The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-04-12

question. The House Of Representatives have
accompanied Its vote BY the declaration that
IL considers II by no means bar to the re-
newal OF negotiations. When the lower House
of Representatives have said this, the Senate
cannot be less courteous and thus disap-
pears the fear that any measure of the legislature
might lead to an Immediate interruption OF our re-
lations. But the difficulties of negotiation still re-
main, and unfortunately they remain In the hands
Of Mr.. Polk, who may with much reason be sus-
pected Of wish to preciptate and provoke wal, and
to drag his in great measure, unwilling country
men into it. II he told us exactly what he wants,
we could take counsel and make every effort to sa-
tlsfy him. II his sine qua non was the Columbia RI
YER because OF its being the great road of ingress
and egress TO Central America from the Pacific -if
lns wish was not only to monopollze this, but also
TO grasp the best part In Fucas Sraits-herc, too,
we might know, at least, how far we could 60 to
meet him. But whilst English dipomatists play
down their cards. and are frank in their proposals,
Mr.. Polk covers his face and purpose with one de-
liant mask oil demanding the whole OF Oregon to
the 54th degree and we have not yet arrived at
the gertrude OF even good conjecture as to
what will satisfy him. As TO the American people,
there 10 majority against war, and considerable
portion Is favorable to amlcable relations with us.
But there is minority, formidable from its energy
and Its influence over the Ignorant, which decided
~ desire quarrel with US and Mr.. Polk, II not
exactly OF this party, makes use OF II, and Identifies
himself with It, In order to force the more reluc-
tant and waverlng majority to support him in holder
risks and more dangerous pretenslons. Mr.. Polk
then ventures forth, like civilian feld-marshal,
probably In search OF no more than diplomatic
victory over the Britishers. He may, however,
venture too far, and convert diplomatic into mi
liary struggle Never, certainly, were the fortunes
and the peace OF two greet countries 80 perlled by
what strikes us to be more political coxcombry than
either patriotism or generous ambition.
[From Bells Life in London March 81
The last advices from the United States bring US
the most UNDERSTANDABLE proof of the bad state of
feeling which influences their Government. Mr..
Polk, perfect aonentlty SO far a reputation for
craftsmanship was concerned, was thrust into office
by party determined to carry out u war policy,
and being in office he still acts the tool of the
party which gave him political existence. He
may fancy this to be duty OF gratitude to those
who made him President Bat he forgets that he
country and to his God. His utter unfitness for
office Is proved by the fact that he seems wholly ig
norant or regardless of the responsibilities which at
tend it, He looks not to the interests of the millions
over whom ne has a temporary sway-his care is
directed to the wishes OF the faction that by adrot
ness hoisted him into the Presidential Office. To the
hehests OF faction he sacrifices his country and
" waddtony Ginds the law; Of humanity Let not
motives OF apure and disinterested kind The love
OF place and power is as great in the United States
as 1t ever has been in any Of the Oldest and most
Be- s
sent moment: And there seems to be among the
party OF Mr.. Polk less of the spirit of gentleman
to check and restrain. to reduce within proper
of office by the Polk party is deemed possible of
much extension, 1t the chances of war are adroIty
taken advantage oi-and the income from the sale OF
the lands OF Oregon would supply ample fund with
which to feed and crafty official desires. The mild
and temperate behavior, the gentemany forbearance
and courtesy of the British governme Mt are there
fore disregarded and misinterprete d-and English
reluctance to engage IN war IS insoently assumed
to be the proof OF English weakness or fear. This
speeches Of the United States Ministers. With
the omission Of the word " insolently" the descrip-
ton we have given Of the conduct OF the American
Ministers might also be taken as their own. They
have again and again declared that il the Unite
States claim is resolutely pressed, England must
and will give way-that the whole claim must and
will be conceded, because England will not 20 to
war; Itthis supposlton was true, 1t would be little
to the honor OF the United States government
to act upon it. 1t would be insulting and wrong
ing a nation, merely because that ma ton was too
weak to pun'shth insult and ayenge the wrong, or
chose to forbear doing 80. Let the United States
people be warned in time. The desire OF the Eng
ish Government for peace is that which most hon
ors 1t. England Is much too powerful to fear war
or its results, but Englishmen shun it as an evil,
which not without great necessity ought to be in
fcted on mankind. So tar as the Oregon territory
10 alone concerned, great as our concessions have
been, they might have been much greater had we
been met in different spirit. But an honorable
man insists on strict right when intimidation is at
tempted and insult offered Like the traveller in the
fable, he may be overcome by the potent geniality Of
ihe sun, and may readily and willingly yield to ts in
and resoiutely stand up against the threatening
storm. The United States government does not
seem to be learned in such wisdom 1t had better
take lesson: will more fifty discharge Its duties
and more truly represent the people over whom it
happens topreside. We do not believe that tie peo-
pie OF the States desire war with England. Their
comforts would be sacrificed, and their best inte-
rests most seriously injured by 1t. Those Of the
BY the rules Of the Constitution, the people
are now unable to control the Legislature, and
the active and da:ing faction having possess:
ed itself OF power, determines by the mad
use of it to justify the proverb about the riding Of
certain people not accustomed to such an exercise.
Lord Aberdeen's answer to the demands for expla-
nation as to the increase OF our military and naval
forces may touch moderation hitherto not dis
party from initiating the course Of the Sikhs, who
were resolved upon war, though policy, as well as
justice, forbade their engaging in it.
From the Liverpool Times March l0l
II will be seen that the American House of Re-
representatives. has authorised President Polk to give
notice to the British government that the govern
ment OF the United States will consider the treaty for
the joint occupation of the Oregon territory at an
end, at the expiration Of twelve months notice.
This Is in itself nothing more than was expected,
but great surprise has been created by the argeness
OF the majority by which this unfriendy if not hos
tile, vote has been carried, and the support given to
II by many members OF the conservative or wing
party. The latter circumstance proves that they,
like the democrats are more anxious to maintain a
contemplate popularity with rash and unthinking
class OF voters, than to preserve peace, to
their country and the world from the evils of war.
After such a majority In the popular House, it 10
hardly probable that the Senate will reject the mo-
ton Of Mr.: Allen, for effecting the same object. To
do 30 would require greater degree oil moral cou-
rage and OF superiority to party interests hsa we
venture to expect from the leaders of the democratic
party. in that assembly. As party politicians, f,ss,
dent Polk and Mr. Buchanan, the Foreign Sec,,tsr,,
Whatever the Senate may do, they at least can
boast Of having bearded the English COVE rnment,
and OF having maintained the right of America to
every inch OF the Oregon territory without inchn2.
Mr.. Benton, and their other democratic rivals, in
the position of either sacrificing their claims to no
pularity by opposing their measures or their claims
to consistency and common sense, by supporting
0k,uO nj he ntav CITE Of hn CtaS~