Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-01-16

ceediDgs, a spirit of liberal cjncession on the
part OF the United States; and this govern
ment will be relieved from all responsibility
which may follow the failure 10 settle the con-
ITOversy. "-President's Message.
Those vino have read the Presidents Mes
cage, and who has not! will recolect that the
above paragraph follows the history of the
Oregon negotiation, which the President pre-.
SenIs TO Congress in that document. After
stating the efforts which have been made time
after time by our government, to settle the
controversy in spirit of peace and compro-
mise, and that these efforts have proved abor.
tive from the absence of similar spirit on the
part of Great Britain, we'll may Mr.. Polk
cay "that this government will be relieved
from all responsibility which may follow the
failure to settle the controversy" Our
readers will recolect that the title Of the Uni
ted States to the whole Of that territory is good
against the world. And that it is so we as.
sumo, as we believe, there is but one opinion
on this subject amongst American statesmen,
to whatever party they may belong. No one,
indeed, who has read the correspondence be-
tween Messrs. Calhoun, Buchanan, and the
British Envoy, Mr.. Pakenham, especially the
closing letter of Mr.. Buchanan. and whose
mind is capable Of approaching truth, but must
irresistibIy come to the conclusion that our til
tie is good and valid one to the whole terri
tory, up to $40 40. Assuming this state
Ofthe facts, then. does not the proposition OF
the United STATES, which proposed 10 compro-
mise the conflicting claims of the two coun
tries by giving to England all north of the
49th degree, place her before the civilized
world in position which clearly exhibits hel
anxious desire to avert, by all honorable
means, the dire caIamiiies of war! In spin
which cannot but win for her the good opin
ion and favorable regard of-all Christendom
has she made every exer,ion and used ever,
endeavor to settle the dispute peaceably ant
amicably. Who is there, then, that would de
sire TO see our government so far lose all re
gard for her interests and her honor, as to of
fer still further concessions to the naughty ant
dictaIional mistress of the Old World w
trust there is ne man within our borders so al
terly wanting in patriotism-so utterly devoi
Of that spirit wil.ch should animate the bosor
of every American, as to desire peace, whe
4 that peace could ca!y be purchased by degra
dation and infamy-by yielding up our jus
rights, and with them oar honor.
The last offer of the United States we loo
,noD as IN ali intants and nurnosaS tho ..U
NAHUM of the United States. True, perhap
technically, it is not So. From circumstal
ceS, however, We think it has all the fort
Of an ultimatum. The whole people Of u
Union have become thoroughly alive to u
rights in that vast region, and we feel CO
fdent that Mr.. Polk nor any other execute,
would, for a moment, think of either offerir
on our part proposition less favorable to Il
United States, or of accepting such all of
from England. In our opinion, We could Il
do so without dishonor. What position do
England occupyl Without even the shade
of right to the sovereignty of one foot of t
soil of Oregon, she has refused to treat unle
We yield up to her yapacious demands, tw
thirds of the whole Of this vast region. CO
pretending, too, by far, the most valuable p
ton of the territory. Are We prepared to
this! And for what! Why. because if
do not, if we insist upon our just rights,
will provoke the wrath Of England, ''lhe
Eor Of earth and scourge of nations" We
Preciate as deeply any. perhaps, the aw
consequences of war. We know, too, thai
meeting England on the battle field, we sho
have to cope with the most powerful nation
the universe. All this We we'll know.
the maintenance Of our national rights
"a So national honor. such considerations she
ftvssgh xifh-us,' Th.y must and viii