Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-04-09
The Presidents Message.

Just; and we are quite sure that its propositions in
relation to the final settlement of the difficulty are
such as fully accord with the wishes Of nine-tenths
of the people of Indiana, at least:
1.-THE sum and substance of it is simply this-that,
in reply to a direct call from the Senate, the Presi-
dent tells them that IL UiH aid the negotiation of The
Erecutire if they (Congress) will act with a little
promptness, union and harmony, in presenting a firm
national front &c England in support of the Govern
ment and the American position.
1.-THE head and front Of his recommending hath
this extent, no more. Who cannot discern at half a
glance, that this is decidedly a peace rather than a
Wdr messagel
''In reference to his own intentions, and that much
mooted point of '49 or 81 49," the message is pro-
perly silent. The following generality Of phrase
with which it winds up, is the nearest approach to a
solution Of this question to be found in it:
"At the same time, it is my settled purpose to purs c
such n course Of policy rs may be best calculated to pre-
serve, both with Great Britain and Mexico, an honorable
peace; which nothing will so etiectually promote as UNI
annuity in our councils, and a firm maintenance Of all
our just rights
at is certain that the force of non-committalism
can no farther GO, than it does in this avowal. And
it is evident that such a "curious felicity" Of nom
committalIsm is precisely the proper language, and
the only proper language, for the executive manager
of a pending negotiation to hold at the present mo-
ment in a public document.
ION the one side it may be said that the "honora-
BILE peace" means compromise on 40 on other, that
"frm maintenance Of all our just rights means 81
40. And what II does mean, we least do not pretend
authoritatively TO PROFOUND. But we have no obiec-
ton To explain what we think it ought TO mean, and
therefore what it probably in our judgment does mean.
Firm maintenance Of all our just rights cannot
possibly mean tie mutilution Of our noble Pacific En-
pire-the surrender Of that Western New England,
the northern and maritime part of Oregon, which is
hereafter, and at no very distant hereafter, TO contro-
the commercial dominion Of that side of the globe.
After the Presidents own declarations, repeated and
emphatic, Of what he considers our 'just rights"
there TO be, and after the conclusive demonstration by
which they have been established by the recent grand
national discussion Of the subject, such language as
this we must needs hold to be irreconcilable with any
purpose. any reserved G~rriere penSee, of ever giving
up the northern half Of Oregon by any act depending
on the Executive responsibility. And we rejoice thus
to read it and humble and feeble as may be our dis
tant voice, yet in the name Of those masses of demo-
cratic and national opinion which our voice, in the
utterance Of this sentiment, represents, we invoke the
President to stand true and firm to this position. Let
him neither desert IL, nor dream Of deserving it now
or ever, directly or indirectly. And let there be no
truth, we will add, in the rumors current Of an inten-
ton to shuttle off upon n Senate Of CoreLno,rn opinion,
that responsibility which the highest political office in
the world makes personal, individual and exclusive
like those tickets Of admission which arc distinctly
stamped .'not transferable" We put faith in no such
rumors but they have been too rife, both in Congress
and ont of it. to be wholly disregarded.
- " IfNi VI AI IdE-aEG INh " e u III Htlit1N
consistency with this sense, and in perfect accordance
with what we believe 10 be the truth. There is no
renl danger Of war. There is no greater real danger
Of war on 81 40 than on 40. The only real danger
would be on the point of honor, of national pride.
Treat England respectfully. kindly, in n spirit of lib
eral Cancellation, in this matter, and she would not
90 TO war with us for twenty Oregons. Insult her.
bully her, undertake TO kick and cuff her from the
disputed territory neck and heels, and she would 90
to war with US, and all Europe at our back, for the
barrenest rock that sufices 10 afford a footing 10 the
tired sea-rull. In all this Oregon matter, there are
other compromises possible-compromises yet I'M
tried-besides those Of territorial partition. Let us
tell England that while our title is so much better
than hers, she at the same time can never dream Of
populating the country, while we both can and must
Trade is ali she can want therc-trade and right Of
way-togethcr with just consideration for the exist
ing vested rights Of property of her subjects there.
Meet her fairly and literally on this ground. Give
her free ports-give her free rade-give her free
passage-give her all these and welcome for our
own true good as well as hers. And give her ample
security and generous ndemnifcation for her sub
iects interested in Oregon. Meet her on such ground
as this-and in the proper manner and proper tone,
while without surrendering n square inch Of terrific
rial sovereignty-Nnd there is no danger Of her at
lacking us, in rude and ~tcrongful aggressive irar, for
Orcron or twenty Oregons. Do those who now men,
ace us, in her name and behalf, with this danger, for
get the heavy bonds she is under TO keep the peacel'
We speak not only of the eight hundred millions Of
pounds, but Of the 'crown' on one high head, and
and the vast number Of "halfcrowns" on n great
many other lower ones.
'Such, then, is our construction Of the Presidents
position and purpose-"frm maintenance Of all our
lust rights to the whole of Oregon-liberal concili-
alton, an other modes, TO secure an honorable peace"
Viewing the subject in this aspect, we entertain no
apprehension Of war, Of any possible war, between
the two countries on this question. And as to the
means Of averting its possibility, we trust that his
cxhortation to unity and frmness, in the national
front to be presented by us at this moment to England
and the world, will receive n proper response, from
the Senate, whose recent course has elected it;-both
elected and deserved il, we viii take leave TO add,
whether the exhortation be regarded in the light ofan
advice for the future, or a rebuke for the past.
e1rThc following just and sensible observations in
relation to the policy of England on the Oregon
difficulty, are made by the N. Y. Evening Post.
Mr. Calhoun, in his speech on the Oregon question,
remarked that Great Britain would probably take no
step in that controversy until she had seen what
Congress would do in the matter. The remark was
Just. Not only will the British government refrain
from any further advances toward u settlement, but
her future course in this controversy will depend very
much upon the nature of the measures adopted by
Congress. If we keep our ground, we may adjust
the dispute satisfactorily if we give back, the British
, government will press on every step that we yield,
they will take. Let Jonathan alone, says our worthy
, relation over the water; he is feeling his own pulse
and will soon tell us whether it beats firmly and
calmly, or whether it ~futters. If it futters we shall
know how to deal with him.
As the question now stands, Great Britain will
assent to no adjustment Of the controversy which