Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-05-25
The 6 sFifty-FOur.FOrty or Fight -
Question Revived.

Question Revived.
The Invalide Russe, of st. Petersburg, says
that "mutual advantages" will accrue to
Russia, the United States and the people of
Siberia. from the conclusion of the Russian-
American territorial cession treaty. v y
The acquisition of this territory by the
United States, naturally revives the recol-
lection of the surrender of that portion of
our possessions on the Pacific between 80
and 81 degrees and 40 minutes north lati-
tade, during the Administration of Mr..
Polk. q -FEE TFRrFfE y
The greatest mistake of that Admins
tration was the giving up of that territory
our title to it being, in the opinion of the
ablest statesmen, "clear and unquestiona-
ble." Yielding to the, clamor of parties,
opposed to the extension of the area of
freedom, who proclaimed that If our rights
were enforced, war with England was
inevitable, President POLK so farEgaye way
as to take the advice of the United States
Senate on the question, and majority of
that body, including every Anti-Demo-
cratic Senator, advised a compromise on
the line of 80 degrees, surrendering to
England five and half degrees of Ameri-
can Territory, and with it some of the
finest harbors on the Pacific coast.
1t was the great error of Mr.. Pork s
life, and we have reason to believe that in
after years he so considered it. Tssyfggp
Col. ALLEN, then representing Ohio in
the Senate, with STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS,
General CAss, HANNEGAfS. of Indiana, and
other Western Senators, stood promin-
emily forward to protest against the be-
trayal of the rights, the honor, and the in
terest of the country. y.
The purchase .of the Russo American
possessions by the United States must nec-
essarily renew the agitation of the "54 40
| or fight" question, so earnestly discussed in
Congress and by the people in 1S45 and '46.
The territory ceded to England extends
over three hundred miles on the Pacific
coast, completely dividing the United States
from her newly acquired possessions. If
England gave it up, by treaty or otherwise,
it would cut off her possessions from the Pa
cific coast-to hold it England interposes
three hundred and thirty miles of Pacific
coast between Washington Territory and
the 'Russo-American possessions, so that it
Is Impossible for our citizens to pass, ex-
cept by sea, from Washington Territory to
the new purchase without traversing soil
belonging to foreign power.
| The settlement of the Alabama claims, it
is thought opens door to prevent future
trouble. To settle these claims England,
| it is thought, to prevent future dis
putes,, and perhaps, at no distant day, 9
collision,1 will. transfer this Territory to the
United States. Mr.. SEWARD, it is stated
has already ,broached the matter.
| If this territory is not retroceded to the
United States, trouble must necessarily en-
sue between the two nations. Our Gov
ernment cannot long remain in peace with
a Foreign power, whose colonial posses
sionsr divide into two parts, our Territory,
and this fact must be patent to the English
ministry.
But whether Territory which now pre-
sents so fine subject for future quarrel
and perhaps strife, remains English Terri
tory or is retroceded to the United States,
time, which we are told, at least makes al
things even, has amply justified not only
the conduct, but has proven the truth ofth'
predictions of Senators ALLEN, CAss and
DOUGLAS, when the United States Senate
advised the President to make a treaty
which the Senate subsequently ratified
| giving to that power Territory clearl,
our own, larger than the whole of Eng
land. 30.
But little over one-fifth of century ha
elfpsed since that Treaty was made, an
the men now living, who then cowere
to England, see the folly of their conduct
for England would no more have risked
war on that question, than she would nov
on one of the most trifing nature. Th
United States now bids rair, on this ques
ton or Douudary, to realize that most awfu
of all curses, a repentance which comes to-
late.