, 1844-03-27
MI. Wcbster---The Texas
Question.

Mr.. Webster hRs written a letter on
the annexation question, 10 sundry ciii,
zers of Worcester, Mass. The paper
containing the letter has moi reached US,
and We can now only give the following
extract from It which will be read with
interest. MIR. W. says;
81 am certainly Of opinion, with Nj,
Jefferson, Mr.. Madison, Mr.. J. @. Ad.
ans, and other eminent men, that IL
CONSTITUTION NEVER CONTEMPLATED II
ADMIss1oN OF NEW STATES, FORMED OUT
or THE TERRITORIES OF FOREIGN NATIONS;
and whiIel admit, that what has been
done in regard to Louisiana and Florida
musl now be considered as legally done,
vet ] do not admit the propriety Of pro,
ceeding farther, and admitting not a teri
tory, ceeded by q foreign nation, but a
foreign nation itself, with all its obliga.
lions and treaties, its laws and its %institu-
tons, into the number of the States
| which compose the Union"
The letter concludes as follows:
"The broad question proposed by you,
Of the probable general influence Of the
annexation of Texas upon American lib.
er,y and industry, the continuance Of
our Union, and the universal cause Of
knowledge, virtue, liberty and happiness,
is a question full Of intense interest, and
which suggests thoughts and reflections
well worthy to engage the deepest lie
lion of intelligent minds. 1t is not 10 be
doubted lhatt the continuance Of tho A.
merican Union. and its ~piosperiiy- aud
success, under its present form Of GOV.
ernment, is a matter of high moment 10
all mankind. II is one Of the most cher
ished hopes and reIiances of that u%niver-
sal cause Of which you speak; the cause
of human knowledge, virtue, liberty and
happiness. And he is a holder reasoner
than | am, who has satisfied himself that
this government may be extended indef-
niiely, either 10 the North or South, with
out e%ndaDgering its STABILITY and its dura-
ton. 1t is true that under the benefcent
operation of the practicle principle Of
maintaining local governments for local
purposes, and confiding general interests
10 a general government, The ends Of po-
liiical society are capable Of being full
filed, by the same free and popular sys-
fem, and the same administration, over a
large portion Of the earth. This il the
result of our experience; but our experi-
ence is the only instance Of such a result.
A monarchical and arbitrary government
may extend itself to the full limit of It's
military means. Under such a govern
ment, society is kept together by pressure
from above, by The weight OF the governs
ment itself, and the strength of its arm.
But hnw obvious is it that, in free, cleo
tive systems, the political society exists
and coheres, and must exist and cohere,
not by superintendent pressure on its
several parts, but by the internal and
mutual attraction of those parts; by the
assimilation Of interests and feelings; by
a sense OF common country, common POI
htlcal family, Common character, fortune
and destiny. Not only The organization
Of such systems. hut also their continue
ance by means Of periodical popular cleo
lions, necessarily requires intercourse,
mutual conference, md understanding,
and a general acquaintance among those
who nre to unite in such elections
When individuals are to be selected for
high situations in government, and to ex-
ercise ar influence over The happiness Of
all, il would seem indispensable, that II
general, if not a universal confidence
should be inspired, by knowledge of their
character their virtues and patriotism.
1t certniuly may be very we'll questioned,
with how much OF mutual intelligence,
and how much Of a spirit Of cancellation
and harmony, those who live On the 81,
Lawrence and the ST. Jouh, might be OK.
Pccled, ordinarially, 10 unite in The choice
Ut n President, with the inhabitants Of
the Banks Of the Rio Grande del Norle,
and the Colorado.
ait is evident, at least, that there mus,
he some ~bnundry; or some limits TO IA Re-
public which is TO have a common centre.
Free and ardent speculations may lead "a
he indulgence Of nm idea that such n Re.
publlc may be extended over n whole
hemisphere. On the other hond, minds
less Spnguine, or more chaslenst by The
eSrm,les IF history, may fear tha, extern
sits often produce weakness, rather than
'' ng y; and that political uitpclimn,
II Other attractions, 10 less aud Iesv