The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-02-02
For the Uunion

GREAT BRITAIN AND THE UNITED STATES
The late news from Great Britain while il leaves
us IN some doubt to the domestic as well as for
eign policy which may ultimately prevail there, fur
nlshes, Notwithstanding subjects for consid ration
and reflection.
very able article from the London snec,ator
copied into the Union of Saturday evening last,
opens question for discussion on the subject Of our
relations with that country. In that article, the
British title to any portion Of Oregon is hardly as
natural law, It evidently designs to establish il.
There IS talent and plausibility in its argumenta-
ton. The law of greater necestq for territory ia its
strong point. England has a surplus population,
that must be supported either upon her own meagro
island or somewhere else. To meet the argument
in this point of view, however, we would be COM
PEELED to go back to the prineval state-to the abo-
regimes of our country whom ancestors found in
quiet possession of the region we inhabt when dis
covered by Columbus. We took possession of it in
virtue of the superior right of civilization over bar
barlsm-upon the ground that the earth, by the OBJ
vious and expressed will of the great Creator,
should be replenished, cultivated peopled by what
ever race bade fair to do it most speedily and eec-
tually. =.
By parity Of reasoning, then, setting aside as the
article in the Spectator to do The right by dis
corery, the nation which should offer its citizens the
largest liberty compatible with security the most
numerous advantages for civilization the greatest
facilities for enlightened and enduring freedom,
especially upon its own continent
The question then resolves itself into a mere diff
ference of opinion in relation to forms and nstitu
tons of government. Well satisfied ourselves of
the superiority Of all others, for the pur-
poses above enumerated, majority Of the nations of
the earth, from sympathy with the doctrine of 'the
divine right of kings would decide against us.
Great Britain processes to--and perhaps does--be-
sXs !hss her subject. are as free as intelligent and
pass. H.. -A>AsaAaasAts =.
| There is, however, strong necessity laid upon
us to maintain and extend the principles OF human
freedom. Selfdefence, even unaccompanied by
kind and fellow feeling for race, would prompt
us to measures which antagonistical principles, in
other nations would lead them to regard as hostile
/ We are accused--most unfoundedly and unjustly--
of grasping ambition for the acquisition of terrific
| ry-onr neighbors will not or do not understand
that interests broader and deeper than few acres Of
land, compel US to acquire, whenever we honestly
i and peaceaby can, new territory that we may en-
large the Of freedom. Our situation our peeu-
liar institutions, are irresstibly tending to this
| point we could not avoid il If we would; and al
though war with any nation would be regarded by
us as great misfortune as unchristian as II IL un-
becoming civilized and Christianized nations, such
| "a the fore, of the moral power by which we are
enyironed and unavodaby controlled, that no think
; ing, rejecting man can avoid the conslusion
that we must a matter Of course, ultimately ex-
tend the basis of our empire fall back upon the
principles of government which drove our ancestors
, Years may, and probably will, eapse before all
this will be accomplished; generations may be born
and die; but the event is most surely in the womb Of
. time. ...
The writer Of this article has no -feeling towards
Great Britan-no disposition TO be in hostile al
tude towards her. We are, however, antagonist
cal in systems Of government; they are satisfied
. perhaps, with their own; cling to ours with Z
zeal that abates not--an interest that never flags
We all know that the Spectators plea Of nteessit
L.. 49,, nrit To nla hal
every inch Of soil in her and this hemisphere
' on which there a stspping-place; and that sh
has been too successful in retaining, by her master
! ly diplomacy or the power Of her arms, an undu
proportion If not the whole oft. The norheaster
y boundary question is q in point; and that OF o.
egon is evidently intended to be pressed to smils
issue Il would seem to be time, however, that OF
!. lust rights should be asserted and maintained
~ any anu "' "' COLUMBUS,