Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-03-29

moment to all mankind. 1t is one Of the most
cherished hopes and reliances that universal cause
of which you speak; the cause OF human knowledge,
virtue, liberty and happiness. And he is holder
reasoner than am, who has satisfied himself that
this Government may be extended indefinitely, eli.
Their to the North or to the South, without endan-
gerng its stability and its duration.
II is true, that under the benefcent operation of
the practical principles Of maintaining local gov
ovnments for local purposes, and con6ding general
interests to general government, the ends of po-
litical society are capable of being fulfilled, by the
same free and popular system, and the same ad-
mnstration, over large portion of the earth'--
This is the result of our experience; but our OK
perience is the only instance of such a result A
monarchical and arbitrary government may extend
itself to the full limit of its military I'm
der such government, society is Kept together by
pressure from above, by the weight of the Govern
ment itself, and the strength of its arm But how
obvious is it, that, in free, elective systems the po-
litica society exists and coheres, and must exist
and cohere, not by superintendent pressure on its
several parts but by the internal and mutual attrac
ton of those parts; by the assimilation of interests
and feelings; by sense Of common country, COM
mon political family, common character, fortune
and destiny
Not only the organization Of such systems, but
also their continuance by means of periodical pop
ular elections necessarily requires intercourse, mu-
tual conference and understanding and general
acquaintance among those who are to unite in such
elections When individuals are to be selected for
high situations in government, and to exercise an
influence over the happiness of ALL it would seem
indispensable that general if not universal con-
tidence should be inspired, by knowledge Of their
character, their virtues and patriotism. 1t certain
1y may be very well questioned, with how much of
mutual intelligence, and how much of spirit of
cancellation and harmony those who live on the st.
Lawrence and the st John, might be expected Or
tlinarly to unite in the choice of President, with
the inhabitants of the banks of the Rio Grande del
Norte and the Colorado his evident, at least that
there must be some boundary, or some limits to a
Republic which Is to have common centre Free
and ardent speculations may lead to the indulgence
of an idea. that such Republic may be extended
over whole hemisphere.
On the other hand, minds less sangune, or more
chastened by the example of history, may fear that
extension often produces weakness, rather than
strength and that political attraction, like other
attractions is less and less powerful, the parts
become more and more distant In this difference,
between ardent speculations, and cautious fears it
seems to me to be the truest wisdom to abide by
the present state of things since that state of things
is acknowledged on all hands to be singularly hap
Ply, prosperous and honorable. In all points of
view, therefore, in which can regard the subject,
my judgment is decidedly unfavorable to the pro-
lect of annexing Texas to the United States. "You
nave OpalCa SUM was tue adliOnillon OF tne
ancient prudence" embellish itm We have a
Republic, gentlemen, of vast extent and unequaled
natural advantages; Republic, full of interest in
its origin, its history its present condition. and its
prospects for the future. Instead of aiming to en-
large its boundaries, let us seek rather to strength
en- its union, to draw out its resources to maintain
and improve its institutions of Religion and Lber-
ty and thus to push it forward in its career of pros
perity and glory.
i am, gentlemen with most true regard,
Your obliged friend,
And obedent servant,
DANIEL WEBSTER.