American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-03-05

this government has been given to the re-
union; and it only remains for the two coun-
tries 10 agree upon the termS,to conSummate
an object so important to both.
| regard the question of annexation as be-
longing exclusively to the United States and
Texas. They are independent powers, COM
peent to contract; and foreign nations have
no right 10 interfere with them, or to take
exceptions to their reunion. Foreign powers
do not seem to appreciate the true character
Of our government. Our Union is a conted-
Grafton of independent States, whose policy
is peace with each other and all the world.
To enlarge its limits, is to extend the domin.
ion of peace over additional territories and
increasing millions. The world has nothing
to fear from military ambition in our gov
eminent. While the chief magistrate and
the popular branch Of Congress are elected
for short terms by the suflraeeS of those mil
lions who must, in their own persons, bear
all the burdens and miSeleS 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 a nation seeking to
extend her dominions by arms and violence,
but as the peaceful acquisition of territory
once her own, by adding another member to
our confederation, with the consent Of that
mcmber-thereby diminishing the chances of
war, and opening TO them new and ever-in-
crcasing markets for their products.
To Texas, the reunion is important, be-
cause the strong protecting arm of our gov
eminent would be extended over her. and
the vast resources Of her fertile soil and ge-
a. al h, Il.
while the safety of New Orleans and of our
whole southwestern frontier against hostile
aggression, as well as the interests of the
whole Union, would be promoted by it.
In the earlier stages Of our national exist
ence, the opinion prevailed with some, that our
system of coniederated States could not operate
successfully over an extended territory, and Sc
rious objections 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 coun-
try has been extinguished New States have
been admitted into the Union. New Terrific
RES have been created, and our jurisdiction and
laws extended over them. AS our population
has expanded the Union has been cemented
and strengthened. AS our boundaries have
been enlarged, and our agricultural population
has been spread over a large surface, our fedc-
rative system has acquired additional strength
and security. 1t may we'll be doubted whether
it would not be in greater danger of overthrow,
if our present population were confined to the
comparatively narrow limits of the original
thirteen States, than it is, now that they are
sparsely settled over more expanded territory.
Ia holi tl,.t ,cfo
be safely extended to the utmost bounds of cur
territorial limits; and that, as it shall be extend
ed, the bonds of our Union, so far from being
weakened, will become stronger.
None can fail to see the danger to our safety
and future peace, if Texas remains an ndepen-
dent State, or becomes an ally or dependency
OF some foreign nation more powerful than her
SELF Is there one among our citizens who
would not prefer perpetual peace with Texas,
to occasional wars, which SO often occur be-
tween bordering independent nations Is there
one who would not prefer free intercourse with
her, to high duties on all our products and
manufactures which enter her ports cross
her frontiers Is there one who would not
prefer an unrestricted communication with her
citizens, to the frontier distractions which
must occur if she remains out of the Union p
Whatever is good or evil in the local institu
tons of Texas, will remain her own, whether
annexed to the United States or not. None of
the present States will be responsible for them,
any more than they are for the local institu-
tons of each other. They have coniederated
together for certain specified objects. Upon the
same principle that they would refuse to form
perpetual union with Texas because of her
local institutions, our foreiathers would have
been prevented from forming our present IN
ion. Perceiving no valid objection to the mea-
f,,, Il
ly affecting the peace, the safety, and the pros
perity of both countries, | shall, ON the broad
principle which formed the basis and produced
the adoption of our constitution, and not in any
narrow spirit OF sectional policy, endeavor, by
all constitutional, honorable, and appropriate
means, to consummate the expressed will of
the people and government of the United States,
by the remuneration of Texas to our Union at
the earliest practicable period.
Nor will 1T become in less degree my duty
to assert and maintain, by all constitutional
means, the right of the United States to that
portion of our territory which lies beyond the
Rocky mountains. Our title to the country of
Oregon is ''clear and unquestionabe," and al
ready are our people preparing to perfect that
title, by occupying it with their wives and
children. But eighty years ago, our popula-
ton was confined on the west by the ridge of
the Alleghanies. Within that period-within
the lifetime, | might say, of some of my hear
ers-our people, increasing to many millions,
have filled the eastern valley of the Mississp-
pi; adventurously assembled the Missouri to its
head springs; and are already engaged in es.
tablishing the blessings of selfgovernment in
valleys, of which the rivers flow to the Pacific
The world beholds the peaceful triumphs of
the industry of our emigrants. To us belongs
the duty of protecting them, adequately, wher-
ever they may be upon our soil. The jurisdic j..
ton of our laws, and the benefits Of our repub-
lican institutions, should be extended over them
in the distant regions which they have selected
for their homes. The increasing facilities Of
intercourse, will easily bring the States, of
which the formation in that part of our terri
tory cannot be long delayed, within the sphere
of our iederative Union. In the mean time,
every obligation imposed by treaty or conven-
tional stpulations shosld be sacredly respected.
In the management of our foreign relations.
il will be my aim to observe a careEul rn.nect