Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-01-14

was because lie was HTsl noillIldtcup ~ III 80,
II was as in the case OF Gen. Washington, when
the motion 10 place him al the head OF Inc army
came from Massachusetts,.
But We recommend 10 Mr.. kenncdy'S notice
the following more emphatic article from The Al
bany Argus
"OREGoN AND TExAs-The subject OF the oc-
cupaton of Oregon and the remuneration oil Tex
as, was brought before the Senate yesterday, by
Gen Clark, in series of resolutions, which will
be found in our legislative report.
s'N 1cM be scc,, that Hry 60 tor Annexation, at
he earliest practicable period sr1pcd Of all en-
bayrassng questions, direct or incidental. We do
not donJt MAI they express lie pcrradins popular
sentiment oftde STATE"
Yet il Mr. Kennedy is pleased TO lay such stress
upon The silence OF the Governors Message, will
he turn TO The Albany Argus Of Saturday lasll-
He will find its accomplished Editor, (he State
Printer and The friend of Governor Wright and
Mr.. Van Buren,, calling the attention of its read
ers 10 IAN interesting article (on the subject OF
Texas and Annexalon) from The pen Of an able
writer and much respected citizen which ori9i-
nally appeared in "rhe Utica Observer"
Itbears The title of "The Annexation Of Texas
considered with reference 10 the justice of the
measure. as respects foreign nations, and its Ell
fects on the u Siates-by A. 3. Johnson"
We have room only for the conclusion Of the
artcle-and il evidently bespeaks master
spirit:
"Who Thai has mind 10 comprehend these
facts, and heart 10 feel them, would wish 10
check this progression by suspicious fears? and
especially while now, il such fears are well found
ed, we are sufficiently extended in territory and
numbers 10 fall victim 10 these clements OF de-
sruclion, if such they truly are. Nay, il imagl-
nation must govern us, may We not rather suppose
ihatdversilies Of local interests be harnonzec
bv the augmentation OF our coniederacy; Just as
The turbidncss of separate streams is neutrallzed
in proportion 10 the magnitude OF the recipient
river Some statesmen, men of no little acute
ness and consideration in public affairs. main
tain as the best policy species of free trade that
would seem 10 require for lis consummaion mat
all the nation. OF the earth should constitute a
single Government.
But, aside from all geographical jealonses
many persons on principles of abstract moral re-
pugnancy iC slavery, oppose the annexation OF
Texas 10 our Union; for, il Texas be moi annex
ed, she may be physically coerced by Mexico or
morally by Great Britain, 10 rclinquish slavery
| admit the contingency. A like result by means
of a servilc war or foreign inlerposition, might
follow the election from our Union OF the existing
slave States To Il man morbidy absorbed by
one idea, the above contingencies may be snili-
Client 10 make him both reject Texas and rcpu-
diate Louisiana, though some persons believe
that Texas will be instrumental in supprcssing
slavery in all our old States, by supplying more
profitable field OF operation for the slaves; and
that free labor flowing in TO fill up the vacuum,
state OF society will be engendered destructive Oh
slavery; and further, that slavery, thus concen-
traled in Texas, will, BY The proximity Oh races
in Mexico, kindred 10 the slaves, be gradually al
luicd from Texas, and lost irreclaimably IN
Mexico.
"But abandoning HYPOTHESIS, would invite
such Of our citizens are disposed 10 balance the
GOOD and evil OF anr measure and 10 he govern
cd in their preferences BY the prcponderance OF
The good, 10 look 4, the certain benefits that must
result from The acquisition of Texas. II is in
size about equal 10 six times the dimensions oi
our Empire State, with climate said 10 be salu-
brious, and giving us the monopoly OF the
finest cotton. land and Of the finest cotton that
the world produccs an article which is yet IN
a condition of giant infancy, rs relates 10 It's
commercial importance 10 our country and The
world, and its many mnislIations 10 the comforts
of the poor, and the qualification Of all classes
Under the auspices of our Union, this immense
country will become the home Of millions OF hu-
man beings; not drawn from other regions 10 de-
populate them, but by the laws Of nature new
growth ofimmorial, accountable, intelligent be-
ings In the birth oil such an empire, with lis
ramilied consequences 10 the end OF time, and
through eternity, can we sec nothing but The
naked, and perhaps temporary question of sa-
veryl Is the Introduction nothing into such re-
gion OF our language, with its literature: and our
laws, customs, manners arts, religion, and prlvi-
leges2 Is the addition nothing of such territory
10 our home such member Of our family circle,
with whom we may interchange location without
adopting new allegiance; and interchange pro-
81 IL. ,E. n.pttn
naiionaliiyl The acquisition OF these benefits
seem 10 expand each one Of us into something
more than our present stature; and 10 give 10
every mechanic, manufacturer, merchant and ca-
tivator of the SOIL some source oi additional act-
witty and prosperity
al know, however. that many persons believe
our Union is already sufficiently large Tor strength
and that additional extent will only encumberus
II we examine this notion shall find il is found
cd on analogies that are not applicable to our con-
dilion. When an empire Is composed OF conquer
ed nations, that are continually struggling to re-
gain their lost independence, every new acquisi-
lion but divides the strength Of the conqueror and
he becomes exhausted by the division. But our
union is voluntary, and like an arch, constitutes
areciproca,ion OF strength which all the members
yield 10 each, and each yields TO all. Such al
least is the result Of our system thus far; and The
experience of half a century of peace and war
is safer indication OF lis nature, than the con-
lectures ofany theory.
"But are we willing that annexation shall be
obtained at the expense Of a war with Mexico,
and perhaps with England? This question is
best answered BY asceraining whether annexa-
ton is compatible with our duty as a moral and
christian people; for no nation is required 10
avert war, by any other means than TO act justly.
"Ncxt April nine years will have elapsed since
the capture of Santa Anna and his army by The
Texans, at The battle of San Jacinto. Mexico
has ever since RETAINED from the subjugation Of
Texas, from want OF power, or an abandon
mcnt ofits exercise In the war of our levolu-
lion, the capture OF Bursoyne by our troops, was
alone deemed SO vital seal Of Independence,
that France forthwith treated us as an indepen
dent nation; though her obligations towards @.
Britain, with reference 10 us, were doubtless rs
great as our obligations 10 Mexico with reference
to Texas.
"In the recent struggle between the provinces OF
Greece and the Empire of Turkey nothing oc
CURED that will compare in decisiveness with the
battle oil San Jacinto, or The acQuiescence OF Mex
leo; still England and the other principal Go
vernlncnts OF Europe decided that Greece had
virtually fire. itself from the authority OF Tur-
key, and they assisted in consolidating her pro-
vinces into separate kingdom. The same sove
reigns al the subsequent revolt of Belgium from
the authority OF Holland allowed Inc KING oil
Holland 4 brief period 10 reduce 10 obedience his
rebellious province, but prohibited him from con-
tnuing in vengeance efforts that were seen 10 be
Intellectual for the purposes OF subjugalion; and
Belgium was organized into an independent king
dom. These results differ from the incidents Of
remote history, bul the difference is claimed BY
the Government OF Europe as triumph OF JUS
tce over physical power, whose reign terminated
ed with The overthrow of Napoleon. England,
therefore, is morally estopped by her own prac-
tees from any exceptions against the indePen-
dent voliticns of Texas; and in the judgment ..
all Enrope, as evnccd by the foregoing cases,
Mexico has no Just cause OF offence against Us
by our disregard OF her latent sovereignty.
We are apt 10 estimate The RICH. Of Mexico 10
Texas as identical with mans ownership Of a
chaticl. The proprietary right in both cases is
founded in resulting social Benefits bu. deny
that social benefits require that the rules Of own
crship which apply TO chattels should apply 10 the
u -