Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1844-05-10


cate pre- udices. to cultivate and foster concord.
and to pro1uce general contentmcnt among all
parts of our Confoderacv. And true wisdom. it
seems to me. points to the duty of rendering its
present members happy, prosperous. and salts
tIcd with each other. rather than to attempt
troduce alien mombers. against the common con-
sent and with the certainty of deep dissatisfaction.
Mr.. Jefferson expressed the opinion, and others
believed. that it mover was IN the contemplation
of the trainers of the Constitution to add foreign
territory to the Contedcracv, of which
States were to be formod.-The acquisitions of
Louisiana and Florida NAV be defended upon
tho peculiar ground of tho relation in which they
stood TO tho States of tho Union. After they
were admitted, VIC Nigh well pause awhile, peo-
pie vast wastes. develop our resources. pre-
pare the means of defending what VIC possess, and
augment strength, power, and greatness. If
hereafter further territory should bo wanted for
an increased population, we need entertain p
prehcnsons but that It will be acquired by means,
it is to be hoped, fair honorable, and consttu-
tiOnal
Ii is useless to disguise that there re those who
espousc and those who oppose tho annexation of
Texas upon tho ground of the influence which it
would exert in the balance of political power. be-
tween two great sections of tho Union.
coivc that motive for the acquisition of for
cign territory would be more unfortunate, preg-
nant with moro fatal consequences, than that of
obtaining it for tho purposes Of strengthening one
part against another part o. tho common Confcd-
cracy. Such principle put into practical opc-
ration, would menace the existence if it did not
certainly SOW the seeds o. dissolution of the
Union. 1t would be to proclaim to the world an
Unsuitable and unqucnchabc thirst for foreign
conquest or acquisition of territory. For If to
day Texas be acquired to strengthen ono part of
the Confoderacy, to morrow Canada may be
quired to add strength to another. And. after
that might have boon obtained, still other and fur
thcr acquisitions would become necessary to c.
qualizc and adjust the balance of political power.
Finally. in the progress of this spirit of unlver-
sal dominion, tho part Of the Confo1oracy which
is weakest, would find itself still weaker
from the inpossbitv OF securing theatres
for those peculiar institutions which it is charged
with being dcsirous to extend.
Bat would Texas, ultimately. really add
strength to that which is considered the weakest
part Of the Confcdoracv. If my information be
correct. it would. According to that, the torrl-
States of convenient size and form. OF these,
two only would BE- adapted those peculiar inst-
tutons to which | have referred. and tho other
throe wing west and north of San Antonio, being
only adapted to farming ard grazing purposes,
from the nature Of their soil. climate. and pro-
auctions, would not admit of those Institutions
In the end therefore, there would be two slave
and three free States probably added to tho T.
mon. If this view of the sell and geography of
Texas be correct. it mi ght servo to diminish tho
zeal both of those who Oppose and those who arc
urging annexation.
Should Texas be annexed to the Union the T.
nited States will assume and becomo responsible
for the debt of Texas be its amount what it may.
What it Is, do not know certainly; but the least
havo sccn it stated at. is thirteen millions of dol
lars. And this responsibility will exist, whcth- +
there be stipulation IN the treaty or not eX-
prcssly assuming the payment of the debt of Tex
as. For suppose it to be undeniable that, if ono
nation becomes incorporated in another. all tho
debts and obligations. and membranes, and
wars of the incorporated nat on, become the debts
and OqlI cations, and ncum)rances, and wars of
tho common nation created ~ the interpretations.
1t any European nation ontcrtans any ambl-
tious designs upon Texas, such that of coIoni |
zing her. in any subugatino her. should
regard 1t as tho imperative duty of the Govern
mont of the United States to oppose to such do
signs tho most firm and determined resistance. to
the cNtcnt, If necessary. OF appealing to arms
to prevent tho accomplishment of any such de-
signs. Tho Executive of the United States ought |
to be informed to the aims and views of for
oign Powers with regard to Texas. and presume
that, II there be any of tho cxceptionablo charac
ter which | have indicated. the Executive will |
disclose to tho coordinate departments of the |
government, II not to the public, the evidence of
them. From what havo seen and heard. be-
icve that Great Britain has recently formally and
soicmnlv disavowcd any such aims purposes
has declared that she is dosrous only of the indie
pcndcncc of Texas. and that she has no intention
to ntcrtcrc IN her domestic institutions. If she |
has made such dsavowal and declaration. | pre- |
sumo they IN tho possession of the Executive. |
In the future progress of events, it is probable |
that there will be a voluntary forcible separa-
ton of the British North American possession |
from the parent country. am strongly inclined
10 think that will be best for the happiness of all
parties that. In that they should be erected
into separate and independent Republic. With
the Canadian Republic one side. that of Texas
the other, and the United States. the friend of
both. between them. each could advance its own
happiness By such constitutions. laws and naa-
sures were best adapted to its peculiar condi-
ton. They would be natural allies. ready. by
corporation. to repeal any European or foreign
attack upon either. Each would afford secure
refuge to the prosecuted and oppressed driven IN
to exile by either OF the others. They would en-