Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-04-03

President are of a nature wholly above the reach
of accidental combinations. Compromlse Is not
remote. because it is difficult 10 adjust the details.
which Mr.. e. boldly assumes, but because there
arc in fact no mutual rights in conflict; Tor In the
language Of the President the British pretensions
cannot be maintained to any portion OF the terri
tory, upon any principle Of public law recognized
among nations. The whole truth of the matter
NAV be shewn in few words Mr.. c. thinks the
British have rights to the territory, and concludes
there should be a compromise. Mr.. Folk and the
Democratic party think the British have ho nights
whatever, and are therefore opposed to any mea-
sure which would involve the admission OF CO.
equal claims. Was not this the "ry reason why
arbitration was rejected One year after the mo-
tce passes the Senate, as it will, this will be the
reason why the period referred toby Mr.. Polk will
have arrived when the national rights in Oregon
must be either abandoned or firmly maintained.
In thus attempting to show what We deem the
true position of Mr.. Polk on this question. in oppo-
sition to that in which be is sought to be placed by
Mr.. CaIhoun-we have thought it scarcely neces-
sary to remark upon the singulary inconsistent
position in which Mr.. T.. is himself placed by his
course OH this very question. Before we conclude
this article, by saying what we intended, In re-
view of his objections to the notice and the taking
possession, which must follow, as matter of
course it may be well to enquire if Mr.. T.. is so
Zeaously in favor of compromise, why counsel in
activity, that may ultimately gain an cccftsiue
possession Admitting rights in the British he
yet holds it not improper or illegal to contemplate
action in utter disregard of those rights. Counsel
ling for surrender Of portion, he yet avows de-
sire and object of gaining the whole territory at
last. The only difference is in the way of doing
it. We propose an open decla alton of our rights,
and uncomfortable resolution in their maintenance.
Mr.. C. almost admits the exclusive title yet sur
renders for the present. trusting to mastery mac
tiTity and the influence of time. Surely there is
Inconsistency in this. and it cannot be denied. 1t
may be admitted without fear of weakening our
position. in the utter impossibty there exists of
reconcing the views of the President to the mea-
sure proposed, that there is such thing as lau.
dable Inconsistency. Any great change IN the cir
cumstances Of a nation calls for a corresponding
change of measures. Thus in April 1916, some
of Us were for protective tariff, while in 1882
were ready to go to wal against it. So man is
wholly inexcusable, whu, after seeing the most CO.
gent reasons for changing his opinions otstinatev
persists in thinking differently from the rest of the
world. Such will never be Mr.. C's error. In all
these and similar cases. it will be observed that no
principle was ever resigned. ExPediency became
the test. and not the rule for action. With Mr..
Polk. the is entirely different. He is not at
liberty to receive a compromise, for he mas by his
own acts, put that altogether out of the question.
He denies the British Government have any rights
whatever in the premises. Where then, can YOU
find room for a compromise d! He has placed him.
self in lofty position, and if he shrinks from
what the country have just right to expect of
him, he must not only do violence to his con-
ception of the spirit of the Baltimore resolutions
but retace every step he has taken since, and elude
and swallow his address, message, cabinet insruc-
lions and ala dose unprecedented and unnatu-
raj even in the worst stages Of political inconsis-
tency.
We shall resume our remarks upon the motto.
and the general policy of tho Administration. in
some future communication. CIVlS.