The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-08-14
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
SATURDAY NIGHT, AUGUST IA, ls47.
The Territorial Qacstion.-The Federal Issue ten


1t is remarkable that the federal party under whatever
may be rayng for the time, has always steadily
opposed the acquisition of territory by the United
States In Mr.. JeIersons time, it opposed with bitter
ness the ACQUISITION of Louisiana In MIR. Monroes
time, though then having hardly force enough to form
party federalism was reconciled TO the acquisition OF
Florida only by the fact that the same treaty gave away
the far extensive territory oil Texas. Whin the
last few years have the same party raylns al
most to man, to defeat the remuneration OF Texas and
to parayze the present administration In its endeavo TO
hold our in Oregon The movements OF the wings
in the last Congressthe spirit of the resolutions on the
subject of new territory and OF the prosecution OF the war;
moved by Mr. Schenck in the House of Representatives,
and by Mr. Berrien in the Senaeand the whole current
of wing oatoy in support oil the views thus presented
and in depreciation OF the because OF IFS anticipated
result in the acquisition OF territorial indemnity from
Mexico for the long series of robbeues perpetrated
against by that governmental these demonstrations
of party feeling have left little doubt that federalism is
still true its old party instincts, and still resolved to
rally against the extension Of our federal constitution
over any new lands. We not surprised therefore,
to see in so influential wing journal as the Boston At
las strong appeal to the entire wing party OF the Union
to plant itself at and impregnaby upon this party
platform Of "ao more territory" The "Atlas" the more
strenuousy presses this issue upon its party main
point in their next canvass, being point upon which
a the wings in the country, from Maine to Texas, can
readily and cordially unite" II is, in fact in the udg-
ment of the "Aas," direct and necessary inference
from the cardinal principles Of the wing creed that we
must take no territory from Mexico under any crcum
stances whatever--and especially not by the treaty
which shall terminate the existing war.
We have noted from time to time the direct tendency OF
the heretofore pursued by the Opposition TO pro-
tract the which has been forced upon govern
ment This territorial issue, upon which, it
seems, call the wings in the country readily unite "
must of necessity il sustained by the people, polong the
until the country and its government can be brought
to consent to peace with Mexico, 1hoM indemnity "a
peace that is, which shall place nation in position
of defeat and dshonor since is not pretended that in
demnity from Mexico reasonably be looked for in
her present circumstances, only in the form OF terri
tory In fact this party position of the wings mpera-
lively calls upon the Senate to reject any treaty of peace
which shall cede to us any portion of California Among
all the federal efforts to fasen continuance of the
upon the country, surely none has been before de-
vised excellent as this. 1t works to such result
both ways. 1t presents the strongest inducement to
Mexico refuse all fair terms of peace and it offers to
our country only path by which to escape from
the warand that is the path OF national discontinue and
disgrace. In such state of things, if the wings can
only carry their point, it is indeed impossible see
how the compatbly with the rights and honor
OF the country, be brought to close.
Mancsty enough, the Boston journal, in urging this
no more territory determination upon its friends looks
rally the wings Of the NORTH sectional feeling agains,
| III nf
heretofore exposed the utter absdty of the idea that
the advantages of such acquisition would be in any
sense sectional, confined to any single portion of our
conederacy Certainly they would not be confined to the
south. So far from this, ii is undoubtedly true and ss-
ceptbe OF demonstration that the first harvest OF bene-
fits from such extension of territorial limits would
De reapcd by the merchants the navgators the manuac
turers, and the artisans of the north. To whom could
the acquisition Of the Pacific harbors of California for in
stance be more intellectually valuable than to the great
navigating and whaling interests OF New England The
magnificent vista OF commercial operation and aggran-
dzement opened by the possession of the seaboard Of
Caiorniato whose benefit does enure in larger meas
ure than to the northern and northeastern portions OF the
Union? Who, than the inhabitants of these sections
interested in the acquisition of the right of way
through the sthmus from the Atlantic to the Pacifcs The
construction of such passage is indeed judgment,
wholly beyond the powers of the federal government
But the right Of icay acquired, who can doubt that
the individual and associated enterprise and opuence of
the north would at take measures give it effect
1t is than olly is plain absurdity-to attempt to
rally party in this country against the acquisition of this
territorial indemnity from Mexico, on the ground that its
benefits would be exclusive peculiar to the SOUTH
But strongly the instincts of federalism have ever
been and are set against the spread of our free in
stituons into new regions, incline to believe that
party journals like the Atlas would hardly venture to
raise the ''aomoretand cry did they not count upon
the Wilmotprovlso agitation to assist them in forcing
their issue upon the acceptance of the people In this
as we think they reckon las usual with hem without
their host Every day strengthens our conviction that
this delicate and momentous question will ere long be
met In patriotic spirit of Cancellation and compromise
and VIII ind solution in harmony with the rights of all
parts OF our conederacy and in unison with the spirit of
orr constitution and the precedents of legislation in
similar case already established under its provisions
The antagonisc powers in the WiImotproviso contro
vesy are too vast and too permanent and the practical
result OF the question in reference to the small portion of
California to which it is applicable, is too small and too
contingent to permit any strong doubt our minds that
the patriotism of people, and especially of the great
democratic party, will adjust it in a spirit of equitable
al Al.