Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1845-03-13

shall be needed for the support of their govern
ment, whether in peace or in War, if they are so
levied tn distribute the burdens as equally az
possible among them
The republic of Texas has made known her de-
sire to come into our Union, to form part Of our
confederacy, and enjoy with us the blessings of
liberty, secured and guaranteed BY our consu-
tion. Texas was once part of our country--was
unwisely ceded away to foreign power-s now
Independent, and possesses an undoubted right to
dispose of part the whole of her territory, and
to merge her sovereignty, a separate and inde-
pendent State, in ours. congratulate nv conn
try that, by an act of the late Congress OF the Uni
ted States, the assent of this government has been
given to the reunion; and 1t only remains for the
two countries to agree upon the terms, 10 consun-
mats an object so important to both.
| regard the question of annexation as belong
ing exclusively to the United States and Texas.
They are independent powers, competent to con-
tract; and foreign nations have no right to inter-
fere with them, or to take exceptions to their re-
union. Foreign powers do not seem to appreci-
ate the true character Of our government
Our Union is confederation Of independent
States, whose policy is peace with each other and
all the world. To enlarge its limits is TO extend
the dominion of peace over additional territories
and increasing millions The world has nothing
to fear from military ambition in our Government
While the Chief Magistrate and the popular
branch of Congress are elected for short terms by
the sufrages of those millions who must, in their
own persons, bear all the burdens and miseries of
war, our government cannot be otherwise than
pacific.
Foreign powers should, therefore, look on the
annexation of Texas to the United States, not as
the conquest of nation seeking to extend her DO
mnons by arms and violence, but as the peaceful
acquisition of territory once her own, by adding
another member to our confederation with the con-
sent of that member--thereby diminishing the
chances of war, and opening to them and
eyer-increasing markets for their products.
To Texas the reunion is important, because the
strong protecting arm of our government would
be extended over her, and The vast resources of
her fertile soil and genial climate would be speed
lily developed; while the safety of New Orleans
and of our whole southwestern frontier against
hostile aggression, as well the interests of the
whole Union, would be promoted by it.
In the earlier stages of our national existence,
the opinion prevailed with some, that our system
of confederated States could not operate success
fully over an extended territory, and serious OBJ
jections have, at different times, been made to the
enlargement of our boundaries. These objections
were earnestly urged when we acquired 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 created, and our juris-
diction and laws extended over them. As our
boundaries have been enlarged, and our agricultu-
raj population has been spread over large sur
face our federative system has acquired addition
al strength and security. 1t may well be doubted
whether it would not be in greater danger of over
throw, if our present population confined to
the comparative narrow limits of the original hir-
teen States than it is, that they are sparsely
settled over more expanded territory. 1t is
fidently believed that our system may 6e safely
extended to the utmost bounds of our territorial
limits and that, as it shall be extended the bonds
of our Union, so far from being weakened, will
become stronger.
None can fail to see the danger 10 our safety
and future peace, if Texas remains an indepen-
den, State, or becomes an ally or dependency
of some foreign nation more powerful than her.
self. Is there one among our citizens who
would no, prefer perpetual peace with Texas.
10 occasional wars, which SO often occur be-
tween bordering Independent. naonsl Is,here
one Who would not prefer free intercourse
with her. to high duties on all our products aud
manufactures which enter her ports or cross
her ffonliers. Islhere one who would no, pre-
fer an unrestricted communication with her cit
izens, to the frontier distractions which must
occur if she remains out Of the Union ! What
ever is good or evil in the local institutions Of
Texas. will remain her own, whether annexed
to the United States or mol. None Of The PIES
ent States will be responsible for them, any
more than they are for the local institutions OF
each other They have confederated together
Tor certain specified objects. Upon the same
principle ,ha, they would refuse 10 form per.