Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-02-06

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mans desire for the increase OF his possessions.
In more civilized days has the result been chang
edo Russia with one foot on Poland, another on
Circassia stretches oul her eager hand for CoDslan
tnople; Prussia, aggrandiZed by her share in the
same unjust partition, is endeavorns, BY a com
mcrcial league, to procure still farther increase
of her territory; the arest part OF Italy, groaning
in the fetiers of Austrian despolism, and even
France, seizing upon any little post from which
the growl of the British lion docs not deter her.
But when We look at Great Britain what sea
does not contain her islands what continent
holds no people who acknowledge her suprena-
cy Is she satisfied? Far from il. In Asia,
India already conquered, she grasps al the an
cent empire of the Chinese; here, with Canada
in her possession, she clutches at Oregon. and BY
acquiring controlling influence in Texas. seeks
TO bind, by Gordon OF her territories or depen-
denotes, the enterprise and energies u The Ancr-
can people. All these Things are attempted TO be
justified by the necessity OF The case Without
going into the argument as to how far such ne
cessies afford ground of defence, we may a, once
relntc the accusation against the friends Of Texas
by referring 10 the fact, that annexation is fair
bargain between two parties made in the face Of
the world, without force and threa, upon one side
or weakness and fear upon the other.
That our treaty with Mexico is a bar TO The ac-
QUESTION of Texas is equally untrue:such SUPPOSE
ton being at war, not only with the plain dictates
Of reason, but with all national law aud precedent
To admit it, would be 10 declare, that when trea-
Is OF peace and amity is made between two ma
lions, the action Of one towards third parties
should be, al will, controlled BY The other, con-
slruclun TOO idle 10 need comment
Some of The opponents OF Texas argue, that
the Constitution OF the United Safes gives no
authority for the admission Of nev States out Of
our own territories This idea is not only con-
radictcd by the evident meaning, and plain Ian
guage of the Constitution, but The crcumsian-
ces attending lis passage in the Convention,
the narrative, of which, ends viii the follow
ing sentence: "These proceedings show, that
the proposition to restrict the power 10 admit
new States To the territory within tie original IL
mils OF the United States. was distinctly before
the Convention, once adopted byii, and finally
rejected in favor of a clause makinslhe power in
this respect general The distinction attempted
10 be drawn between new STATS ani tc,riiorias is
even more futile than others which have been
urged involving its sagacous inventors in the
absurdy of denying that The greater contains the
smaller power construction unknown 10 all
law, either national or municipal
In answer 10 the objection, that We have terri
Tory enough, and that Texas would be an incum-
brance, we beg leave 10 point out briefly some Of
the reasons for rejecting such an opinion
Ii is unnecessary 10 dwell on III, manifest
advantage, in commercial point of view, which
must flow from The annexation Of Texas. The
increased market for our manufactures, and in
creased tonnage, are apparent 10 all-and the
injuries which might he inflicted on our trade, in
placing the Cult OF Mexico, and the command
OF the mouth Of the Mississippi in The bands Of
foreign, and perhaps hostile nation. are equally
obvious. But there is one point ofvicw il which
this subject may be considered, which demands
the serious consideration OF the whole Union
The extension OF commerce, the vast improve
lnenls in The mechanic arts, and the various arti-
fetal wants, multiplied beyond any parallel, by
the high slate OF civilization in which we live,
have made il necessary that nations should look
beyond their own borders, and extend their sys-
TENS of policy beyond their own limits. The
manufacturing nations OF Europe have great
portion of their population engaged in preparing
the materials produced b. agriculture for con-
sumption, and their own agricultural products
not being sufficient, they are forced BY the neces-
sty Of furnishing subsistence 10 their innumer-
able operatives, 10 rely on commerce 10 furnish
the necessary supplies. When the numbers
which are required 10 prepare the rnde materials
of the earth for mans consumption arc consider
cd, and when We reflect that, in majority Of in
stances. this dense and crowded population OF ma
which they can Subsist, We cannot over estimate
The powe: and consequence which any nation
must enjoy, which is so fortunate as 10 be able
10 monopoliZe the production OF any one OF The
great staples of commerce. This the people Of the
United States have been able 10 do, 10 great ex-
tent, in the growth and culture OF the most impor-
tant article OF modern traffck-one whose i'm
porance has increased The last quarter Of a cen
mry with rapidly, which is cqualled only by
the' rapid Improvements that have been made
in the arts and sciences in the present age. TO
this facl, we are indebted for the power and the
influence which We now enjoy among The nations
Of the earth. In the last war, the importance Of
American commerce 10 the labor and capital of
Great Britain manifested itself in ciicctns what
our Army and Navy, gallant as were their cf-
forts, could not effect Great Britain with all
her naval armament, was forced, by the wounds
inflicted on herself in the loss of American com
mcrce, 10 encourage our trade in neutral vessels,
and 10 make that contest less destructive than her
feelings prompted. Since that time, she has
made constant endeayors 10 destroy her DEEPEN
dence on the U. States; first BY an attempt TO sup
ply her manufactures from her own dofnInions
10 great exten-and failing in that, she has used
every cxertion 10 destroy that peculiar labor, by
the use OF which We are secure from all compe-
tilon. The permanent separation ofTcxas from
the U. States again raises hope of success, and
the eagerness with which England has sought 10
avail hersefofit, shows her appreciation olls i'm
porlance, in extending her power and securing
her policy She knows full well that il Texas
is annexed TO the U. States. we have almosta COM
plete monopoly in the production Of the most
important article Of trade, without which, mil
lions of her people are deprived of employ
ment and her Government would he at The mer-
cy of popular fury. This will render her
for ever unable to engage IN any war up
on our comnerce-the most harasslng ana de-
structive of all species OF waIiare-whist IN
such an emergency every other manufacturing
nation would be our natural ally. This would
afford us security which no treaty OF peace could
piyeus-which the whole revenues oiour Govern
ment conld not win for Us, il expended in The
construction OF naval armamenis. The annual
contention about the pittance which is voted Tor
our naval defenceS, must convince every one,
that we cannot support navy adequate 10 our
wants and The annexation OF Texas affords rs
an opportunity 10 acquire By negotiation posi-
ton which we might never be able 10 win by
force. =,
The course which many of the non-slavchold-
ing States have thought proper TO pursue, WIN
regard TO the annexation OF Texas, IS utterly al
war with the spirit in which our tcderai COM
pact was conceived; and mnSl destroy, IL persist
ed in all future benefit from its adoption, by rem
derinr lis administration impraclicable. The |
Union is composed of separate and independent
STATES. with various, and in many instances dis
tine, interests, and the purposes Of the Union are,
that those interests might be made more prospe,
rous. and rendered more secure. This is The end
far which the compac, was formed-ihe object 10 !
be attained BY inslluling the Federal Government
10 acl in certain speced instances, as an agent on
behalf Of all the States. Any legislative action,
therefore based upon any principle other than that
promoting and protecting those II 1e ERE Is an
Government, or an abuse oflhe powers granted by
The Constitution, alike destructive of good faith
and IF the Government which is founded on the
justice and integrity Of the different States Sta sns,
The object of the compromises OF ih re- Cons;l,"
States, and their interests, in the national coun-
ellis lbal the end for which the Federal Govern
ment was Instituted might be attained. BY render
ins each interest secure from, injustice and op-
.,.ta, Il Il ~, MN mr.