Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-03-25

Our reasons for this opinion briefly these
Our territory is already sufficiently extensive, and
if we were to gain more, instead OF strengthening,
it would decidedly weaken our country. We
should introduce large Of population into
confederacy, who strangers to our language,
laws, and our Institutions, and destitute of educa-
ton and of that spirit of freedom which is essen
tal to the proper discharge of the duties of Ameri
can citizens IL there We're no other obstacle, we
should regard this of itself sufficient prevent
the introduction of any of the Mexican provinces
into our Unon.
But suppose we We're to get the portion of Mexi-
co which Mr.. Polk wants, what is to be done with
it? How are we to dispose of the Slavery ques-
ton Are Southern weak and credulous
enough TO believe that the Northern States will adj
nit more slave States into the Union If they are
they must be blind to all the evidences of public O.
pnon, in almost every State north of Maryland
Upon that point there is no division of sentiment in
the North.-It swallows up every thing else
Wings and Democrats are alike unanimous and
decided in their determination to have no more
Slave territory added to the Union.
On the other hand, to accept it as territory in
which slavery is never to exist, would be equiva-
lent to destruction of the peculiar institutions of
the South. Here, then, is question upon which
there can be no compromise, for interest and princi-
pie and religious feeling all involved in it, and
every must see that whenever the country is
forced to the decision Of that ISSUE the Union must
be dissolved. This result is inevitable, and the
true question is, would we rather have the Union
without the territory the territory without the
Union
We feel justified then, from these considerations,
in saying that if we could conclude treaty to-
morrow, by which Mexico, under the pressure of
dire necessity, would surrender TO one-third OF
her territory, we ought not to accept it, for we
should thereby raise the fearful Slavery question,
which is more fraught with danger to the Union
than any other that has ever been suggested.
But we equally clear in the opinion that it is
idle to think that the be terminated in that
way. Independently Of the difficulty of wrestling those
provinces permanently from Mexico by force, there
can be no doubt that the Senate-the only power
which ratify treaty of peace--will never give
its assent 10 such treaty. 1t requires thirds
of the Senate to ratfy treaty. II the treaty pro-
vides that the territory is be free, the Southern
Senators will reject it if it is to be slave, the
Northern Senators will vote il down if it is 81
lent as to slavery, all will be against it, because it
will be worse than the wooden horse which was
introduced into the walls OF Troy. 1t will carry
within its body an insidious enemy in the shape of
the Slavery question, which must ultimately sun
der the bonds of Union between the States
We say then that it is folly TO think Of contnu-
ing war of conquest. Let the Government then
determine to take the Rio Grande as the line OF
Texas, according to the plan proposed by Gen
era Taylor, and subsequently so strongly approved
by Mr.. Calhoun and General Butler. Let it make
known its determination to Mexico to hold to that
line as the boundary of Texas, and require post
or two on the Pacific for the purposes OF commerce.
and let it solemnly and formally relinquish ali claim
to any other portion of the Mexican territory, now
and forever. Then let it withdraw our forces from
the Mexican territory, and post them on that line,
and we can hardly doubt that we would soon have
peace.
This would throw the burthen and expense of of
! fensive operations on Mexico We would closely
blockade all her ports and the mouths of her rivers
and she would be compelled transport her armies,
munitions Of war and supplies by land over coun-
try which is partly desert, and the residue thinly
Inhabited and destitute of the means of supporting
an army, and in the present exhausted State of her
treasury, she would find it utterly impossible to
bear the expense. Her people, too, would soon be-
come dissatisfied with going so far from their homes
to fight with an enemy superior to them in every
quality of soldier, and insist on peace or if peace
was not promptly made the war would soon de-
generate into border skirmshes. Let the
Government then pursue liberal policy towards
settlers along the line, granting to each of them
half sections Of land upon condition that they would
be armed occupants of it, and aid the regular troops
in repelling the attacks OF the enemy and YOU
would soon have band of hardy pioneers along the
line, who would be able, Of themselves, to hold the
country against any force that Mexico could bring
into the field The people Of Texas found no diff
Guilty in driving back Santa Anna and every other
General who was sent against them, and surely
Texas, with the aid OF the vast body of American
citizens who would flock to her borders, would be
able to do the thing. But to render ASST
rance doubly could have ten thousand men
stationed as army Of occupation along the line,
and the pioneers could furnish, at cheap rate the
means of supporting them.
We must acknowledge that the plans OF the Ad-
minstration and of Mr.. Benton seem to us to be G.
qually absurd. Suppose capture Vera Cruz
and storm the Castle of San Juan D'IJlloa. what
are we to gain by it? Nobody expects us TO hold
them permanently, and if we made the attempt the
Uonito would soon drive our troops away, or sweep
them by thousands from existence We might
I.;. al.