The Democratic Pioneer

Which is the Better Mode?

The Oregon Territory is admitted on almost all sides to be ours; yet there are some men in our country, rather than contend for it as becomes every lover of the Bright Flag of Liberty, would yield it all up to the tyrannical British. False lovers.

Would it be better to give that vast important region of country to those who are seeking it for their welfare and our eternal ruin--or would it be better to give it to an American, whose desire is to improve, cultivate and make it one of the best, if not altogether the best portion of this Union? We would say with the true Americans: contend for it until the last inch is maintained; and then if given away let the American people, the just possessors have it. The Territory, if in itself is worthless, the honor of our country is worthy much strife, and at the hazard of every thing that is sacred should be preserved. By yielding any portion of our territory, we yield a proportion of the honor gained for us by the patriotic Revolutioners, a thing which would brand us by all friendly nations, as traitors to blessings given us by the hard fought battles of our noble fathers.

Mr. Whitney, after viewing a route, offers to make a railroad from lake Michigan to the Pacific ocean for a small portion of the Oregon; yet the giving it to him for the accomplishment of so great a benefit would be too much of a bounty; so say these dear lovers of our land, who are willing to give it all to the British. Let a general protest against such a course be sent in to Congress this winter--let a demand be made of our constituents for a manly, quick and determined action, holding every inch of territory belonging to the Union, and in such action, the people will uphold them.