still, by the favor Of Providence, a coun-
try ruled, not by ono man. but governed by many
governed by constitution. The rule OF good con-
tuition, and the observance of its laws is the soul or
und wing part of nation. Whilst these endure in pu-
rity Judges will be wise and unerring; generals will
. not 60 astray, or if they should, public opinion,
which always stands by this blessing, will soon cor
rect them. All men in public places will rightly
fulfil their trusts and, down to the poorest and low
lest none will Cypress or be oppressed. For these
last up to President Polk, is our constitution the
safe and sure guide, and none may set up
his individual opinions against 1t. These he may
retain personally and for his private satisfaction
but they merged with wise men in the para
mount duty Of their official and political obligations
So thought Washington, Jefferson, and jackson;
and upon their authority, and his own right judg-
ment, 30 has acted Mr.. Polk "He that rueth his
spirit is better than he that aketh city" And he
who by the lawful and larger counsel of the wise
| and temperate, rules his spirit to honorable peace
rather than to bloody and bitter war, shall be the
maker of cities throughout his happy country.
| The people believe in the ratification by the SEN
of this Oregon treaty; but they do not yet know
its special provisions details, and will wait ill all
care predict will their estimate OF the Presi
dents course be cordial, approving and most hon
orable to him. Till then, we give to a few wing
presses full run and much joy in their occasional
} | criticism. The democratic President, by the ex-
pressed opinion of democratic Congress, has made
! treaty which preserves peace with England
Many of the patriotic of both parties in that body
have sanctioned his course and there is fear but
} that all such have spoken for their constituents
r One war is enough at a time-especially if by hon
orable negotiation we can keep our hands off an
| other.
Mr.. Polk in the existing war with Mexico
:.
3 has proved that for just cause and murderous
e provocation, he can, on very short notice, giro
4 up the country for battle; and from the moment
, a nearly unanimous people was, and has been witt
i him. The same people will triumphantly sustain
his successful efforts, sacrifice Of opinion, if such
has been made in procuring by Just compromises or
the Oregon treaty, permanent and honorable peace
A powerful and prosperous nation, covetng wa
: with nation her equal in power and prosperity, ia
G fortunately, in latter times, an anomaly. BY tn,
+ enlightenment of mankind the price Of peace hal
been rising throughout the world for more than Al
age past; and the nations of Europe among thei
civilized ssterhood have freely paid for it; wise
fortunate is the ruler of that republic, who treating
with the proudest of her monarchs purchase
+ peace upon the simple terms of mutual concession
, equal reasoning, and equal good sense This is the
right and patriotic feeling upon this subject, enter
tanned by the political friends of President and hell
with the candid on all sides, by many, very
j. MANY.