Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1844-05-16

encroachmeut and smbrrion uf an already
overgrown Republic, seeking still further
acquisitions ofierrilory,to maintain the in-
dependence of Texas, disconnected with
The United States, and TO prevent the fur
Their propagation of slavery from the U.
States, what would be the effect of such
allegations upon the judgment of an i'm
partia! and enlightened world!
Assuming that the annexation of Texas
is war with Mexico. is II competent 10 tho
treaty-makIng power 10 plunge this coun-
try into war, not only without the con-
currence Of, but without deigning TO con-
suit Congress, to which, by the Constitu-
ton, belongs exclusively the power of de-
claring war :!
Ihave hitherto considered the question
upon the suPposition that the annexation
is attempted without the assent Of Mexico.
If she yields her consent, that would ma
terially affect the foreign aspect Oft
question, if it did not remove all foreign
difficulties. On the assumption ofthat
assent, the question would be confined to
domestic considerations which belong to
it. embracing the terms and conditions up
on which annexation is proposed. l do
not think that Texas ought to be received
into the Union, as an integral part ofit.
in decided opposition to the wishes of q
considerable and respectable portion Of
the Confederacy. think it far moro
wise and important TO compose and har-
monize the present eonfederacy. It now
exists, than 10 introduce a new element
of discord and distraction into it. In my
humble opinion, il should be the constant
and earnest endeavor Of American States.
men to eradicate prejudices, to cultivate
and foster concord, and 10 produce gene
raj contentmem among all parts Of our
confederacy. And true wisdom, II seems
to me, points 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 end with the certain
ty of deep dissatisfaction. Mr. Jefferson
expressed the opinion, and others believed
ihpt it never was in the contemplation of
the trainers of the Constitution 10 add for
eign territory to the confederacy. out of
which new States were to be formed
The acquisition of Louisiana and Florida
NAV be defended upon the peculiar ground
of the relation in which they stood to the
States Of the Union. After they were ad.
mitied, we might well pause while, peo-
pie our vast wastes, develope our resour-
ces, prepare the means Of defending what
we possess. and augment our strength,
power. and greatness. Thereafter fur.
Their territory should be wanted for an in
creased population, we need entertain no
apprehensions but that il will be acquired
BY means, il is to DO hoped, fair. honora-
BILE, and constitutional.
1t is useless to disguise that there are
those who espouse and those who oppose
the annexation of Texas upon the g,onnd
of the influence hich il would exert, 10
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 unfortu.
maize, or pregnant with more fatal conse.
qlences, than that of obtaining it for the
purpose of strengthening one part against
another part of the confederacy. Such
a principle, put into practical operation,
would menace the existence, it it did not
certainly sow the seeds of dissolution Of
the Union. 1t would be 10 proclaim TO
the world an unsuitable and unquenchable
thirs. for foreign conquest or acquisition
of territory. For if to-day Texas be ac-
qnired 10 strengthen one part of the con-
federacy, TO. morrow Canada may be re-
quired 10 add strength to another. And.
after that might have been obtained, still
other and further acquisitions would be
necessary to equalize and adjust the bal
ance Of political power. Finally, in the
progress of,bis spirit of universal domin-
lon. the part Of the confederacy which is
now weakest, would find itself still weak
er from the impossibiliiy of securing new.
theatres for those peculiar institutions
which it is charged with being desirous
10 extend.
But would Texas, ultimately, really
add strength TO that which is now con.