Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1845-03-15

eminent would be extended over her, and
the vast resources Of her fertile soil and ge-
aiaisclimate,, would be speedily deveoped;
while the safety OF New Orlean, and of our
whole southwestern frontier against hos
tile aggression, as well as the interests Of
the whole union, would be promoted by il.
IA the earlier stages Of our national exista
ence, the opinion prevailed with some, that
our system Of coniederated states could moi
operate successfully, over an extended ter
rtory; and serious objections havspat dii
ferent times, been made to the enlargement
Of our boundaries. These objections were
earnestly urged when we acquired. louisa
na. Experience has shown that they were
not well founded. The title Of numerous
Indian tribes to vast tracks of country has
been extinguished; new states have been
admitted into the union; new territories
have been created, and our jurisdiction and
laws extended over them. As our popula.
ton has expanded, tho union has been ce.
mented and strengthened; as our bounda-
res have been enlarged, and our agricultu-
raj population has spread over a large sur
face, our federative system has acquired ad-
ditonal strength and security. 1t may well
he doubted whether il would not be in grea
ter danger OF overthrow # our present pop
ulaton were confined TO the comparatively
narrow limits OF the original thirteen states,
than it is, now that they are sparseIy set
tied over more expanded territory. 1T is
confidently believed that our system may
be 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 strong
err.
None can fail TO see the danger TO our
safely 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 not prefer perpct-
ual peace with Texas, TO occasional wars,
which so often occur between bordering
independent nations? Is there one who
would not prefer free intercourse with her,
to all duties on all our products and manu-
features which enter her ports or cross her
frontiers? Is there one who would not pre-
fer an unrestricted communication with her
citizens, to the frontier distractions which
must occur, il she remains out Of the union?
Whatever is good or evil in the local insti-
tutions Of Texas, will remain her own, whe-
Their annexed to the United States or not.
None OF the present states will be respon.
sible for them, any more than they are for
the local institutions Of each other. They
have contederated together for certain spe.
Gifted objects.
Upon the same principl that they would
refuse to form perpetual union with Tex
as, because of her local institutions, our
forefathers would have been prevented from
forming our present union. Perceiving no
valid objection to the measure, and many
reasons for its adoption, vitality affecting
the peace, the safety, and tho prosperity
of both countries, | shall, on the broad prn.
ciple which formed the basis and produced
the adoption Of our constitution, and moi in
any narrow spirit Of sectional policy, en-
deavor, by all constitutional, honorable, and
appropriate means, to consummate the ex-
pressed will OF the people 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 to assert and MAINTAIN, by all consti-
tutional means, the right of the United
States to that portion of our territory which
lies beyond the Rocky mountains. Our ii
tie to the country of the Oregon is L" clear
and unobjectonable; and already are our
people preparing to perfect that title, by
it with their wives and children.
But eighty years ago, our population was
confined on the west by the ridge Of the
Within that period--within
the lifetime, might say, of some of our
hearers-our people, increasing to many
have filled the eastern valley of the
adventurously ascending the
Missouri 10 its head springs, and are alrea-
1y engaged in establishing the blessings of
in valleys, of which the
rivers flow to the Pacific. The world be-
holds the peaceful triumph OF the industry
IF our emigrants. To US belongs the duty
IF protecting them, adequately, wherever
hey may be upon our soil. The jurisdic-
ion of our laws, and the benefits of our re-
publican institutions, should be extended
over them in the dlstant.regions which they |
AVE selected for their homes. The increa-
ing facilities of intercourse will easily bring
he states, Of which the formation in that
,art f'our'territory cannot be long delay
ID, within the sphere OF our federative
lnion. In the mean time. every obligation
imposed by treaty or conventional slpula.
ions, should be sacredly respected.
In the management of our foreign rela-
ions, it will be my aim to observe careful
aspect for the rights of other nations,
While our own will be the subject Of con,
tant watchfulness. Equal and exact JUS
ice should characterize all our intercourse
With foreign countries. All alliances hav-
ng tendency to leopard the welfare and