Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1844-05-09

territorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT and, without
admitting the justice of the charge, il
must bs owned that we have made vast
acquisitions of territory within the last
forty years. Suppose Great Britain and
France, or one OF them, were TO take
part with Mexico, and, by manifesto,
were to proclaim that their objects were
to assist a weak aud helpless ally TO
check the spirit of encroachment and
ambition Of an already overgrown Re-
public, seeking still further acquisitions
of territory, to maintain the independence
OF Texas, disconnected with the United
States, and to prevent the further pro-
pag a,lon of slavery from the United
States, what would be the effect Of such
allegations upon the judgment of an i'm
partial aud enlightened world
Assuming that the annexation of Texas
is war with Mexico, is ii competent to
the treaty making pewer 20 plunge this
country into war, not only without the
concurrence of, but without deigning to
consult Congress, to which, by the Con-
sli,ulon, belongs exclusively the power
Of declaring war!
have hitherto considered the ques-
ton upon the supposllion that the annex
alton is attempted without the assent OF
Mexico II she yields her consent, that
woad materially affect the foreign as
pect of the question, If it did not remove
all foreign difficulties. On the assump.
tion of that assent, the question would be
confined To the domestic considerations
which belong to it, embracing the terms
and conditions upon which annexation is
proposed do not think that Texas
ought to be received into the Union, as
an integral part Of il, in decided opposi-
ton To the wishes of considerable and
respectable PARTON of the Conlederacy.
think it lar more wise and important to
compose and harmODlZe the present Con
federacy, as ii now exists, than to intro
duce n new element of discord and dis
traction into it. In my humble opinion,
II should be the constant and earnest en-
deayor of American statesmen to eiadl-
cate Prcludices, to cultivate and foster
concord, and to produce general con-
tentment among all parts of our Conlede-
racy. And true wisdom, II seems 10 me,
poinis to the duty of rendering its present
members happy, prosperous, and satisfied
with each other, rather than TO attempt
to Introduce alien members, against the
common consent and with the certainly
of deep dissatisfaction. Mr. Jefferson
expressed the opinion, and others be-
lievsd, Giat il never was in the cOnrm-
plation of the trainers of the Constitution
to add foreign territory TO the Confedera-
cy, out OF which new States were to he
formed. The acquisitions Of Louisiana
and Florida may be defended upon the
peculiar ground of the relation in which
they stood to the States OF the Union
After they were admitted, we might well
pause awhile, people our vast wastes,
develop our resources, prepare the means
of defending what we possess, and aug
ment our strength, power. and greatness.
lf hereafter further territory should be
wanted for All increased population, we
need entertain no apprehensions bu. that
it will be acquired by means, it is to be
hoped, fair, honorable, and constitutional.
1t is useless to disguise that there are
those who espouse and those who oppose
the annexation of Texas upon the ground
of the influence which it would exert, in
the balance OF political power, between
two great sections Of the Union. l con-
ceive that no motive for the acquisition
Of foreign territory would be more unior-
tunate, or pregnant with more fatal con-
sequences, than that of obtaining it for
the purpose of strengthening one par,
against another part Of the common Con-
lederacy. Such principle, put into
practical operation, would menace the
existence, if it did not certainly SOW the
seeds of dissolution of the Union. 1t
would be to proclaim to the world an in
sa,iable and unquenchable thirst for for
.cign conquest or acquisition of territory.
For if to-day Texas be acquired to
strengthen one part Of the Conlederacy,
tomorrow Canada may be required to
add strength to another. And, after that
might have been obtained, still other and
further acquisitions would become ne
cessary to equalize and adj usl the balance
Of political power. Finally, in the pro-
gress of this spirit Of universal dominion,
the part Of the Confedcracy which is now
weakest, would find itself still weaker
from the impossiblNty of securing new
theatres for those peculiar institutions
which it is charged with being desirous
to extend.
But would Texas, ultimately, really
add strength TO that which is now CON
sidcred the weakest part OF the C0nlede-
racy lr nv information be correct, IL
would not. According to that, the ter
rltory of Texas is susceptible of division
into five States OF convenient size aud
form Of these, two only would be
adapted 10 those peculiar institutions to
which | have referred, and the other
three, lying west and north Of San An
tonio, being only adapted TO farming and
grazing purposes, from the nature OF their
soil, climate, and productions, would not
admit of those institutions. 10 the end,
therefore, there would he two slave and
three free States probably added to the
Union. IL this view OF the soil aud
geography of Texas be correct, 1t might
serve to diminish the zeal both OF those
who oppose aud those who are urging
anne xaiion.
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