Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1845-03-08

them new and ever-increasing markets for their
products.
To Texas the reunion is important because
the strong protecting arm of our governm snt
would be extended over her, and the vast re-
sources Of her fertile soil and genial climate
would be speedily developed, while the safety
OF New Orleans and of our whole southwestern
frontier against the hostile aggression, as well
as the interests of the whole Union, would be
promoted by it.
In the earlier stages ofonr national existence,
the opinion prevailed with some, that our sys.
TEN ot confederated states could not operate sue.
cessfully over an extended territory, and serious
objections have, at difleren. times, been made
to the enlargement of our boundaries. These
objections were earnestly urged when we acaui-
red Louisiana. Experience has shown that they
were not well founded. The title Of numerous
Indian tribes to vast tracts of country has been
extinguished. New States have been admitted
into the Union; new territories have been ere.
ated and our jurisdiction and laws extended o.
yer them.
As our population has expanded, the Union
has been cemented and strengthened as our
boundaries have been enlarged, and our arri.
cultural population has been spread over a
large surface, our confedera,ve system has ac-
quired additional strength and security. II NAV
well be doubted whether it would not be in
greater danger of overthrow -four present pop.
ulaton were confined to the comparatively mar.
row limits of the original thirteen States, than
II is, now that they are sparsely settled over ii
more expanded territory 1t is confidently
believed that our system may be safely ex.
tended to the utmost bounds of our territorial H.
mts and that, ms it shall be extended, the
bonds of our Union. so far from being weaken
ed, will become stronger.
None can fail to see the danger to our safety
and future peace if Texas remains an indepen-
dent State, or becomes an ally or dependency of
some ioreig ign nation more powerful than herself
Is there one among our citizens who would not
prefer perpetual peace with Texas. to occasional
wars, which SO often occur between bordering
independent nations B.? Is there one who would
not prefer free intercourse with her. to high du-
ties on all onr products and manufactures which
enter her ports cross her frontiers Is there
one who would not prefer an unrestricted com
munlcation with her citizens, TO the frontier oh.
structions which must occur if she remains ont
of the Union Whatever is good or evil in the
local institutions of Texas. will remain her own.
whether annexed to the United States OF not
None of the present States will be responsible
for them, any more than they are for the local
institutions of each other. They have confcder-
ated together for certain specified objects.
Upon the same principle that they would re-
fuse to form perpetual Union with Texas, be-
cause of her local institutions, our foreiathers
would have been prevented from forming our
present Union. Perceving no valid objection to
the measure, and many reasons for its adoption
vitality affecting the peace, the safety, and the
prosperity of both countries, shall, on the broad
princi pie which formed the basis and produced
the adoption Of our constitution, and not in any
narrow spirit of sectional policy, endeavor, by
all CONSTITUTIONAL honorable and appropriate
means, TO consummate the expressed will Of the
people and government OF the United States, by
the remuneration of Texas to our Union at the
earliest practicable period.
Nor will it become in less degree my duty
10 assert and maintain, by all constitutional
means, the right of the United States TO that DOR
ton of our territory which lies beyond the Rocky
Mountains Our title TO the country of the Ore
gon is "clear and unquestionable :" and already
are our people preparing TO perfect that title by
occupying il with their wives aud children. But
eighty years ago, our population confined on
the west by the ridge of the Aleghanies. With
in that period-within the lifetime, might saw.
OF some of my hearers-our people, increasing 10
many millions, have filled the eastern valley of
the Mississippi; adventurously ascended the
Missouri 10 its head springs and are already en-
gagged in establishing the blessings of self go
vernment in valleys, of which the rivers flow to
the Pacific.
The world beholds the peaceful triumphs OF
the industry of our emigrants. To us belongs
the duty of protecting them adequately where
ever they may be upon our soil. The jurisdiction
of our laws, and the benefits of our republican
institutions, should be extended over them in the
distant regions which they have selected for their
homes. The increasing facilities of inter Sc
will easily bring the States, of which the forma.
tlon in that part of our territory cannot be long
delayed, within the sphere of our federatve
Union. In the mean time every OBLIGATION i'm
| posed by treaty or conventional stipulations
should be sacredly respected.
! In the management of our foreign relations il
| VIII be my aim 10 observe a careful respect for
| the rights of other nations, while our own will
! be the subject of constant watchfulness Equal
and exact justice should characterize all our in.
/ tercourse with foreign countries. All alliances
J having tendency 10 leopard the welfare and
honor of our country, or sacrifice any one of the
national interests, will be studiously avoided
and yet no opportunity will be lost to cultivate a
! favorable understanding with foreign govern
ments, by which our navigation and conn cree
may be extended and the ample products of ouI
| fertile soil, as well as the manufactures OF ouT
skllliul artisans find a ready market and remune.
rating prices in foreign countries.
In taking care that the laws be faithfully eX'
ecnted,' strict performance of duty will be ex
acted from all public officers. From those off.
GERS, espec laly, who are charged with the colec
| tion and disbursement of the public revenue
will prompt aud rigid accountability be required
| Any culpabie failure delay on their part tc
account for the moneys nstrusted TO them, at the
times and in the manner required by law, will
in every instance, terminate the official connex
ion of such deiaulting officer with the govern
| ment.
Although, in our country, the chief magstrat,
must almost of necessity be chosen by party
and stand pledged to its principles and measures
yet, in his official action, he should not be IN,
President of n marty only hut of tho whole nao