Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-12-01
THE ENQUIRER.
RICHMOND, VA.
Monday Morning, November 80. ls4G.

II is tayorite game of the Wing press 10 be-
wall and denounce The increase Of our territory
because of The effect il would have in 'ceaaenang
our Coniederacy. This was The pretext upon
which the old Fsderalisls opposed the acquisition
of Louisiana, and upon which The modern Wings
based their fierce resistance 10 the annexation OF
Texas. Without going into philosophical ex-
animation of The subject, We will again merely
refer 10 The doctrine laid down by Monesquieu
in his Esprit of Laws" that Republican Con-
feScraeu like our own, will admi, Of immense
extension, without weakening the lies OF The union.
Without endorsing this opinion fully, (ior eve
ny theory can be forced 10 an absurd ength) Wa
are confidential the acquisition OF territory, al
ready consummated has had The effect oil uniting
the various sections of the country still more
closely. Who will say that Louisiana and Tex
as have moi strengthened This great Conlederacy
and u.to would surrender those valuab c States
Yet bitter opposition was made in both cases, bu!
il has now entirely died away Nor can we APP
nfehend that the acquisition Of Mexican terrific
~ sufhci nj 10 guarantee The expenses oil the war
and our heavy claims against Mexico, can exert
an injurious influence upon the prosperity, har-
mony and strength of our blessed Union.
We extract from the Philadelphia Ledger (neu-
,ral) an article, which we commend to The limo
rous spirits Of modern Whigsery:
CERTAIN OPINIONS cr CERTAIN SCHOOL,
The odd Federalis,s" of Massachusetts, who
s,renuously opposed The purchase OF Louisiana,
because extension would wenhon our conledera-
CIV, have transmitted their political doctrines 10
some portion of the present generation i'll The
same region We have often required 10 this
opposition, in contrast with the prophetic sa2aci-
" OF MIR. Jefferson in purchasing That region,
which will soon give us The command oi The Pa
cifc and have asked the oil these acisc fathers
for what they would srcede Louisiana including
Oregon, or without il 10 France. We now ask
Them 10 reflect upon the prophecies oil their niss
fathers, and their extraordinary accomplishment,
as elements for an opinion upon The present war
with Mexico.
The manufacturing interest of Boston, who
seem 10 have adopted The pulilical dogmas olthese
"Old Federalis,s," now oppose the war with
Mexico, and seem terrified al our acquisition OF
new territory from that nation. Andlhey repeal,
in his opposition, those arguments 0! their lc,se
o.+ :r>sn.s which lime and experience have go
li,..ra nautiy retuIed. Can they never learn thai
~ IN al ground ga med on this continent by
oil. ,f,;sdrIdcy binds II more frmiy together
.uiarees ,te field Tor their own navigation and
ma.u!.:;ures, and Iiminishes that for the navi
gallon and manufactures Of England2 When
will they cease 10 cut their own throais, as an
expedien, for saving their own lives? What
a market for American manufactures would
be presented by Mexico under onr govern
ment and our tariff And what a demand would
this market make upon The mills of Lowell
and The ships OF Boston, But in political
economy, these "wse men of the East" never
think for themselves, but always surrender that
important function TO their leaders. Mr. Web
ser an "old Fedcraisl" in the last war, will take
the partisan field against The present, and will pro-
baby offer, al the ensuing public dinner in This c
ty, his numerous and substantial reasons" Tor
forcing The government, by denial ofsupples into
surrendering ali projects Of conquest, inlo The
abandonment of New Mexico and California, and
into peace with Mexico upon the boundary OF The
Nueces. BY following similar counsels from the
same source, did MIR. WebseIs constituents OPP
pose the last war; when they nigh, have not only
captured Halifax, that fortress ever frowning up
on Boston, but have conquered and annexed the
whole British American colonies. As Louisiana
and Texas have been great auxiliaries 10 The
pockets Of these "wisc men Of the East, !" we adj
wise them TO "ook ere they leap" into faclious.
ignorant, suicidal opposition 10 the war win
Mexico. II they do, we trust that pennsylvania
will treat them as she did when they devised that
monument OF their political blindness The Hart
ford Convention