The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-05-16

guaranty that Mexico would obtain no allies
among the great European Powers? Sup
pose any such Powers, jealous Of our %increas-
ing greatness, and disposed to check our
growth and cripple us, were to take part in
behalf o Mexlco in the war, how would the
different belligerents present themselves to
C~hristendom and the enlightened world?-I
We have been seriously charged with an in
ordinate spirit of territorial ACCOMPLISHMENT;
and, without admitting the justice of the
charge, it must be owned that we have made
vast acquisitions of territory within the last
forty years. Suppose Great Britain and
France, or one of them, were to take part
with Mexico, and, by a manifesto, were to
proclaim that their objects were TO assist a
weak and helpless ally TO check the spirit of
encroachment and ambition of an already
overgrown Republic, seeking still further ac-
QUESTIONS of territory, to maintain the indie
pendence of Texas, disconnected with the
| OAIIOQ 0LolOS, olO " PlCfSAl IL It'll PiO-
pagation of slavery from the United States,
what would be the effect of such allegations
upon the judgment of an impartial and en-
Gghtened world?
Assuming that the annexation of Texas is
war with Mexico, is it competent to the trea-
ty-making power TO plunge this country into
wal, not only without the concurrence of,
but without d%eigning to consult Congress, to
which, by the constitution, belongs exclu-
sively the power of declaring war?
l have hitherto considered the question
upon the supposition that the annexation is
attempted without the assent of Mexico. II
she yields her consent, that would materially
effect the foreign aspect of the question, if
it did not remove all foreign difficulties. On
, the assumption of that assent the question
would be confined to the domestic consider
atoms which belong to it, embracing the
terms and conditions upon which annexation
is proposed. l do not think that Texas
ought to be received into the Union, as an
integral part of it, in decided opposition to
the wishes of a considerable and respectable
portion of the Coniederacy. l think it far
more wise and important to compose and
harmonize the present confederacy as it now
exists, than to introduce a new element of
discord and distraction into it. In my hum
bic opinion, il should be the constant and
earnest endeavor of American Statesmen
TO eradicate prejudices, to cultivate and fos-
ter concord, and to produce general con-
tentment among all parts ofour C~onfederacy.
And true wisdom, it seems to me, points to
the duty ofrendering its present members hap
Ply, prosperous and satisfied with each other,
rather than attempt to introduce alien mem
bers against the common consent, and with
the deep dissatisfaction. Mr.. Jefferson ex-
pressed the opinion and others believed,tha
it was never in the contemplation of the fra
mers Of the Constitution to add foreign ter
ritory to the Confederacy, out of which new
States were to be formed. The acquisition
of Florida and Louisiana may be defended
upon the puculiar ground ofthe relation in
5 which in which they stood to the States oil
the Union. After they were admitted, we
might we'll ~pause-people our vast wastes,
develop our resources, prepare means of de-
Tending what we possess, and augment GU
D strength, power and greatness. Thereafter
o further territory should be wanted for an in
creased population, we need entertain nc
apprehension but that it will be acquired by
means, it is to be hoped-fair, honorable
and constitutional.
1t is useless TO disguise that there are
those who espouse and those who oppose
l the annexation of Texas upon the grounc
Y ofthe influence which it would exert in tht
" balance of political power between two grea
sections of the Union. [ conceive that n,
motive for the acquisition of foreign terrific
ry would be more unfortunate or pregnan
with more fatal consequences, than that O
obtaining it for the purpose of strengthenin,
one part against another part Of the commol
confederacy. Such a principle put int
practical operation, would menace th
existence, fit did not certainly sow tn
seeds ola dissolution ofthe Union. 1t woul
be to proclaim to the world an Unsuitable an,
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