Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-06-05
British Interference.

The London Times of May I'd, in an editorial ar
tcle upon ''Oregon, Texas and England" utters the
following language. 1.-THE part taken by England
and France on this question, for we arc happy to find
that the most entire concurrence prevails between the
two great powers by which Texas was first recogniz-
ed in Europe, has been dictated by no such selfish or
exclusive objects. TO them individually, the annexa-
ton Of Texas offers no very formidable dangers, and
her Independence promises no very certain or consple-
uous advantages. But they are actuated by a sincere
desire to uphold in America that respect for territorial
rights which is the only sure basis of peace and in
maintaining the independence of Texas, they may
hope 10 establish an important element IN the distri-
button of power over North America. There, as
well as in Europe, an universal dominion is imprac-
ticable."
To this insolence the Philadelphia Ledger makes
the following appropriate reply:
Whether official or not. this language is very sig
niicant. If official, 1t Is an lnsolent interference
with our affairs, with our national independence,
which all who bear the honorable name of AMERICAN
are bound to resist to the utmost extremity. If not
official, it involves a principle against which every
American Is bound To protest, and against which eve
~ enlightened and patriotic American TiH protest.
1t is a declaration that, the European governments
must interfere with the affairs of this continent, and
regulate them as they do those of the old world. We
deny any such right, we protest against any such
practice, and we call upon the whole country to resist
the principle at the lannon's mouth, if resistance in
any other mode will not avail. ''Tney hope TO estab-
lish an important element in the distribution of pow
er over North America 90. They! And who are
they I! France and Britain. And what right, moral
or political, have they to interfere in our affairs, or
between US and our neighbors ! France neither owns
nor claims a foot of territory on the continent Of
North America. and therefore could have no more
right to interfere with any nation upon 1t who did not
m0lest her, than the highwayman to interfere with
the traveller.
Britain possesses colonies upon this continent, and
has the right Of a nation to defend them. But while
we do not molest them, she has no more right to quar-
rel with us about our relations with any other nation
on the continent, than she had to wage war against
China for refusing to be poisoned with her opium.
And what is this ''important element" which they
hope to establish on this continent That national
subdivision which has been, ever since the destruction
of the Roman empire, the curse of Europe which
has deluged it in blood for centuries, and which,
while it endures, will be an instrument Of dire OPP
preston to humanity. ''There, as well as in Europe,
an universal dominion is impracticable." Indeed /!
And what if it be impracticable That is exclusive
ly an American affair, with which Europe has no con-
Germ. Whether it be practicable or lmpractlcable Is
exclusively an American question and the expert
ment is exclusively an American right. If, on trial,
1t be found impractIcable, Europe has no right TO pro-
pose any substitute and if It be found practicable,
Europe has no right to offer an objection. We claim
no right to interfere with European questions; and
acknowledging the right of Europe to manage its own
dIdlTS, We Cldlmy diiu uSSCtAf luC SoAhG A45hb ia
America.
But we deny the impracticability of universal do
minion ON this continent, and affirm that nothing else
viii save us from the scourge Of Europe, subdivision
into contiguous nations. On this point we must meet
Europe on the threshold, and assert not only the prac-
t~icability but the necessity of universal dominion on
this continent, as the only instrument of enduring
peace, the only mode of avoiding the bloody strifes of
the old continent. We must assert this as an Ameri-
can principle, and be prepared to maintain IT with
the sword, if milder means are unavaillng. Why
cannot one nation, one people, occupy this continent (!
Why cannot the whole be bound together by unity of
language, political institutions and interests The
federal system of government can operate as efficient
liz upon the whole continent as upon the Old Thirteen
States; and the language of our. country can be the
property of a thousand millions, as well as of twenty
millions. And when the whole continent is united In
language and laws, from what source can flow diver
sity of interests ! From none. The Caucasian race
have solved one problem upon the old continent, the
impossibilIty Of lasting peace among contiguous ma
tons. They can and must solve another on the new
the impossibllity of war upon a continent under the
universal dominion founded on identity of language.
laws and interests.