The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-03-10

1HiS is the HOSt important era III our history
since we became free and independent ma
ton. The present Congress of the United States
have greater responsibility resting upon them
than any preceding Congress, since the organiza-
ton of our government. Two questions now pre-
sent themselves to the consideration and action of
our government, of vital Importance, not only to
the many millions of our people, now living, but
to the hundreds of millions, yet UNBORN who are to
come after us, and who are to be affected, for good
or for evil, by our acts
These two questions are, the annexation OF Texas
to the United States, and the property and posses
sion OF the Oregon territory. They are questions
that intimately affect the destiny of these United
States and they deserve, and doubt will receive
the deepest and most profound attention of our so
vernment.
In the consideration of these subjects we hope
the most liberal and enlightened system of policy,
will be observed If this principle Is applied, In
determining the question, whether Texas shall be
admitted into the Union or not, we have no fears
for the result And it ought to be applied. 1t is
with pain we perceive disposition, manifestng
itself in the north and east, at variance with this
enlightened and liberal policy. We see local ea-
lousies and sectional prejudces in various quarters.
This is very wrong. 1t is not local or sectional
question. 1t is purely national; and ought to be
considered in refere the interest and welfare
of the people of the United States, and not to part
of them. md not only its present benefit to
the people living, bufto their remote posterlty,
who shall come after them.
The most bitter enemies to the annexation of Tex
as to be found in our country are he abotionists
But with what propriety or reason we cannot see.
has hee nv art c i'm ON nuhIic
journals, that the evils OF slavery would be con-
siderably lessened by the annex Tex would
be drain for the evil, in our sou and middle
States They (the slaves) would gradually find
their way to the southern borders of our extended
empire, which would mutually promote the interest
and happiness of the slave and the STAKEHOLDER.
There is another class Of persons, we fear, do
not look at this subject in its true light. They do
not take liberal and enlightened view of it. They
seem to think we have territory enough-that it is
already too large. The views of such persons are
much too contracted. They only look at the pre-
sent-they do not see into futurity. The same rea-
sons were given against the acquisition of Louisl-
ana and the same reason might be, and probably
was given, when were but thirteen States,
against increasing them. The truth is, there is no
ground for this opposition to the annexation. II we
do not nov, we shall soon want more territory.
" Compactness is strength and Texas borders
upon US, and her people sons, brothers, ia
theirs and relatives.
The liberal and enlightened view we wish our
government to take of this subject, ought toextend
to all its consequences. And this will embrace our
foreign relations. 1t is said that lMexico will de-
clare war against if we receive Texas into the
Union. We believe there is some foundation for
this opinion among some of our people. Indeed
we believe Mexico has already threatened it, We
look at this as one Of the consequences of uniting
Texas us, but look at it with the Indifference
and contempt that power witnesses the rawlings of
imbecillty and weakness. II the law of nature,
the law of nations, and the law of God, give right
to the acquisition of Texas, the feeble and futile
threats of Mexico will pass unheeded by us.
Another OF the consequences of annexing Texas
to the United States, liberal and enlightened
policy should take into consideration 1t is said by
some that Great Britain will by no means consent
that we shall extend our territory along the Gulf
Of Mexico. That her intimate relations with
Mexico, who is her ally, will not permit her to look
on and see the transfer. That it will provoke
war between England and the United States! We
do moi believe it. But we do believe that England
herself has an itching palm-that sine now stands
ready and willing to take this delightful and fruitful
country under her protection, and place her In
colonial alliance and dependence, and we believe
her relations with Mexico very much favor her
views in acquiring this new republic. We should
therefore, look at this subject in all its bearings
and see its nature, connection and relation. A
| liberal and enlightened view of il will, we think
disembarrass it of those supposed difficulties and
objections we have mentioned. Having cleared il
of the supposed difficulties and obstacles the next
consideration its benefits and advantages to us
as a nation. They are so numerous, and have been
amply detailed in the journals of the day, that il
would be mere repetition to repeat them here.
So also the same liberal and enlightened policy
should guide us ia our decision in relation to the
possession of the disputed territory of Oregon. 1t
is with some depression OF national pride, that we
see disposition evinced in some portions of our
western and southern borders TO take forcible and
military possession of the territory, at the very mo-
ment the two claimants are entering into treaty
in respect to the property and possession. We are
sorry to see this spirit prevail in any portion of our
country II can do no good, and may be the origin
of much evil We are as tender of national homo,
and glory as others can be. We would not sacli-
flee particle of it. We would not give up foo,
oil oregon 10 pTedt cNcH " IL WtIc Il DbT-
rem rock, if it rightly belonged to us. We would
exhaust the last cartridge box in claiming and de.
Tending it, but if it does not belong to us, if our
title to it is not good, we would not have it, if the
territory was paradise filled with all the beauti.
full growths of nature. We would, as we said be-
FORE apply to this question enlightened and be-
raj policy; but that policy should be directed and
controlled by the eternal principles OF truth and
Justice. IF the land be ours, we would have it;
and we would have it at the expense Of our blood.
We would fight for III II it be not ours, we would
not have il, though forced upon us. And whether
i, be ours or not will depend upon the strength of
the titles of the claimants, which is in the act
of being shown. The treaty will exhibit the rights
of the respective parties We should then wait
for the Issue of the treaty, and not permit our pa
rio,ic zeal and love Of country neutralize those
rinciplee ,ye bova b.ap inn of