, 1860-11-30
The NOrth-Wsst Boundary question.


As yet no decisive steps have been takea
BY the Administration nor the British au-
thorities TO bring to any decisive issue the
question In which is involved the right Of
either nation 10 the Island Of San juan
Much has already been said and written
upon this fruitful theme, and considerable
feeling has been manifested BY the people
of both nations relative to their rights, bot
the most stirring and truthful appeal that
has yet been made upon this national ques-
tion has emanated from that ripe schoIar
aud able historian,' Gro. BAECnog1, who,
during hissddreas at the Inauguration Of
the Perry Statue at Cleveland, Ohio, made
use Of the following language:
Even now a British minister, whose
past career gave hope Of greater fairness,
Is renewing the old system Of experiments
on the public contingency Of the pusilan-
Unity, the indifference, or the ignorance Of
some future American administration, and
disputes our boundary in the northwest,
though the words Of the treaty are too
plain to be perverted, and though the Uui-
ted States claims no more than the British
Secretary Of State who offered the treaty
explained as its meaning before Il was sign-
ed. British soldiers are now encamped on
part Of our territory which bears the
name OF Washington. With q moderation
that should have commanded respect the
United States waived their better claim 10
Vancouver, and even to any part Of Il,
thinking II conducive to peace 10 avoid two
jurisdictions on different parts Of the same
island; and in return for this forbearance,
the British Minister yielding perhaps to
some selfish clamor Of trading company,
as much against British interests as against
American rights, Teproduees on an Ameri-
can island the inconvenience Of divided
occupation, which Il was the very purpose
Of the treaty to avoid. ~.
"lf the hum Of the American seaboard
Is in part the echo OF the sentiments from
abroad, here the unmixed voice Of America
may be heard, as ID pronounces that Il is
too late TO wresi territory from the United
States BY prevarication, BY menace or BY
force. From the English dockyards It Is
q long voyage to San Junn; the only good
land route across the continent lies south
Of Lake Superiorfin . few years there viii
be three ohios en- the shores Of the Pacific.
Itis England's interest as well as eur duty
70 give effect TO the treaty as II was inter-
lpreted BY hprown minister 10 ours. Your
voices on this memorable day gire the In
siruction 10 our own government to abide
by the treaty faithfully, on the condition
that Britain will do the same; but the
treaty must bind neither party or both
must be executed IN good faith or cancelled.
The men whe honor the memory Of Perry
will always know how to defend the domain
Of their country.
Has any European statesman been mis-
counting the strength Of this nation by sub
shutting q reminlsence Of our old feeble
confederation for the present efficient and
almost perfect organism Of the body politicy
Has any foreign ruler been 50 foolish as to
listen with crednlity 10 the tales OF impend-
ing disuuionG Every mas Of the people Of
Ohio, this great central highway Of nation.
al travel, will, without one exception, tell
the calnmniator or the uubelieyer, that the
voices OF discontent among rs are but the
eyanescent yapors Of mems breath; that
our little domestic strifes are no more than
momentary Disturbances on the surface,
easily settled among ourselves; that the
love Of Union has wound its cords indissolu-
bly, around the whole American people
$50 then our last word shall be for THE
UxIox. The Union win guard the fame OF
its defenders, and evermore protect our en-
tire territory; It will keep alive for man
kind the beacon lights Of popular liberty
and power; il will dissnade nations IN .
state Of unripeness from attempting to
found republican governments before they
spring up naturally BY an inward law. and
It's mighty heart will throb with delight At
every true advance in any part e the
world tsWard republican happiness and
freedom.