The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-08-30

ltal of Massachusetts built its wharves
and warehouses; and the commercial
intelligence OF Massachusetts, soon de-
manded for il lighthouses and break
waters; and the narrow-minded. short
lighted selfshness of South Carolina
denounced such projects as unconsll-
tutional and expensive
And now we have an exhibition OF
the same spirit, in the opposition of Mas
sachusetts to the annexation of Texas,
and in its alacrity to convert the acqul-
sition to prftable account. So soon as
the subject Enumeration was entertain
ed by the federal government, the lead
ing politicians Of Massachusetts sound
ed the tocsin of opposition, and their
followers, more especially the lner-
chants and manufacturers of Boston,
promptly rallied beneath their standard,
and threatened their own separtion
from the Union as the penalty of an
nexation. In vain were they told that
Texas would enlarge their markets,
and that annexation would save them
from foreign competition. In vain did
the advocates of the measure urge that,
if the British obtained Texas, CONNER
cialy or territorially, they would con-
vert it into Gibraltar, or smuggling
point for commanding the South and
West-a link in the chain to Oregon
for commanding the trade Of the Union
with the Pacific. TO all this they
were blind and deaf. But so soon as
annexation is near consummation, we
find the merchants and manufacturers
of Boston making extensive prepara-
tons for conducting the trade of Texas,
for supplying it with manufactures, and
purchasing its produce. Now, as IN
the davs of Jefferson and Madison, a
light suddenly flashes upon them, and
they see clearly what was once in
darkness impenetrable by their eyes.
We shall be told that "Yankee en-
.erprise and intelligence readily adapt
themselves to circumstances, extract
good from evil, steadily oppose the ap-
proach of evil, and strive to mitigate ii
when it is inevitable. We admit this
intelligence and enterprise, but affirm
that It never sees beforehand. We
admit this spirit Of adoption, but affirm
tha! is blind spirit, which cannot see
benefit in prospect, though well know
inc how to use it when seen. The
benefit of Louisiana and Florida to
Massachusetts was fated to float 10 its
shore upon the wave Of time, as well
before as after the merchants of Bos-
ton discovered their true policy. And
the benefit of Texan annexation was
rising to gid the horizon of Massachu-
setts with the sun that shone on San
Jacinto. But its people did not see
this light. TO their limited vision it
was darkness. 1t was then rising, ia
ted soon to become a MONDAY sun,
and the opening of their ewes has not
accelerated its march. They were
merely blind to what they now see
clearly. ...
But why did they not see 1t before?
Why are the people of Massachusetts
continually crying darkness!' darkness!
while the sun is staring them in the
face and as often waking as if from a
sound sleep, and clearly seeing what
is before them? 1t is because they are
led, or misled, by a few ambitious, self
seeking politicians, who kindly conde-
scend to think for them. They do not
think for themselves, and therefore sell
dom know what, they think. With
intelligence, enterprise, Courage, per-
severance, all the elements of a bold,
far-seeing original character, they are
more short-sighted, more inconsistent,
more dependent, more subject to delu-
sion, in anything involving political
philosophy, than any people in the
Union. We shall show this.