The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-08-23
HENRY CLAY SAYS THAT TEXAS WILL
NOT INCREASE THE POWER OF THE


ssBut would Texas really add strength to that
1.-THE south which is now considered the weakest
part of the confederacy' If my informeon be
correct, it wond not. According to that, the
territory of Texas is susceptible of division into
five States of convenient size and forms or these
two only would be adapted to the peculiar instiu-
tions [slavery1 to which have referred, and the
other three, lying west aud south Of San Antonio,
being only adapted to farming and grazing purpo
ses, from The nature Of their soil, climate and
productions, would not admit OF those institutions
In the end, therefore, there would be two slave
and three free States, probably added to the
Unon.''
THE EXTENSION OF OUR TERRITORY.
The next most important objection TO the annex
alton Of Texas, is, that thereby our territory will
be materially enlarged Persons urging this argu
l1ent forget that if Texas is annexed TO the Union,
we will but have recoved our lost property-that
we viii but reposse.s ourselves Of the soil which
was wrongfAlly transferred to Spain, and that we
will simply replace our boundary lines where they
stood for sixteen years, and would now be, but for
mistake or mismanagement.
This is The same objection urged to the purchases
Of 1903 and 1919. The cry then was, as now,
"Y0u making the oa'ltry too iUge" But it
may well be asked, what danger is TO result from
the extension of or territoay' Should we intro.
duce new interests or hostile population, the
objection would have some plausibility, but Texas
has TO iaterest different from ourselves, and we
and her sons are children Of the same common
parent.
The fewer the number of States, the more
readily can our Union be subverted. If we had
only thirteen, originally, seven States would
constitute majority, and could overthrow the
balance. With our present number, it would
require double seven to accomplish the same
object; and the greater the number CT States the
more traitors viii it require to subvert our present
admirable fabric. Had our Union consisted of
few States, the Hartford Conventonists of the last
war would have stopped the wheels of government,
and enable British foe to tread our soil in safety;
and in 1892, the nuiers OF the south might have
occasioned just alarm for the permanency of Our
confederacy
For all practical purposes, the distance between
places is not TO be computed so much by the extent
of territory intervening, as by the time it requires
to pass from point to point. Maine and Louisiana
are now nearer together than were Baltimore and
Cincinnati thirty years ago. The journey from
our federal seat of government to Texas, may be
performed in eight or nine days When New
Orleans was added TO our territory, it required
forty days to pass from that place to the city of
Washington. Consequently, Texas is now, for all
practical purposes, about fourth the distance
gfu that Nayy Orleans
was at the time of its purchase from France
Hence, the argument against the extension OF our
territory applies with three fourths less force to
the acquisition Of Texas than to the purchase Of
what is now Louisiana proper. Who is willing
TO surrender our claim to Oregon' and yet three
months required to pass from the States to that
territory.
HENRY CLAY SAYS THERE is NO DAN
GER FROM THE EXTENSION OF OUR
TERRITORY,
In Mr.. Clay's eloquent speech, delivered Sd
April, 1920 against the transfer of Texas TO Spain,
he uses the following language: [See Greeley's
life and speeches of Clay, vol. /, Ap p. 14.l
81 know that there are honest and enlightened
men who fear that our confederacy is already too
large, and that there is danger of disruption,
arising out Of want Of reciprocal adherence
between lis several parts. l hope, and believe,
that the principle of representation, and the forma
tion of States will preserve US united people"
But again, look 10 the almost miraculous increase
bf our population-behod cur new States and
territories filling up as if in day-gaze upon the
neyer-endiDg tide Of emigration which is hourly
pouring in upon us from Europe, and then answer
if there is danger of our possessing too much
territory. We are not to legislate for our own
generation alone, butt behooyes US to contemplate
the future. In one century from the present time,
what will be the population Of this republic? In
two and in three centuries, who dare set bounds
TO its lncalculabe numbers? And do we wish our
poSterty hGddled together as in degraded Europe,
or still more miserable Asia? Cod forbid!
Neither must the administration of Jefferson be
forgotlen-that towns and cities are sores upon
the body polite; aud the more sparsely populated
the country, the greater is the likelihood of the
flourish Of virtue and patriotism.
WAR WITH MEXICO.
The third objection to the annexation of Texas,
is, that thereby we will involve ourselves in a war
with Mexico. This argument is worthy of but
slight attention. If we have right OH our side, as
we must assuredly have, our Union fears no power
in Chrstendom, nor will she be turned from her
path by clustering menaces, let them come from
what quarter they may: We should, it is true,
be more scrupuIous in respecting the rights, of
Mexico than. perhaps, those of any other govern
ment on earth. Her insignifcance should protect
her from injustice, for she is POOR, miserable,
weak, rckety, and tottcring fabric, at best, and
is entitled to our pity and compassion, if not to
our prayers. What! the American Eagle pounce
upon Mexico' As we'll might he stoop from his
towering height to seize upon the sparrow! 1t is
not consistent with the character of our repubc