The Whig standard., 1844-04-29


contentment among all parts of our Confedefaey'
And true wisdom, 1t seems to me, points 10 Tue
duty OF rendering Its present memDels hapP!, |
prosperous, and satisfied with each other ra'hef
than 10 attempt to introduce alien hehioels'
against the common consent and win Tue ce'-
1, tainty of deep satisfaction. Nr. JEFFERSON
expressed the opinion, and others beneved, that
it never was in the contemplation OF the trainers
of the Constitution to add foreign territory to
the Confederacy, out of which new States were
! to be formed. The acquisitions of Louisiana
and Florida may be defended upon the peculiar
ground of the relation in which the ystood to the
States of the Usion. 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 augment our
strength, power, and greatness. If, hereafter,
further territory should be wanted for an increas-
ed population, we need entertain no apprehen-
sions but that it will be acquired by means, it
1 is to be hoped, fair, honorable, and cons,tu-
tional.
1t is useless to disguise that there are those
I. who espouse and those who oppose the annexa-
!. alton 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 acquisition Of
foreign territory would be more unfortunate or
pregnant with more fatal consequences, than that
OF obtaining it for the purpose of strengthening
one part against another part of the common
8 Confederacy. Such principle, R1tin practical
operation, would menace the existence if it
did not certainly sow the seeds of dissolution
Of the Union. II would be to proclaim TO the
world an Unsuitable and unquenchable thirst for
foreign conquest or acquisition of territory. For
1t to-day Texas be acquired TO strengthen one
part Of the Confederacy tomorrow Canada may
!. be required TO add strength to another. And,
after that might have been obtained, still other
/ and further acquisitions would become necessary
I to equalize and adjust the balance of political
power. Finally, in the progress of this spirit Of
universal dominion, the part of the Confederacy
which is now weakest, would find itself still
weaker from the impossiblity 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 considered the weakest part
OF the Confederacy? If my information be cor
rect It would not. According to that, the terri
tory Of Texas is susceptible of division into FIVE
States OF convenient size and form. Of these,
two only would be adapted to those peculiar in
sttutions to which | have referred, and the other
three, lying west and north of San Antonio, be-
ing only adopted to farming and grazing purposes,
from the nature of their soil, climate and produc
tons, would not admit of those institutions. In
the end. therefore, there would be two slave and
three free States probably added to the Union.
II this view Of the soil and geography of Texas
be correct, it might serve to diminish the zeal
both OF those who oppose and those who are urg-
ing annexation.
Should Texas be annexed to the Union, the |
United States will assume and become respon-
sIble Tor the debt of Texas, be its amount what
1t may What it is, do not know certainly ;
but the least have seen it stated at is thirteen
millions of dollars. And this responsibility will
exist, whether there be stipulation in the treaty
or not expressly assuming the payment of the
debt Of Texas. For suppose it to be undeni-
able that, if one nation becomes incorporated in
another, all the debts, and obligations and incum-
berances, and wars of the incorporated naticn be-
come the debts, and obligations, and incumber-
ances, and wars Of the common nation created by
the incorporation.
II any European nation entertains any amb-
tious designs upon Texas such as that of coloniz-
ing her, or IN any way subjugatng her, should
regard It as the imperative duty of the Govern
!, ment of the United States to oppose to such de-
signs the most firm and determined resistance,
TO the extent, if necessary, of appealing to arms
to prevent the accomplishment of any such de-
signs The Executive of the United States
ought to BET informed as to the aims and views of
foreign Powers with regard to Texas, and pre-
sume that, if there be any of the exceptionabe
character which have indicated, the Executive
will disclose to the coordinate departments of
the Government, if not to the public, the evidence
OF them From what | have seen and heard, |
believe that Great Britain has recently formally
and solemnly disavowed any such aims or purpo-
ses-has declared that she is desrous only of The |
independence of Texas and that she has no in
tention to interfere in her domestic institutions
II she has made such disavowal and declaration,
lpresume they are in the possession of the Ex-
ecutye.
In the future progress of events, it is probable
tnat there will be voluntary or forciblc separa-
ton OF the British North American possessions
from the parent country. l am strongly inclined
10 think that it will be best for the happiness of
all parties that, in that event. they should be
erected into separate and independent Republic
With the Canadian Republic on one side, that of
iexas on the other, and the United States the
friend of both, between them each could advance
Its own happiness by such constitutions, laws.
and measures, as were best adopted to its pecu- !
liar condition. They would be natural allies.
ready, by cooperation, to repel any European or
foreign attack upon either. Each would afford