Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 20.pdf/211

 THE FEDERAL RELATIONS

OF OREGON

201

largely attended meeting in Marion County, Illinois, declared 40' was clear and the joint occupation that the title to 54

agreement should be terminated immediately and military posts 12 Such expressions of established on the road to Oregon. popular feeling are but indicative of a sentiment which was growing with rapidity in the summer and autumn of 1845 and upon which the conservative elements of the North and South looked with apprehension. Across the water a similar popular clamor was rising as a result of the Inaugural. The matter was considered important

from Lord John Russell a question in the House the answer of Sir Robert Peel was not of a character which would allay apprehensions. The British press was stirred into renewed activity and, led by the London

enough to

of

elicit

Commons, 13 and

Times, conducted a campaign of education as to the sinister The blunt statement of Presidesigns of the United States. dent Polk had been a blow to the amour-propre of England and the feeling was everywhere expressed that the insolent Yankee must be taught to adopt a different tone. "There are certain

animals that

them,"

the

is

may be led, but won't be driven way Wilmer & Smith's Times

Bull

put

it.

is

one of "In his

intercourse with foreigners he prides himself upon his courThe new tesy, and he expects the same courtesy in return. has stirred his president's peremptory style bile, and the up

House

of

Commons

has scarcely reassembled after the Easter

when Lord John

Russell's" question brought up the went on to call attention to the London Times' editorial which could be considered an indication of the stand which the government would take. 14 recess,

matter.

This

article

"We are justly proud" said the Times, "that on the Oregon question as well as on that of the northeastern boundary the British government has uniformly shown its moderation as well as its firmness on our side. It is impossible not to deplore, on the other hand, that ill regulated, overbearing, and aggressive spirit of American democracy, which overlooks the real 1.2 Several such items are in the Register for 9 August 13 3 Hansard, 79; 178 sea. 14 Niles' Register of 26 April contains these as well as other quotations from the press of England.