Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-09-30
FoR The Wits.
The Oregon Question and Nr. Polk

Fools have been proverbialIy said to be obstinate. And
yet, Mr.. Richie has laoored, with all the zeal and viiupers-
ton for which his press is so remarkable, 10 establish thi.
to be 4 uait IN the character Of President Polk. For. ad-
hitting his course upon the Oregon question to have been
correctly defined by the Union, what other merit can be as
cribed TO it, but an obstinate adherence TO views harsh in
themselves, and r~epudiated by the nation with a unanimi-
ty never before Witnessed upon any grea, public question.
Granting that nc has been firm and consistent from the be-
ginning TO the end Of this matter, has he displayed wisdom
in his pre,ensions, or has he elevated the character If the
nation, by yielding "elear and indispaiable rights" without
the smallest equivalent The excuse offered for him By
Mr.. itche is neither valid nor true. His motive for back.
ing out from his ultra preiensions Is ascnbed by the gov
ernmeLt editor TO his Difference TO the opinions ct his con-
sututonal advisers. Ills Tree use OF the veto power 10
thwar the egs!auve action OF Congress. inconiosib,y proves
that the opinions OF neither branch Of me Legislature have
any controlling influence over him when he can safely op-
pose their wishes without any apprehension Of the conse-
quences 10 himself. We cannot, therefore, have the chart
ty to believe that his reracuon of the claim to 81 40. pro-
retreat, proceeded from any other motive than q dread of
the disastrous consequences which, too late, no plainly fore
saw would result from IN obstinate adherence to his novel
and absurd Pretensions. PcTcei'ing the dilemma in which
he had placed the country, he then sought the Interpretation
OF the Senate. TO shield him from the charge Of ineonsis-
teney and Of backing out. But has he succeeded in thi.
attempt. in the opini5n OF any one but the editor OF the
Union, whose official relation TO him binds him 20 defend
him, right or wrons' This editor loudly vaunts Of the mo.
raj courage Of The President. which assinihtes him to Gen.
Jackson, IN this TRAIT OF character. How, then, has lh!s
moral courage been manifested, by yielding rights "clea-
and indsputable p IL Is evident that the Senate had no
constitutional power to control him in this matter; and il
is equally evident that he has no very great respect for their
opinions when he can disregard them with safety to him
sell. This plea, then, Of respect for the opinions OF his
constitutional advisers cannot be sustained. But far from
having been the hrm, consistent and obstinate mau which
Mr.. Richie would have Us believe him 10 have been, on
the Oregon question, Mr.. McLane tells US, that, in renew
ing the proposition TO compromise upon 80, he fulfilled the
Presidents wishes, which, it now seems, were in conf1r.
nifty 10 the views Of ell his predecessors! If Mr.. Polk was
sincere in his opinion Of our ufe, he has been guilty OF mo.
ral treason, in sacrificing II, under the pretence Of respect
for the opinions Of the Senate, whose wishes lie so utterly
condemned upon the SpOliauon and Hsrbor bills. Give
him credit. even, for oil the obstnacy which the govern
ment editor ascrbes to him. and what benefit has the coun.
try derived from III The benefit Of having inflicted IN
c%aIculable injury, for many months, upon the business OF
the country, and the disgrace Of yielding, without an equiy-
sent, large territory, 20 which the head Of the govern
ment proclaimed to the world our title to be clear and inIis
%putab.c! !! And let II be remembered, that the charge OF
bad faith and dupiicily against Mr.. Polk originated with
the 81 80 men, Ut his own party, whom IL did not suit Mr..
Rtchies purposes 10 attack. But no sooner do the editor
Of the National lnieIIgencer make this manifest, by u bare
statement Of facts, than the ire OF the loyal editor burst,
forth IN d strain VI abuse which would do credit to the pur.
lIeus Of Bhingsgate. When the ed tor Of the Union car
give evidence Of a uthe nj. the decency, patriotism, modera
ton and talent Of the National lnieiugencer, he will have
rather abettcr claim Than be now possesses 10 DO inducted
into the ONCE Of censOr-general Of the American press.
a NIKEIkTAN