The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-05-20
[From London Times Of May 81


now going on in the Republic OF Texas betw cen the
American party which seeks TO be absorbed in the
Federal union OF the AmercanStates, and the national
Texan party, which uphodsthe independent interests
OF the new state matters of the deepest interest,
not only TO the annexation question of the present
day, but to the future destnes OF the continent OF
North America. If Texas at once filings away her
national existence and makes herself subservlen to
the policy OF the United States is highly lmproba
bic that any other state will attain independ-
ence IN the southern regions Of North America and
the progress OF the domlnlons OF the Cabinet OF
ashngton Will be as rapid as the decay OF its de-
fenceless and ungoverned southern neighbors More
than twenty years have elapsed since Mexico threw
OIL her allegiance to Spain, and during the whole of
that period the decline Of the nation has been ncon-
eeivably great and rapid The result is now pitia-
be defenecess as it was in the days Of Montezu-
ma. Another Cortez might march with few hum
bred men upon the capital; and as for the northern
and western Provinces more especially the magnlfi
cent territory OF California, since tire sequestratiOn
of the missions and presidos, they are without even
the semblance OF government. The whole white
popolutfon of California is hardly more than 5000,
scattered over 1000 square leagues of terrltory the
Mexican administration does not even communicate
with the province and to conquer the whole of it
would not be more difficult than to take possession
OF desert island. In these thnly-peopled regions
the inhabitants are manifestly unable to defend their
terrlto1al rights and when they have lost the pro-
lection of great power, whose policy Is jealous of
all encroachments on the future interests OF Its sub
Jects, they tall an easy prey to sort OF retail nva
sion, until the sovereignty of the country is flched
away before an effort has been made to challenge
the assailant.
The eager, gain-seeking, and rowing population of
the western States of the Union are fitted beyond
all the rest of mankind to carry this kind of
cuckoo steals nest and if their irregular enter
prses be allowed to carry with them all the political
consequences Of lawful war, it is evident that at
very distant period they will have made themselves
of .,rL II Al 400
continent not defended by the forces and the
resolution Of Great Britain. But the conduct of Tex
as in the present emergency will determine whether
these political consequences are to be realized. 1t
posed measure of annexation by the people and Go
vernment of Texas whether every fresh step Of the
American race is to add citizens and lands to
the Union; or whether the new States which may
be formed In the course OF time either shore OF
that vast continent may not uphold an independent
flag, independent interests, and an independent
policy.
When we take into consideration the position of
Texas, the decline of Mexico, and the future condi-
ton of the Incorporated ands rivers, and regions
lying between the coast Of Upper California on the
Pacific Ocean and the Rio del Norte, it is impos-
sible to doubt that such country ought to possess
an original character and an independent existence.
Its annexation to the United States, if that measure
be consummated at the present time, would only
lead the more surely to the eventful disruption OF
that wide and imperfectly-united confederacy, and
interests OF the whole continent But Texas inde-
pendent is peculiarly qualified to interpose las il were
the keystone of an arch between the United States
and Mexico, on the one hand, and between the ma
rltlme interests OF European and OF American ma
tons on the other. These views so clear and
evident that they will probably have decisive in
1uence on the Executive Government of Texas, pro-
vided the Mexicans can be brought to recognise IN
a liberal spirit an arrangement which Is the sole
guarantee of their national existence. Nor can we
believe that this policy will be defeated by the popu-
lar emissaries of the United States in Texas, who
are avowedly engaged In promoting the work OF an,
nexation solely with reference to the interests OF
their own party in the United States and to the cause
of slavery with which that party is identified.
The part taken by England and France IN this
queston-for are happy to find that the most EN-
tire concurrence prevails between the two great pow
ers by which Texas was first recognised in Eurape
has been dictated by no such selfish or exclusive
objects. To them individually the annexation. OF
Texas offers no very formidable dangers, and her
independence promises no very certain or conspcu-
GUS advantages. But they are acuated by sincere
desire to uphold in America that respect for terrific.
rial rights which is the only sure basis of peace and
in maintaining the independence of Texas, they may
hope to establish important element in the dstr-
button OF power over north America. There, as
well as in Europe, an universal dominion is imprac-
tcabc.
If, however. the annexation party be successful,
and the patriotic intentions of the President de-
feated by the foreign party in the commonwealth OF
Texas, that result only opens the door to fresh diff
cultles OF the most serious character. The claim OF
the United States to Texas is claim studiously un-
defined, and purposely obscure but once admitted
it would be found to embrace the distant objects OF
American ambition, even the shores OF the Pacl-
fic. Already several attempts have been made by
the ministers and officers Of the United States to OBJ
tain the cesslon OF the great harbors on the coast OF
California. In 1895, Mr.. Forsyth offered to the
Mexican government five millions of dollars for the
port Of San Francisco-one OF the finest naval posi-
lions in the world and few days later an Amen-
tad
rumor of war with Mexico, the town and harbor of
Monterey.
The time is now rapidly approaching when the
western coast of North America-hitherto the least
peopled the lenst productive and the least frequent
ed portion Of the globe--wlll become the scene OF
great political interests, and will gradually be ami
mated with the stir of nations and the activity OF So
cial life The United States are seeking to subject
these future races and States their dominion, and
without army, any Of the ordinary instruments
of conquest to extend their sovereignty over nations
yet unborn. The scheme for the annexation of
Texas is the most decided step they have made In
this direction but that is only the prelude to their
Interior designs The claim to the exclusive pos
session of the Oregon territory another indication
of the policy it will be followed by an attack,
either by force or by fraud, on California. On all
these points the unlimited spirit of aggrandlze
ment prevails For the protection OF the British do
minions in North America ample means exist and,
indeed the possession Of the Oregon territory by the
Hudson's Bay Company, under the joint conditions
on the point. But in provinces in which no Euro
pean power has any direct concern, the only check
to the rapacous encroachmens of the United States
will be found to consist in the establishment of
ther energetic and independent power to share the
dominion of North America, and such power we
still hope Texas may become.
PARLIAMENTARY THE last fortnight has been
almost exclusively occupied with the .ques-
ton Of Maynooth-the great question of the
day. The public mind is still fementing,
and will continue to do so long after the
statute book has recorded the enactment of the
sure. All doubt about its parliamentary success
was set at rest by the Unexpectedly large majority
which passed the second readng-l7 and
although its jealous opponents have since
shown fight in the House Of Commons by another
debate, and another division on the bringing up Of
the report yet the last was battle more marked by
parade than earnestness, and the foreground was
occupied by number of small men who must say
to justify their inconsistency The same
thing will take place on the third reading; and al
though we hear, in the outdoor meetings of the
lots that at least dozen members are to die on the
floor of the House TO prevent its passing, yet this