Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-02-26
RICHMOND DAILY WING
THURSDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY &c, is'e.
WHICH Is THE BRITISH PARITY


tention Of the Administration to sacrifice Amerl'
can manufactures for the settlement OF the Ore
gon question.
II ~ the press of this same Administration
which has stig,natised the Wings as the British
party, which has held up our purest statesmen
to odium as traitors to national honor, which has
represented Wing principles corrupted with
an incurabe faint Of British tendencies. And
upon what ground
The head and front Of our offending, hath this
extent" A territory, long held in joint occuPa-
ton by England and America, Is suddenly claim
ed solely, and from AZ up to 81, for our country,
and measur, rec omme nded for its exclusive pos.
session, which, in all human probability. must in.
vove this nation in long and bloody war. The
territory itself is cold, barren, worthless region
not necessary to the independence, the welfare,
or the happiness of this Republic. Yet, wretch.
ed aud miserable as il is the Wing cannot be
found who has ever recommended It's surrender TO
Grea, Britain The most for which party has
cu,,end,d, is, that the joint occupation be per.
united 10 remain in force for few years. and this
Tor the reason that by such a policy, and by that
uono can ever acquire complete possession Of
Oregon We have been the advocates of Peace,
because Peace would secure us the Object of ac-
ansition AZ well as for the sake of the happiness
and the real welfare OF our people. Ii il be trea
sonabe to prefer Peace TO War, to desire the
tension of our commerce., enterprise and arts. IA.
cher Than TO behold them all thrown back cen
tu.y by the desolating effects of war; if it he
reasonable To express the hope that our country
men may br permitted to remain at home, tng
the soil, or laborIng IA the workshop, and blessed
with the smiles the comforts, the purifying nfu.
ence of a quiet fireside if it he reasonable To
save iie rather than destroy, and To prevent mise
~, rather than I" sow 1t with an unsparing hand
broadcast over the earth, then have the Wings
been traitors. But God save the Republic, when
humanity becomes treason We have also been
willing. tor the sake al peace, To compromise with
G.eat Britain, by adopting as the dividing line.
the 49h degree, and IN this we are supported 10y
"a similar proposition from Mr.. pix, So that if
we are On thus account the British party, he is by
the same rule d British President. But let it not
be frgutlen that we have never, at any period
OF tine, or in any way, proposed or countenanced
the entire surrend r for the sake Of peace, Of Ore.
gon, miserable land that it Is, fit only Tor the ha-
bitaliun Of beasts of prey. Now let us turn to
tne policy o: opponents and see, It our course
upoa Oregon proves us to be The British party,
what their course proves Them.
A great change has come over portion of that
party "Gr,m-vis1ged war has smoothed his
wfinkled front" The President and the Premier
who, but n moment since, stood front to front,
eacn flashing defiance from his eye, and each
with his hand upon the hilt of his half drawn
sword, have now cast aside their military habit
mems, aud stand before us IN the grave dress OF
plain citizens, only intent upon the pursuits OF
commerce and trade. Jonathan now sits at a
desk behind the counter, with pen over his ear,
and speciacles upon his nose, looking much more
like himself, we confess, than when rugged cut
IN his regimcntas while Bull has suddenly be.
come customer and with a radiant smile upon
his ru5.cund visage, and a knowing leer in hi,
eye, points to roll Of manufactured goods under
his arm, and asks Jonathan the price of corn.
We should not fear the result of the bargain, il
oar merchant were the proprietor of the store,
instead of an agent for others but we have our
approximations thai, If ne sees an opportunity OF a
neat little speculation for himself he will not he.
state to sacrifice the interest OF his principal.
Where are the who but yesterday were
taking about an honorable peace p Where
are the patriots who would not give up acre Of
the debaieable ground beyond the mountains, a
single drop of lis shallow streams, single pebble
81 its rock. bound coast. for the sake OF pacific
settlement Can it be that they stand prepared
at this moment to sacrifice the manufacturing
skill, labor and capital Of their own country, our
own undoubted property, our own most valuable
wealth. the very lie blood of our strength aid
national independence; to bring it all, all, vic
to the altar, in the hope that Is. sh vengeance
may accept the sacrifice, and let the sinner go
Tney prUpJss no compromise they hold out no
prospect Of any future restoration of the rights
thus reCklessly bartcred away. What thong ID
the Tariff has supplied us with full revenue
has changed the balance of trade in our favor
hts given to the labors Of millions Of our people.
hope, conf lcnce and the assurance Of reward 2
1t matters not. the revenue may be mpovor-
Isisd and the nation again brought IN debt to
Europe. Why should such considerations stand
~ the way Of Democratic progress The rivers
which nature seems to have provided fJf manu-.
featuring purposes may waste their generous wa.
tiers in the sea the busy hum of American indus.
nv he heard no more the streets Of a hundred
toNns be- filled with abyrers deprived Of then
daily employment, and unable to obtain for their
families their daily bread. It matters not The
genius Of free trade will be triumphant and the
false steps Of u blundering Administration be re.
fdcved.
Toe organ NJ the Administration alleges that
the Wings would prefer war to the surrender o.
tdc rath. Aud # the charge we're just, would
we be more rash and reckless than the Admins
traton IN preferring war to the surrender Of AM
part Of Oregon Which Is Of the most real va
lue to our country Which is most essential {,
or national prosperity and independence W,
loatho and abominate war. IL is at best bu
wholesale murder. and to avert a curse 80 dread
iui, we would make almost any sacrifice. But
! the MN stand up, who would be willing {,
pay Great Britain annual tribute in money {,
y ,rohsse her smiles and favor, and sustain, # b,