The Arkansas banner., 1844-07-24

who looked deep into the future, and had nc
 design to strip themselves of any high national powers or destinies.
 When it was objected by some, in debate ] in l8Il, that, on this construction, Sates
 might he admitted, not only contiguous, b0i
 in the West Indies, South America, and even Europe, the reply seemed sensible and perti- Iuent, that on the American theory of self
 government, no reason existed why weshould
 not be allowed to admithuy State that would
 conform 10 our representative system, and
 whose uni6nwith us should, by inc majority
 of both countries, CT tbe proper authorities,
 be considered mutually advantageous, and
 that we might well wish 10 extend the bles-
 sings of our government as widely e Pfacti-
 cable.
 So far as convenient and beneficial, the whole world may thus become partners, says 1 MansfeId's Political Grammer, D. l43 and l44.
 This extended construction of the power has proved salutdry oRe-(Story's Gonstih- tional Glass Book, D. 98.9 | is seffed be- yond practical doubt.-(Duer's Outlines ol Constitutional Jurisprudence, p. lS6.)
 Such is the view in Tucker's Blackstone,
 Alp, Y. 1. p. 278. And the F'cderalist itself looked to tie clause for admitting new States generally as designed to include foreign ter- ritories adjoining us. (See 43d No.l
 So Mir. Macon said ill the debate as to bou- siana, that the constitution was designedly made broad, so as to admit such a foreign territory and government as Canada, when agreeable to both because the territory and people within our lims were already within the Union, and entitled 10 be, under old com pacts, treaties, and sessions.
 Such also was the view Of Mn Jefferson, under tbe confederation, fv. 1, Life, p. 398.)
 Indeed, how could wars he prosecuted for wrongs inflicted, and just tindcmnity obtained, if any. conquests of territory made could not be held They can be and become a part of the uation.-l Peters's R. ?. 542) And if so, are we Co treat them ill due time, and when fit, as equals and component parts of the Union or exhibit the shameful injustice as well as impoliey of keeping them in dis lfanchised and humiliating sefYimde
 In 3 Story on Con. 193, its laid down fhat " the general government possesses the right to acquire territory by conquest by treaty." Again, l60-l: 'rhe constiiutionality of the two former acquisitions fbouisana and Florida though formerly much questioned, is now considered settled beyond any prac- teal aoubt.n
 II was objected in 1903, that, under tha loim of cession, we may become united 10 a more powerful neighbor or rival, and be involved in European or other foreign iute- rests and contests 10 an intefminable eXtent- P. 1877
 But the reply was, that < the right to ac- qaire territory is all incident 10 sovereign ty."-(p~1599
 Every government that ever yet existed posscssesa competency toadd to its territory, lt ceases 10 Have the functions of an indepen- ient nation, if il cannot, by treafy or discoY- 2rY, obtain new boundaries for convenience, i of new lands for culture, or new ports for commerce.; and, as heiore suggested, il Is stripped of the national function of acquiring territory, when assaulted by unjust war, and holding 1t either for indemnity, or profit, or security And if we can acquire Ii, reason, as well as the Constitution, requires us, in due time, to make States out of it, and admit them into the Union.-( l60. Story says, in ! note to this page, that the Hriford Con- 'eatioR proposed to prevent such admission, mless by a vote of two-thirtls of both Houses; md by report in that body, indirectly de- { lied the authority to admit States or any ter ltory without our original limits. But this loctrine has slept with that Convention since, is believed, till revived by Mr. Adams in lis Texas speech, in lS36, in Congress. and lis political address in New ' ork in 1859.
 How little ground exists for such doc- rlne, even in the opinion of the greatest con tintonal lawyer of his own party, may be cen by looking to Sd Story, pages l60, 16l.
 "sGc 1883. The mere recent acquisition # Florida, which has been universally ap- proved, or acqaieseed in by all the States, an be maintained only on the same pruci- lie, and furnishes striking illustration of the ruth, that constitutions of government require l liberal construction to effect their objects md that narrow interpretation of their pow 'rs, however it may suit the views of specu- atiye philosophers, or the accidental interests 't political parties, Is incompatible with the permanent interest of Jhe State, and subyer- i've of the great ends Of all government. the aiety and independence of the people,
 ] rom New Jersey argues, preventthe 5less{aqs ( H6criy from being enjoyed by the posterity f our fathers as they designed. Because lere Is enough al the bounieoas talle foraH aat posterity and any new associates. All uch can participate with them in that free om as they do in the air, water, and sun. without loss to either, and without exclusive IesS and misanthropY.
 In truth, our whole history serves to de- nonstrae the wisdom, on general as well as constitutional principles, of expanding our imits within the vast increase of our popala- ion and wealth. Such expansion prevents lany of the evils of too dense population, nd secures the predominance of the safe. irtuous, andrepublican pursuit ofargculture. [ is said that we have Sparta, and let us dorn il. But is there never to be an escape rom the infant shell nor any enlargement f the shell itself to suit she growth of the nnnal within Is our Sparta lo be confined orever 10 a garden spot, or single plantation single city or a few barren acres, as in ireece, with iron only for money, 6l4ek broh