The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-04-22
From the London Times, March %

The Oregon Question I'm England.
Opinion or the Press.
From the London Times, March GAL
II IS undoubtedly circumstance of considerable
Importance to our present and future relations with
the United States, that at the very time when ter
rltorial controversy has arisen between the two
nations, which threatens to disturb the general
peace Of the world, the commercial policy of the
English and American governments is calculated to
enlarge and strengthen those great mercantile inte-
rests which are common to both countries. We can
not, however, altogether concur in the confident
expectations OF some OF our correspondents and
contemporaries that the reductions contemplated in
thu English and American tariffs will at once alay
the irritation or lower the pretenslons which have
been raised with reference 10 the Oregon territory
The connexion OF the two questions ia indirect
rather than immediate. Without inconsistency,
Mr. Polk might, and IN fact did, make the same
message which he sent down at the opening OF
Congress- very warllke in respect to Oregon, and
very paclhc In respect to tree trade and however
decided and enlightened his opinions may be on the
subject OF revenue duties, we have no reason to
common with all the other blessings OF peace, to
what be has declared to be the political and terri
toriaI interests of the United States.
Mr.. Pitt in the earlier and more prosperous years
OF his administration was practical freetrader.-
His commercial treaty with France, concluded in
l7S6, has never been surpassed by any subsequent
conventions OF the same kind in the liberay Of its
provisions. II the peace had lasted twenty years, il
y
intimate, and beneficial connection between France
and England. But the peace did not last the po-
hcal interests Of the two countries were still strug
CLING for ascendancy in Holland, aud when the
French revolution broke out with all its domestic
horrors and outrages against foreign nations, Mr..
Fit himself was not restrained by his commercial
treaty with France from declaring war on the
French Republic. THE spirit which guides the poll
cy OF powerful nations in their political and in their
commercial relations, Is two fold and distinct The
former are not to be dealt with by bargain, dis
posed OF by computation OF profit and loss. If they
were, war could ever break out in the world for
no war 10 worth what 1t costs in blood and treasure
least OF all such war as we may have to wage tor
this territory OF Oregon. But we cannot allow our
mercantile interests, or even the stall dearer interests
OF the lives and OF the Queens subjects, to de-
ter US from the firm, maintenance of our national
rights nor can suppose that the party the UNI.
ted States, which IS contendng Tor the assertion OF
absolute and complete rights to the Oregon territory,
will be more ready than ourselves to chatter what
they assert to be their own for mere trading advan-
ages nN
The commercial policy Of Mr. Polk 3 message and
the free-trade measures OF Sir Robert Peel, have
this IN common, that they are based on strictly ma
ti0nal grounds respectively, without any previous
concert or direct cOnnexlon with any foreign power
The statesmen who aim at efiectlng these great re-
forms In the commercial system OF the world, have
certainly Inotl overlooked the inevitable effect
their own enlightened views must produce in other
countries. But on both sides, the movement has
been spontaneous and hence on boIh sides there
has been somewhat exaggerated notion that such
vast and unforeseen concessions as these would lead
to the ready abandonment or dlmlnution the part
OF the other State OF the claims to the Oregon terri
tory. 1t Is common opinion IN the United States,
that when Mr.. Walkers tariff bill shall have reduc-
ed the import duties OF the Union to an average OF
70 per cent, England will very little for the de-
fence of her claims beyond the Rocky Mountains
and it has been constantly remarked on this side OF
the Atlantic, that when Mr.. Polk and his supporters
learn the extent of Sir Robert Pees plan for the ad
mission OF their staple commodities they will the
folly Of riskng such national advantages for the
chances OF most formidable contest. The alterna-
tive OF peace and war is at all times the most serious
question that can be entertained by government; ;
but the alternative OF peace accompanied by the mu-
tual benefits OF trade about to be opened to an I'M
limited extent or of war for the possession of such
territory as that OF Oregon renders the contrast Of
good and evil and the conflict between national in
terest and national duty, infinitely forcible and
momentous Nevertheless, although the people Of
this country have entertained strong hopes that the
policy OF Mr.. Polk might be sensibly modified by
the prospect Of free trade with Great Britain, and
although we rejoice at the prospect Of simultane
GUS abatement OF the protective system in the Uni
ted States, no one has ever commended in this
abandon the banks OF the Columbia, or to lower the
moderate and just claims to part of the Oregon ter
ntory which have been constantly upheld by the
british government. we are happy to pay Mr. Polk
his commercial reforms but there is not man in
our most crowded markets or our busiest ports who
would consent to give in exchange for these advan-
tages ope title OF British honor or one acre Of the
righuul dominlons OF the British Crown.
In very sensible and pacific speech which was
delivered in the Senate OF the United States in the
course Of the recent debate, Mr. Clayton held pre-
cisey this language. He strongly deprecated war;
he denied the paramount title Of the United States
to the territory in dspue he inferred from the total
absence OF warlike preparation on the part of the
American Executive, that no war could be intend
ed by the President; but he added, that it was fall
lacy to suppose that commercial advantages, how
| ever great, would induce the American people to
avert war, if they were not satisfied with the po-
lItlcal proposals made for the settlement OF the
question.
In one respect, and that not an unimportant one,
the proposed reduction OF the protective system in the
Unked States may have directly contrary effect to
that which has been anticipated by some OF the
friends OF peace IN this country. The six New Eng.
land States are those in which the general political
question OF Oregon is viewed with the greatest
indifference and moderation. The whole tone OF
feeling in these States, the ascendancy of the wing
party In several OF them their position on the coast,
hsr mercantile interests and their jealousy OF the
Western and Southern States, make them the best
friends and staunchest supporters Of peace with Eng
land, as far as Oregon is concerned. But the manu-
featuring interest," which is powerful in these States
and in no others, has directly opposite tendency
To large portion OF their population the proposal OF
low tariff is blow so hostile and SO fatr that we
shall not be surprised to find some Of The organs Of
public opinion in that part Of the Union preierrlng
war WHICH would smut tnelr ports ana secure tlelr
home trade, Ito peace watch will open the home
trade to British competition. Lord George Bentnck
and the protectionists I may well buster, tor war
is the strongest oil all protective duties it is pro-
hibltive and forty years ago 1t was not the Duke
Of Buckingham but Bonaparte who was the farmers
friend. The protectionists OF New England will
no doubt be effected by the came false anu perni-
cious argument and thus the portion Of the Ame-
rcan people in whom under other circumstances we
might have found the most cordial support for mo-
derate ahd pacific views, will In soma measure be
rendered less aversc to war by the very consdera-
tons which render more than ever to be depre-
Gated and avoided by the two nations. This ques-
ton Of the tariff has already once nearly broken up
the Union by the attempted notification Of system
Of high dates; j, may now'have similar effect in
OF those dutiest TO low rate. On this point the in
,eres.s a the North and South are rreconclleabIy
opposed; and from the energy with which il has
been conducted both sides, we cannot doubt that
each party prepared carry on the struggle TO the
last extremity So tina, il Mr.. Polk be disposed to