The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-01-09


ity of that which was to follow,
Il gladly take this opportunity to
mention in an informal way my
hope that this matter which was
already inauSurated by Mr.. Up
shur before his untimely death may
come to perfectly pleasant con-
/ summation. refer to the ques-
ton Of Texas
Il beg pardon, your Excellency,"
rejoined Mr.. Pakenham, half rising.
Your meaning is not perfectly
clear to me-
The same icy smile sat upon Mr..
Tyler's face as he went on: Il
can not believe that your govern
ment can wish to interfere in mat
ters upon this continent to the ex-
tent of taking the position of open
ally OF the republic of Mexico, a
power so recently at war upon our
own borders with the brave Tex
ans who have left our flag to set
up, through fair conquest, repub-
lie of their own"
The notified face of Mr.. Paken-
ham assumed a yet deeper red. LAS
to that, your Excellency,' said he,
your remark is, as you say, quite
informal, of course-that is to say,
as | may state
Quite So" rejoined Mr.. Tyler
gravely. The note of my Lord
Aberdeen to us, none the less, in
the point of it's bearing upon the
| ~ of ole
pears to this government as an ex-
preston which ought to be dis
avowed by your own government.
Do | make myself quite clear?'
! with John Calhoun present. Tyler
could at times assume courage
though he had it not.)
Mr.. Pakenham's face glowed a
deeper red. Il am not at liberty
to discuss my Lord Aberdeen's
wishes in this natter he said.
I'VE met here upon purely in
formal matter, and"
Il have only ventured to hope"
rejoined Mr.. Tyler, that the per-
sonal kindness of your own heart
might move you in so grave mat
ter as that which may lead to war
between two powers
War, sir, war; Mr.. Paken-
ham went wholly purple in his sur
prise, and sprang to his feet
War" he repeated once more
AS though there could be any
hope"
Quite right. sir said Mr.. Tyler
grimly. las though there could be
any hope for US save in our own
conduct of our own affairs, without
any interference from any foreign
power
| knew it was John Calhoun
speaking these words, not Mr..
Tyler. | saw Mr.. Calhoun's keen,
cold eyes fixed closely upon the
face of his president. The con
sternation created by the latter's
words was plainly visible
"Of course, this conversation is
entirely irregular-I mean to say,
wholly unofficial, your Excellen-
cy?' hesitated Pakenham. ut takes
no part in our records?"
"Assuredly not said Mr.. Tyler.
Il only hope the question may
never come to matter of record
at all. Once our country knows
that dictation has been attempted
with us, even by England herself
the North will join the South in
resentment. Even now, in FESTIVE.
ness at the fancied attitude of Eng
land toward Mexico, the West
raises the demand that we shall
end the joint occupancy of Oregon
with Great Britain. Do you per
chance know the watchword which
is now on the popular tongue west
of the Alleghanies? 1t bids fair
to become an American Marseil-
laise"
Il must confess my ignorance,
rejoined Mr.. Pakenham.
Our backwoOdsmen have in
vented a phrase which run Fifty
four Forty or Fight"
Il beg pardon, l am sure, your
Excellency?"
1T means that if we conclude to
terminate the very unsatisfactory
muddle along the Columbia river
a stream which our mariners first
explored, as we contend-and if
we conclude to dispute with Eng
land as well regarding our delim-
itations on the Southwest, where
she has even less right to speak,
then we shall contend for ali that
territory, not only up to the Column
bia, but north to the Russian line,
the parallel of fifty-four degrees
and forty minutes. We claim that
we once bought Texas clear to the
Rio Grande, from Napoleon, al
though the foolish treaty with
Spain in 1919 clouded our title
in the belief of our Wing friends,
who do not desire more slave terri
tory. Even the Wings think we
own Oregon by virtue of first nav
igation of the Columbia. Both
| Wings and Democrats now demand
Oregon north to tifty-four degrees,
forty minutes. The alternative =?
My Lord Aberdeen surely makes
no deliberate bid to hear it,"
"Or fight exclaimed Paken-
ham. God bless my soul, Fight
lus?"
Mr.. Tyler flushed. Such things
have BEEN" said he with dignity.
At this astounding speech the
British minister sat dumfounded
This air of courage and confidence
on the part of Mr., Tyler himself
was something foreign to his rec
ord. l knew the reason for his
boldness. John Calhoun sat at his
right hand.
At least, the meaning of this sud
den assault was too much for Eng
lands representative. Perhaps, in
deed, the Berserker blood of our
frontier spoke in Mr.. Tyler's gaze
That we would fight indeed was
true enough.
AT this point, your Excellency,
the dignity of her Majesty's ser.
vice would lead me to ask excuse, .