Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-02-05
Democraoy and the oregon Question.

When we first read President Folks Message, al the
opening of the present Congress, we were quite dis
posed to give the Executive Chief Magistrate aud his
uafly leaders Of Washington full credit for what then
anpeared to be their course in relation 10 Foreign
policy, and particularly as it regarded the Oregon ques-
ton But events which have subsequently tfnnspited
AZ the seat Of Government, aud own reflection,
coupled with our knowledge aud experience Of the par
~ leaders and party demagogues, whose main object
has invariably been TO retain place and power when in
Office and to procure them when out, have wrought
change 10 our mind, aud actually forced to enter
tain different and less favorable views as 10 the admin
isratye policy Of the President and his cabinet.
Il will be recolecied that during the last sumner
and autumn the official newspaper, the "Union," put
forth a series Of editorials, in which claim TO The
vhole Of Oregon was pompousy and tauningly para
died. "Oegon-he ,choie of II or none''-was the key
on which the administration had editordRy pitched its
tune. There was evidently double object in this
movements One was, to give a show Of consistency
to the Oregon resolutions Of the Baltimore Conven-
ton-a fine trap to catch Northern democrats" for
the Texan prorct-thefeby securing the continuance
Of the Western influence that had been secured By the
rickery orthe Baltimore Convention. Another object Of
the Administrations editorials was doubtless TO prepare
the European mind and especially that Of England,
for the forthcoming Message Of Mr Polk. The tune
had been pitched and had to be kept up here" in order
To quiet the clamors Of the Western democracy, 10
make show Of doing something in the way Of sccur-
ing Oregon-the great West had To be cranmed with
just such suf about Oregon, Folks Kane letter was
filled with ia order TO satisfy the democracy Of Penn
sylvana as to the Tariff. Polk's mind was made up
therefore, to talk pretty bravey in his Message, at the
opening Of Congress; but that the English might
not be stunned thereby, and threaten ~ with war
which our patriotic President never intended should
come upon from that quarter, the Union newspaper
commenced the game by irumping high, by claiming
the whole OF Oregon in the most arrogant and buster
ing manner This had its desired effect, which was
lwo-lod: the Union articles had SO prepared the Eng
lish mind tn expect the spirit from the Message,
that it very ageeaby disappointed OF the tone Of
the President, whose language, calculated for the
American Buncombe, might otherwise have given Of.
fence. Another desired effect Of the newspaper art-
ces was, resistance on the part Of The wings to
anything ike warke for securing the dspu-
ted territory. Some Of the Wings in Congress have
seen through this matter and therefore justified
in declaring that their only fear was that the President
would make too great concessions TO England. This
is really our fear The Free Trade cotton planters Of
the South, and the dealers and importers Of foreign
goods in our Northern cities have the control Of Mr.
Polk and his cabinet. A war with England would
destroy hee-f1urhs Of the cotton market and equally
affect the monied interests Of the foreign mercantile
houses Of our Northern cities, and hence all the uhu-
ence OF these two interests is brought to bear agains,
the proposition TO give Great Britain the twelve
months notice required by the treaty Of Joint occupa-
tIon, to sever the joint occupancy. But there is still
another and perhaps more wegh,y reason, which
secretly operates moie with the politicians olhe "dem-
ocfalic" party. Should there be a war between this
country and England, or should there be imminent
danger Of war the chances Of reducing the Tariff and
establishing upon the ruins Of American labour the
long dreamed Of system Of ee-trade would he greatly
diminished. Hence the great alarm manifested by
CALHOuE, McDuTTIE and others Of the democratic
party. Depend upon it, there will he no war while
anlI-tarih men control the government unless il be
with MeAUu, To secutc the slave and interests
u would be highly gratifying to the democratic" ad-
mlnlstraiion to make concessions TO England on the
Oregon question, secure such peace would, under
treaty for that purpose, open ports Tor e-irade
IN English goods and merchandise and then throw the
whole responsibility upon the Wings, who, as the
Democrats would charge them, opposed to war,
and to any decisive measures that might lead to war;
We hope every Wing in Congress may vote for Carr
TENDEN's resolution or something like 1t, and throw
the responsibility upon the party in power, where il
belongs We hope the country will yet see this game,
in its true light.
We may resume this subject ngain--we have thrown
out these hints for our readers TO reflect upon This
modern democracy is rich THEME for study. Hr