The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-25
GREAT MEErING I'M PHILADELPHIA.

The democratic citizens OF mo Guy anu county oi
Philadelphis, assembled by thousands In lndepsn'
dence square, on the afternoon Of the 18th instant,
to declare their sentiments on the great questions
which now agitate the country in regard to Oregon.
We have had so little room for the proceedings, that
although desirous of giving them prominent place,
up to this moment our heavy congressional reports
have prevented it, We are, however, at last enabled to
publish thsm and we do so with the more cheerful
ness because regard the resolutions as eminently
well-timed and judieious. They discuss the great
questions of the day with ability, bsldness, and
prudence, and have been warmly approved by all
who have read them We subjoin a report of these
proceedings, and ask our readers to give them an
attentive perusal
The meeting was called TO order by VIM. Badger,
esq, on whose nomination, the following officers
were elected:
PRECEDENT,
RICHARD PELTZ.
VICE PRESIDENTS,
First disiriet.-Richard Palmer, John Thomson,
Charles +. Town, Jacob s. Price.
Second disiriet.-Samuel Badger, Samuel ii. Per
kins, Alderman Christopher Brazier, George Gil
bert.
Third district --John T. Smith, Richard L. Lloyd,
Joseph M Hall, William s. Hallowell.
Fourth disiriet.-Michael Snyder, George Esber,
Philip Rump, Jacob Collier.
srcRErARIEs
First disiriei.-John Laughlin, VIM. II. Knowles.
Second distyiei-James G. Vsndyke, william
Dohnert.
Third distriet,-wiIliam Wilkinson, George Viii
Hams.
Fourth di,triet.-Louis Trimbls, Mitchell Bomeis-
Ter.
w. z. Lehman, esq, opened the meeting IN a
brief but highly eloquent speech, in the course OF
which he took rapid and interesting review OF the
Oregon question and enforced the propriety OF
speedy and liberal appropriations to defend the ma
tion, and increase the army and navy.
The following preamble and resolutions were then
read to the meeting by Col James Goodman, acting
in behalf of the committee and were repeatedly
cheered by the multitude. They were adopted by
reclamation:
A grave crisis in our affairs with powerful and
naughty nation has arrived, affecting a great ques-
ton OF territory, and stimulated by combination
Of circumstances in national legislature, omnous
Of protraced and vexatous evils In this exigency,
the President of the United States in his message Of
the Oath of March last, in reply to resolution OF
the Senate, has wisely counseled such a state OF
preparation in marine and land forces, us well as
in the fertilization Of coasts and harbors as the
commanding importance Of the subject and the char
acter of our rights imPeratiyely require. In this
document he reiterates the opinions Of his annual
message of the I'd of December, l645, and adds,
that he has not only no cause to alter or modify
his recommendations, but that, on the contrary, IN
his Judgment, "reasens exist which render It proper
that they should be promptly carried into effect and
that additional provision should be made for the public
defence" The President also, in this paper, renews
his expressions in favor Of claim to Oregon, and
his belief in the propriety Of giving the notice under
the treaty or convention Of 1927, to terminate the
joint occupancy by England and the United States
Of that territory. Those Of our citizens who have
become the pioneers Of civilization and freedom in
that remote but enviabe country, under the expeca
ton Of being protected and encouraged by Amer
can laws in degree at least equal with those who
enjoy the benefits Of British protection and encour
agement peculiarly entitled to the proposed chain
OF military operations in Oregon, which the abroga-
ton of the treaty would enable US to carry more
fully into effect. To add still further to the mpor-
lance Of the Executive suggestions upon this alb
sorbing subject, our impending difficulties with Mex
leo are invoked as new and powerful motive to
hasten legislation in Congress. We are thus treby
invited TO complete the good work. For, with
all our ghts in the soil of Oregon, and with
our obvious duty to the settlers there-wih
our numerous and delicate interests in the con
troversy with Mcxico--our national honor is
inseparably interviewer and ndissolubly iden-
tilted. 1t is the duty, equally Of the citizen
and the State, to maintain, at all hazards, the ma
Iiona honor. IL is duty imposed alike by our OBJ
legations TO ourselves and our country to preserve
that firm and resoue attitude which entities people
and government to the respect Of other powers,
and gives weight and solemnity to their opinions
1t fact, sartngly illustrated in the history Of
Great Britain, moreover, that nation has ever pre-
vailed in the maintenance Of its Just rights, if op
posed by English pretensions, when crouched be-
fore her in the position Of suppliant Peace is the
essential element in the prosperity of free people;
but peace purchased by dsgraceful compromise,
promoted by craven policy, while it may bring
temporary repose to a country, will infict upon il
deep and lasting dishonor. No American can avoid
feeling the utmost anxiety that the door should
er be closed upon such a peace as may be accom-
pshed with reference to the nations rights and the
nations honor but it is settled determination to
rally around the administration chosen by the suf-
frages of the great democratic party in any of the
consequences which may grow out of that manly
| assertion of our claim to the whole Of Oregon and
that jealous guardianship Of the national character,
which have already so eeminently distinguished
it:
Be it, therefore, by the democracy of the city and
of the county of Philadelphia,
Resolved, That we have watched, with anxious
solicude, the course of James X. Polk, President
of this nation, on the imposing and momentous
question of the American claim to Oregon; and
that it meets with unlimited confidence and ap-
proval.
Resolved, mat the negotiations, unuer the present
administration, upon this question of empire and
progression, have been signalized throughout by an
anxious desire, on the part Of the President and his
advisers, establish claim, to state title,
and take our stand, that it may never be said that
his administration either stained on the one
hand, by the unworthy ambition which excites a
war; or disgraced, on the other hand, by that more
culpable spirit which sometimes purchases coun-
try's peace with a country's honor.
Resolved That while we have the fullest and most
abiding confidence in the present administration,
that so far as its influence extends, this delicate and
exciting question will be settled in way consistent
with the character Of claims, and the future des-
TIMES Of country; we are neither favorable, as
one of the means to this end, of the process called
mastery inactivity" or Of that policy which hest
tates about taking the important initial step lest it
might offend Great Britain.
Resolved, That we are in favor of terminating the
joint occupancy of the Oregon territory by the Uni
ted States and Great Britain by giving the notice,
as provided by the convention of August 1897; and