Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1844-05-17

other ma no, Goes mexico oner. as an IN
demnity for our Losses, 10 the galantry
and enterprise Of our countrymen This
view Of the subject sUpposes that rhe war
would be confined to Inc United States
and Mexico ss the only beltgerents -
Bot have we any certain guaranty that
Mexico would obtain no allies among the
great European 9owefs' Suppose any
such Powers, jealous Of our increasing
greatness, and disposed to check our
growth Ond cripple Us, were to lake part
in bohaI! Of Mexico in the war. how
would the different beIligerenn present
themselves 10 Chislendom and tho en-
lightened worldY We have been Sc.
rlously charged with an nordinate spi-
rlt Of territorial aggrandzement; g. with
out admitting the justice Of tho charge
il must be owned that we have made
large acquisitions Of territory within the
last forty years. Suppose Great Britain
and Franco, or one OF hem were to
take part with Mexico, and, by a man
'eslo. were to procIalmuhat their OBJ
jectS were 10 assist weak and he p'ess
ally to check the spirit OF encroachment
and ambition OF an BIrea1y overgrowH
Republic, seeking still further acquisi
tlons Of territory, TO MAINTAIN the Inde.
penjence OF Texas, disconnected with
the United States, and to prevent the
further propagation Of slavery from the
United States, what would be the effect
Of such allegations upon the judgment
Of an impartial and enlightened %orId3
Assuming that the annexation Of Tex
as is war with Mexico, is it competent
to the treaty making power to plunge
this country into war, not only without
the concurrence Of, but without delgn-
ing to consult Congress, 10 which, by
the Constitution, belongs exclusively the
power Of declaring war?
have hitherto considered tho ques
tion upon the suppostion tba, the an
nexation is attempted without the assent
of Mexico II she yields her consent,
that would materially affect the foreign
aspect oflhe question, if it did not re-
move all foreign difficulties. On the
assumption of that assent, the question
would be confined TO the domestic con
siderations which belong TO ii, embrac
ing the terms aud conditions upon which
annexation 10 proposed. | do not think
that Texas oughtto be received into the
Union, as an integral part of il, in deci-
ded opposition 10 the wishes OF e consid
cradle and respectable portion o. the
Con(ederacy, think it far more wise
and important TO compose and harmOG.
ize tho present Conlederacy, as it now
eXists, than 10 introduce a new element
OF discord and distraction into it. la
my humble opinion, it should be the
constant and earnest endeavor OF Amer,
ican statesmen 10 eradicate prejudces,
TO cultivate and foster concord, and TO
produce general contentment among all
paris OF our Con(ederaCy. And true
wis dom, ii seems 10 me, points 10 the
duty Of rendering its present members
happy, prosperous, and satisfied with
each other, rather than 10 attempt TO in
troduce alien members, against the
common consent and with the certainty
of deep dissatisfaction Mr.. Jefferson
expressed the opinion, and others be-
ieved, that it never was in The Contem
plaiion Of trainers of the Constitution
to add foreign territory to the Confed
eracy, out OF which new States ware tc
be formed The acquisitions Of Loui-
siana and Florida may be defended upon
the peculiar ground Of the relation in
which they stood 10 the States of the
Union. After they were admitted, we
might well pause awhile, people oul
vOsle wastes, develope our resources
prepare tho means of defending what we
possess, and augment our strength, pow
er, and greatness. II hereafter further
territory should be wanted for an in.
creased population, We need entertain
no apprehensons but that it will be ac
quired by means, it is to be hoped, fair,
honorable, and constitutional.
tis useless 10 disguise that there are
those who espouse aud thoss who op
pose 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
| conceive that no motive for the scqui.
siIon Of foreign territory would be more
unfortunate. or pregnant with more IA
tai consequences, than that of obtaining
it for the purpose Of strengthening one
part against another part Of the com
mon Confederacy. Such q principle
put into practical operation, would me-
mace the existence, il it did not certainly
SOW the seeds OF dissolution Of the I'm
ion. 1t would be to proclaim to The
world an Unsuitable and unquenchabt
thirst for foreign conquest or acquisition
of territory. For il to day Texas be &C
quired 10 IosIrenglhen one part Of tho Con