Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-08-20
From the Alb. Eve. Journal.
HOW THE BRITISH GOT FRAZER,s
OWED

Alr. buchanan, then Secretary of State under
| Polk, conducted the negotiations on the subject
ana was the most strenuous asserter Of our rights
| to the whole of Oregon. lie was readicst to main
tain them at all hazards and was the last and the
most unwilling to recede from them.-Atlas.
Although the Frazer River Territory was
surrendered to Great Britain by a Democra-
| tic President with the consent of Democra-
| tic Congress, the Atlas endeavors to make it
appear that "the opposition" and not .the
Democracy" are responsible for the loss of
that Gold bearing Region to the Union. A
retrospect at the history of events in 1876
will settle the question of responsibility.
The Admin istration in 1915 expressed a
determination to maintain our claims to the
whole of Oregon, up to 81 deg. 40 mln., and
II necessary, resort TO arms. The Union.
then as now the official paper at Washing
ton, spoke thus belligerently on October 9th,
ISIS -
When that word goes forth from the constituted
authorities of the Nation, sour right to Oregon is
clear and unquestionable," who donbts that il will
90 the whole length and breadth of the land, and
that it will be hailed as it goes, by the Democratic
Party with one unanimous AMEN And what
then We answer-ths, then-the Democracy of
this country will stand to the word. II WILL NOT
FINCH.
This warlke language, the Union en-
forced by quoting with approval, the sentiment
mo compromise but at the cannon S mouth :"
When Congress met, similar hourishes were
made by the Democrats in both Houses
Atchison proposed to organize the Oregon
Militia. Cass offered resolutions to put the
Army and Navy on War footing. Hanne-
gan Introduced others. asserting our claim to
all Oregon, and declaring the surrender of
any portion of it would be, "an abandon
ment of the honor, ch aracter and best inter-
ests of the American people" Allen pro-
posed to give notice to terminate the Joint
occupancy Dix and Dickinson pledged the
Democracy of this State to support the claim
of "a deg. 40 minutes.
But here matters took an unexpected turn.
Sohn Quincy Adams, Messrs. Joshua r.
Gddings, Darragh, Baker, Hillard, and
other prominent Wings, and Preston King,
and other Free Soil Democrats-instead of
holding back and opposing, as the Admins
tration confidently expected they would-bid
them Ego ahead :" They had the sagacity
to perceive that the Administration was
merely playing game to get the glory of
claiming Oregon, and to throw the response
bility of giving it up.upon its opponents Nor
did they see in the contemplated preservation
of so much Free Territory, any damage like
ly to come to the Union. So the Wings
voted for Gen. Cass's resolutions. Mr..
Adams whose name WIS first called on the
vote to claim the whole of Oregon, (Jan. I'd,
1867 produced a marked sensation in the
House by responding Aye. He declared he
hoped the notice would be given and follow
cd by real occupation Of the whole Territory.
He wanted no more negotiation. He could
negotiate after taking possession.
II war should follow (which he had no
fears OF, Mr.. A. SAID the result would be
that the whole of the British possessions
North of us would he added as free States To
the Union.
1t turned out as might have been ex-
pected The South had been timorous
from the first. Southern Congressman
exhibited none of the braggadocio spirit
toward England that they had towards Mex-
leo. Nor were their apprehensions at all al
layed by the attitude Of Messrs. Adams and
Giddings. They foresaw an unpleasant di-
lemma before them, in case of a War with
Great Britain for Oregon. II we beat Great
Britain, there would be an immense gain of
Northern Free Soil Territory If Great Bri-
tain beat us, there would be an end put to
Slavery. Moved by these conditions. the
Hotspurs Of Virginia and Carolina became
as mild as lambs and as peaceable as doves
They implored calmness. They were for
peace, for compromise, f)r negotiation. They
did net want the notice given, They did