Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1845-03-12

therefore, look OH the annexation of Tex
as 10 the United States, mol as the con:
quest Of a nation seeking TO extend her
dominion by arms and violence, but as
the peaceful acquisition ofa territory once
her own, by adding another member to
our confederation with the consent Of lha,
member-,hereby diminishing the chances
of ar. and opening to them new and ev-
er-increasing markets for their produces.
To Texas the reunion is important.
because the strong protecting arm of rur
Government would be extended over her
and The vast resources of her fertile soil
aud genial climate would lie speedily de-
vefoped; while the safety Of New Orleans
and our whole south western frontier
against hostile aggression as well as the
interests of The whole union would be pro-
noted byiI.
In the earlier stages of our national ex-
islence. the opinion prevailed with some.
that our system Of confe'lerated States
could moi operate successfully over all ex-
tended territory, and serious objections
have, at diferen, Times been made to the
enlargement of our boundaries. These
objections were earnestly urged when we
acquired Louisiana. Experience has
shown thai they were not well founded.
The title of numersus Indian tribes 10 vast
tracts of country has been extinguished.
New States have been admitted into The
Uniou. New Territories have been crea
led. and our jurisdiction and laws extended
over them. As our population has expan.
ded the Union has been cemented and
strengthened AS our boundaries have
been enlarged and our agricultural popu-
latinn has been spread over large surface
our federaiive system has acquired addi-
lional strength and security. 1t may well
be doubted whether it would helm greater
danger Of overthrow, if our present popu-
lation were confined to the narrow limits
ofthe original thirteen States, than il is now
that they are sparsely sellled over more
extended territory. 1t is confidently be-
icved thar our system may be safely ex
tended, The bonds ofour territorial limits,
and that, as it shall be extended, The bonds
Of our Union, so far from being weakened
will become slsonger.
None can fail TO see The danger of our
safety and future peace, if Texas remains
an independent State or becomes an ally
or dependency OF some foreign nation more
powerful than herself. Is there one among
our citizens who would moi prefer perpel-
ual peace with Texas, to occasional wars,
which SO often occur between bordering in
depeuden, nations? ls there one who
would mol prefer free intercourse with her,
TO high duties Oh all our products and man
ulactures which euler hcI ports or cross her
frontiers! Is there one who would not
prefer an unrestricted communication with
her citizens, 20 the frontier distractions
which must occur i she remains OUT of he
Union? Whatever is good or evil in The
local institutions of Texas, will remain her
own. whether annexed to the United SIales
or not. None ofthe present Slales will
be responsible for them. any more than
they are for local institutions of each other.
They have coufederated together for GER
tain specified objects. Upon the same.
principle that they would refuse 10 form a
perpetual union with Texas because of her
local institution our forefa,hers would have
been prevented from forming our present
Union! Perceiving no valid objection 10
the measure, aud many reasons for its
adoption vitality affecting the peace, The
safety and the prosperity Of both countries.
| shall, on The broad principle which for
med the. basis and produced the adoption
of our constitution. and mol 10 any narrow
spirit Of sectional policy. endeavor by all
constitutional, honorable, and appropriate
means, to consumate The expressed will Of
The people of the United States, by The
annexation of Texas to our Union at The
earliest practicable period.
Nor will it become 10 less degree my
duty to assert and maintain, by all consli-
lutional means The right Of The United
States To that portion -four territory which
lies beyond the Rocky mountains. Our
title 10 the country of the Oregon IS "clear
an unquestionable;' and already are our
people preparing to perfect that title by oc.
cupying 1t with their wives and children.
But eighty years ago, our population was
confined on the west by the ridge OF the
Alleghanies. Within that period-wi'hin
the lifetime, might say. of some ofmy
hearers-our people, increasing to many
MILLIONS, have filled the eastern valIy of
the Mississippi; advenIurously ascended
The Missouri TO ills head springs, and are
already engaged in establishing the bles-
sings of self government in valleys Of which
The rivers flow 10 the Pacific. The world
beholds the peaceful ,riumphs oflhe in.
dustry of our emigran!s. To US belongs
the duty of protecting them adequately
wherever they may lie upon our soil. The
of our laws, and the benefits
of our republican institutions; should be
ex,euded over them in the distant regions
which they have selected for their hom es:
The increasing faculties ofiulercourse will
easily bring the States. ofwhich the for
nation in that part of our territory cannot
be long delayed, within the sphere of our
federative UGiou. In the mean time, every
obligation imposed by treaty or convention
al slipulations should be sacredly respect
ed.
In the management Of our foreign rela-
lions. il will be my aim 10 observe care.