The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1847-09-14
THE QUESTION OF MORE TERRITORY

American of yesterday, very extensively dis
cussed in the newspapers aud the main con.
sideration, on the part Of those who object to
further territorial Acquisitions, seems 10 resolve
itself into desire to avert the issue presented
by the Wimot Proviso.
We here leave out Of view, as not connected
necessarily with the subject, all questions as
granted that no violence nor injustice is con.
emplated but that an acceptable and an am
pie equivalent is to be preferred for any new
region that may be added 10 our domaus.
The question, then, is concentrated into enc
Of geographical afiailies, aud Of national in
terests pnd national unity
Excluding all ideas Of violence and injustice,
as against other nations. the subject also ex-
cludes all ideas OF mere aggrandlzement on
our part, springng from luel Of dominion or
passion for conquest.
A philosopher Of no mean note has declared
that with the geography of country given
him he will deduce the general features Of its
character and civilization. This is d general
lied expression TO be understood according 10
It's spirt--,in which view it has a great deal oi
meaning. In like manner, military men who
study the natural features Of a country, in the
way OF their profession, come to ascribe 10 the
facts Of geography an importance, which, to
less observsnt persons, might seem exsggeral-
ed the possession Of "A particular pont, or
series Of points, with other relations of depea.
dence or affinity so controlling in their influence
as to determine the momenlous question Of
policy and genera'ship.
1t is 10 geography, then, that we are to look,
mainly, in order to determine the extent Of our
territory and to fix its boundaries.
In this view we find one central fact which
gives shape and color TO all other facts pertain
ing to the matter. The characteristic feature
of our country is the Mississippi Valley-a
grand characteristic. To this great valley all
other parts Of our country are adjunct, appur-
tenanl-dependen merely. This magnificent
valley, a uni, in itself aud pledge OF unity to
all the elements it embraces, must draw itself
and bring within its sphere such territories as
are really dependant on il. Thus with regard
to California the advocates Of the acquisition
pendency of the Mississippi Valley as Oregon
is, or as our own strip of territory between the
| Alleghanies and the Atlantic.
Tie Mississippi river, indeed, draining the
great Valley, disembogues into the Gulf Of
Mexico and has New Orleans as an emporium
Of its commerce. But it also stretches out its
arms, east and west, 10 lay hold Of both Oceans.
The vast a'luvial region, the garden of the CT.
vized world, extending from the Alleghanes
to the Rocky Mountains and forming the heart
of tue North American Continent, is to be,
and that before many generations shall have
passed, the centre of the worlds commerce,
and its most prolific source. II mus, have &C
cess 10 the sea coast OH both shores, and along
, its whole extent, communicating freely with
the Atlantic sea board, which we already pos,
sess, entire, and with the Pacific which we
must possess, entire. We conld not permit a
foreign power to occupy on this side of the Ale
and the Atlantic Neither can we permit any
foreign power to hold between the Rocky
Mountains and the Pacific, interccpting our
communications with that coast.
7 Besides, it is clear that California must have
its connection with the Mississippi Valley. 1t
will have them by two routes: the upper route,
by Fremont's Pass, communicates with the
head waters Of the Platte and the Missouri;
the lower route, by Ell Paso, reaches the wa
tiers of the Rio Grande Without these con-
nectons California would be insulated. Con
fined to her own resources, which are not be-
lieved to he great, she would maintain only an
insignificant existence; her fine harbors with.
out the materials of Commerce would not avail
her much. But once drawn into the embrace
of the Great Valley aud suffused with the rich
currents of its ample products, California, from
her position alone, becomes important, and her
commercial greatness stands revealed.
Holding, then, the Mississippi Valley, we
must hold its avenues and outlets. In view Of
our commercial interests, present aud prospec.
tive, il would not do to let rival power pos
sess the harbor of San Francisco. Ia The hands
of Mexico it would be of no account. But it
is evident that Mexico cannot long retain it.
The country must soon pass from her hands
nay, it has passed already. The inhabitants
are Amercanized by migration, and The coun-
try, is ours really, as it will soon be, we doubt
not, formally and by treaty.
"I am opposed 10 the conquest. or purchase
of territory, now free, for the purpose OF in
cooperating slavery upon il; think it an ap-
propria,e time to declare that principle, when
an appropriation is asked to purchase the ter
ritory; and such declaration, made at such a
time, is not in opposition to the administration
unless il be avowed that the administration
wishes to acquire the territory for the extension
of slavery in which case | would think The