Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-03-27
THE MESSAGE.
Probability Of War.

sketch. II is with some difficulty that any an
swer at all has been obtained irom that high func-
tionary, but, having at last condssceDded TO re-
sDond To Mr.. Daytons resolutions. he declares
that increase of the naval and military force is
at this iime advisable TO put the country in state
of defence. IL is understood that expenditure
of ten or twelve M; llions will be required imme
diately.
Now, we are free to confess, that # war be IN
evdable, 1t there are no proper, natural, honora-
BILE means 10 escape from that dire calamity. we
should not object to the appropriation often times
ten millions. OF the facts, however so far az they
are stated in his Message, upon which Mr.. Polk
grounds the recommendation of an increase of
the naval and military force, the country has been
long since appraised, and is capable of Judging
as himself. Is there no way, plain, easy, equi-
table, by which the Oregon dispute may be ami
cably settled? We believe there is. We have
had every evidence of the disposition of England,
10 arrive AT peaceful result. We have had good
Teason. in the language of the papers which are
upon this point the organs of the British Govern
ment, ADD in the declaration of the Premier him.
self in reference TO Mr.. Pakenham's rejection OF
the proposition OF 40, to believe that a pacific
tanned, if such he the inclination Of our Govern
mehi Such a settlement, we iearlessly venture
DO assert, would receive the appreciation OF three
tourths Of the American people. They are tho
roughly tired, disguised, sick at heart, of this
senseless quarrel. The President cannot but
kGow, that public sentiment, with wonderful una.
nimityi points him TO a compromise, by which our
honor may be preserved, and war avoided We
have the authority Of the Washington Cores
pondent of the Richmond Enquirer for saying
that u very decided ma ority of the Senate OF the
United States believed TO be IN favor of a
reasonable adjustment of the dispute. In his
letter Of the 22nd instant, he says:
"A letter. written in jocose vein, in the New York
Herald, headed Scientific clisic alton OF the Senate
eording To Buhon" exhibits signs Of what good number
here conceived to be the real condition OF that bo
dy on abe Oregon question, though know it embraces
takes 60 the individual position assigned many the
Senator'S Few doubt that treaty would be ratified the
basis OF the Ash degree OF North Latitude which by the
bye, should yield Great Britain the navigation the
snis of Fnea Indeed, it is generally believed that
more than twelve Senators could be found
against IT, Many members OF that body who would
tain - doubtless believe with the Executive lille
the United States the whole OF Oregon, up fifty tour
iorly is clear aud unquestonabe."
h such be the case, there can be no necessity
of AN ELI expenditure Of money for the OBJ
ieci specified by the President. He has If in his
power to save that expenditure, and to avert
the terrible issue Of a collision between two OF
the greatest empires of modern times.
We do not charge upon the President that he
wilfully designs to involve this nation in bloody
arife,-we would imPute TO man such horrible
erin al Nv ttt Last frnr
pla to the Omega of this Oregon dispute, he has
taught this nation Il lesson which may yet need
10 be enforced by the scorpion lash of war; never
to elevate an inferior man TO post of such tran.
scendant Importance. In his very Inaugural he
throws down the gauntlet of defiance TO Great
Britain upon this subject. He addresses her in
the menacing tone of a high-wayman, bidding
the traveller sop ard deliver, rather than in the
calm aud dispassionaic language Of a practiced
statesman. confident of the goodness of his cause,
and mindful Ol the cOurteses which shoui,. prevail
M the intercourse Of civilized nations. We ~
recollect the explosion which followed in the Br
fish Parliament. Then came a lucid interval. IN
which our Government made the proposition of
40, and then, its pettish Withdrawal Of NJ gotiaton,
because Of the somewhat unccremonious rciec
.
Afterwards, the Ambassador of Great Britain.
representing the socitude Of his Government to
AVOID u war makes the proposal Of arbitration,
and that, not by crowned heads, but by com.
mission Of distinguished private citizens. TINS
offer - ut once rejected, and upon grounds calcu.
lated to arouse general indignation in the minds
of The British people. Such, indeed. has been its
effect. Previous arrivals from that country had
Indicated pacific and friendly feeling. But. the
last news shews a decided change IN journals
WIN, IA had before been distinguished for the mo-
dcraiion of their tone TO our country. Dslrua
had pervadsu commercial circles, and a general
apprehension evidently prevailed, that 40 pru.
dental reasons woui! sufficiently restrain our
Government from stubborn adherence To a policy
which must terminate in war. Inc last act ~ this
strange drama is the Message which bids us put
on our armour and prepare lOr battle. II seems
90 US, that If Mr.. Polk had come into the EIecu.
tive Chair, with tho sole design Of involving our
country in hostities with Great Britain, he could
not have pursued line Of conduct better calcu
lated than that which he has in reality adopted,
90 bring about a collision with Great Britain. At
ihe Same tune we fully acquit him Of any such in.
tention, aud acknowledge that his course may be
more properly attributed to a lamentabe deicien.
cy Of the wisdom, judgment aud experience so
necessary to tho dgniied and successful discharge
Of the duties Of his responsible trust.
The President however, sincerely trusts" that
coiluion between the two countries may he avoid.
cd, aud declares IL TO be his "setted purpose"
20 pursue such course Of policy may be best
calculated 20 Presorvs ian honorable peace" We
wish We could feel tho same confidence that the |
Oregon controversy will be so Conducted by our
Government NJ Go come 90 a peaceful jeunIne- |
lion. Yet, Mr.. Polk has but to speak The word |