The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-01-31
From the Philadelphia Ledger.
THE NEWS.


For more than two years past, we have assert
ed that The British Government would not wage
war against this country for Oregon that it could
not engage In such war, because it was too much
embarrassed at home that il could not defend
Oregon In war, and would lose more by such war
than nifty Ofegons were worth that such war
would embroil it with other powers, and send the
French into Egypt and the Russians into India
But since the publication Of the Presidents Mes.
sage, the commercial journals of the great cities
have been terrified with the apprehension Of war,
saying that Britain was eager for it, would devas
tate our coast before we could even bepin to de
fend ii, and that nothing could save MS but subnis
sion, and compromise of Oregon upon British
propositions. And these terrors have been so
greatly augmented by the debates in the Federal
Senate upon the motion for inquiry by Cen Cass,
as TO call out some of these journals in defence of
the British claim tn Oregon
But how stands the case now 2 According to
the late news, the British government will not
wage war for Oregon. They have discovered
that we cannot be iniimidaed by threats, are too
many to strike without counting the cost, and well
know that the cnst of striking would far exceed
the profit In the course of last summer. the
British press exploded in threats upon the Presi
dents inaugural address, and British statesmen
In Parliament talked very omnousIy about the
Presidents claim to the whole of Oregon. Per
ceivlng that we heard all these threats very calm
y, and offered no signs of submission, they chang
ed their tone, and consented to argue Thew
nave read IN the message repetition of the
poiicy proclaimed IN the inaugural address, and
nave become more calm than ever. Instead q,
war, they talk Of its disasters and losses: of the
insIgnifcanee of the Oregon question, compared
with the calamities of a war about it of the mu
tual interest OF the two nations in peaceful and
more extensive commercial intercourse The
tone OF the British nation upon American affairs
Is precisely what we expected, moderate. and
daily becoming more SO. We congratulate Sena
tor Archer's pigs
But we may mention other signs of this peace
full temper. Lord John Russell could no, form q
cabinet. because Lord Grey would not join it with
Lord Palmerston at the head of foreign affairs.
and merely because the policy of the latter was
too warlike. Indeed! Then the Wing party of
England have no desire for war with any BODY.
Lord John Russell cannot proceed without Lord
Grey, and the latter, holding the I" balance of
power" will not have ,oar minister at the head
OF foreign affairs; and thus to prevent an addi
tlonal chance for war, the Wings abandon the
attempt 10 conduct the government! And this
brings back MIR. Peel, who resigned because he
could not carry measure through the cabinet that
would put out of the question war between the
two countries. These indica tions are not yerv
war-like.
But what is the prospect? Ii repeal bill
passes the House of Commons, it will not proba
bly, pass the Lords; for they will not surrender
their cherished monopoly without strugqle.-
This leads TO new election which leads to a fierce
partisan contest; and if the repealers succeed in
1t, they will be driven to threats of revolution.
to force their measure through the Lords, for
The latter will probably fight to the last. All
this will occupy England for six months or wears
II not more; and during this period, the govern
ment will overlook Oregon and the Hudson's
Bay Company.
Our government should improve the opportu-
NIFTY thus afforded, for it will never occur AGAIN
we should fortify the seaports and the lakes. in
crease our navy on the ocean and the lakes. ex.
tend our laws over Oregon. establish a line of
military posts TO the Rocky Mountains, and build
some strong forts in the territory, settle the bonn
Diary question with Mexico, purchase California
and open negotiations for Mexican annexation
All this might acquire national debt of twenty.
five or thirty Millions What then? II wonld
save tho two hundred millions necessary to con-
duct the war which these measures would pre-
vent, and which will come eventually if thew he
not adopted If we sit with folded arms iii the
British are out Of their difficulties, we shall he
obliged to fight, and for the last, instead of the
first inch of Oregon.