American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-03-17

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RE-occUpATIoN OF OREGON When we
resolved to have Texas, we cloaked our deter
U,ination under the mild term of re-apRexatlon,
although it was never clearly shewn, that
Texas ever had been portion of our territory.
Now we want the whole of Oregon, and we
adopt the same lapguage-we must re-occupy
Oregon-that is, we claim it as though 1t had
rot only always belonged to us, but had been
at some former period occupied as part of the
Union. This is folly, and the world Will rdl-
cule such shallow pretensions. 1t we nave
anv claim to the whole of Oregon 1t is not bas-
ed upon former occupancy. Ifpossession we're
to determine title, the right of the English
government would be very superorto our own.
WHY then urge our claim in manner which
must expose us to contemp2 1t is exceeding
" doubtful whether we can make out a clear
title beyond the 49th degree, notwithstanding
the assertion has been so repeatedly made, that
our right to the whole territory is 'clear and
ndsputable" That assertion was first made
by the Baltimore Convention, but without in
vestigation or knowledge Of facts for we doubt
whether there were ten members of the Con-
yention who had ever given the subject the
slightest consideration. But we're it otherwise,
and had each member thoroughly examined
the matter, and came deliberately to the con-
clusion, that our right was "clear and inds
putab.e, the decision of the convention should
not be permittedsto control the deliberations of
Congress, as has been contended by some
members of that body, from whom more in
dependent course was to have been expected.
Il is evident, that if the decision of nominating
conventions upon such important subjects as
title to territory, are to govern the actions of
Congress, that body will soon be rendered USE
less and must sink into contempt We repu-
date such notions as utterly repugnant to the
principles of our government, and hostile to
the cause of liberty.
We consider our relations with England, in
reference to the Oregon dispute, as yet in a
critical position. We believe that both gov
ernments would cheerfully compromise-but
both may be held back from renewing nego-
tatons by false sense of honor; and thus two
powerful nations may become engaged in war
when neither IN reality, desires it. The Presi-
dent undoubtedly sgni6ed his willingness to-
take the 49th degree as the basis of negotia.
tioni and we presume cannot be driven from
that position by the threats and denuuciations
ola few reckless members of Congress of his
party. The great difficulty (and perhaps the
only one) in the way of an amicable settle
ment is, who shall make the first advance
The British government made the last offer,
which was rejected, and may now await a.
movement on our part. The issue ofthe dis
pute is too important to stand upon idle cere-
mony. 1t would be no sacrifice of honor, nor
essenlng of national character, for either
government to propose renewal OF negotia-
tons. The two countries should not be forced
into hostilites upon points of etiquette, or
from the child's play ofdiplomatiSts. We take
it for granted that justice is all that is aimed
at by either power, and the means by which
this can be attained are not very material
whether the first move be made by Great Bri-
tain or by the United States. The people of
this country anxiously desire to have the dis
pute settled as speedily as possible; for, what
ever may be said to the contrary by the war
hawks of Congress, three fourths of the people
of the Union are decidedly opposed to a war
with England for "the whole of Oregon or
none"-and they never will sustain those who
may be the means of bringing that dreadful
scourge upon the nation, for such course.