Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1848-01-20
Difference in Races and Religions.

OIucfcuCe IN kbdCcS anu ftcllStOnS.
The able editor of the DslapGre Gazette thus Doii-
ces Mr. CLAWS objection to the mingng Of races and
religions. if the annexation of Mexico should ever
take place:
The progress Of the American armies has taught
not much the bitterness Of the sword the beauty
and utility Of refined civilization.
1t is wonderful non seguitur to assume that men
cannot be happily governed by common authority
in consequence Of difference in race That such diff
ference might present difficulties, is probable perhaps
necessary but that such difficulties would be insu-
perabe, we have upon case and instance after
instance TO dlsprove.
How is it in Greece to-day, under the Bavarian
Kingl How is it in India under English Governors
and Presidents! How is it in Jamaica in Trinidad.
and in English Guiana! and how at the Cape of GOOD
Hope! Greece, it is true, is not as happily governed
this country England but is it far behind France!
Are not the HlndoOs, the PaSsees the Buddhsts and
Musslemen of India, far better governed and secured
in their rights, than they under the systems
tablished by their native Begums and EmPerors Sou
bahders and Princesl Has there been any extraOrd-
nary complaints the part of the Spanish population
of Jamaica or Guiana! In this last, three or four
races were mingled with each uthcr-Spansh, French
Dutch and English.
We have seen Dutch Doors from the Cape of Good
Hope, who were always pleased to bear witness TO
the general excellence of the English government
there
isiana when acquired III Have the French popu-
ation there complained of American dominationl
Is it not of the most orderly, tranquil pros
peruus and happy States Of our GLORIOUS Unionl"
Will its internal condition not compare well with that
of Delaware or even Pennsylvania
Who inhabited s'the Floridas' when Mr.. Monroe
bought theml Are the descendants of their beri-
an settlers Incorporated with own Grant Yankee
tribe, peacefully, happily, indissolublyl
But have we not different in different sections
of the ''old thirteen Stafes Are there no French
descendants of the Huguenots in South Carolina!
Whole settlements of Dutch, NOrwegians, and other
German nations TO be found scattered throughout
our midst, who, though they of the Saxon stock,
are not tinged with Anglcism. II is unpardona-
bic and unwarrantable assumption then to that
difference of race will prevent two nations from be-
ing ''happiy" united under the same government
A difference in "aw' is alleged, as another cause
why we cannot live happily with Mexico annexed
This seems to be greater fallacy than the last.
Why! the laws Of every State are dissimiar and
though in most of them, the English common law
prevails as basis, such is not the case in Louisiana
where the ''Code Napoleon" yields the rudlmenis of
legal rights and remedies to the citizen; and in Flor
da we apprehend that precedants and authorities might
be cited from the commercial codes of old Spain, as
equally in point with Sir William Blackstone and my
Lord Coke We are beginning 10 be told, too, in this
region, that ldtO as uery useless and IniportGnt az
fair at best. Surely difference in respect to il should
repel any portion Of Mexico desiring shelter I'M
der our agis But the reason suggested arising
from the difference in Language" exceeds all the
others in Its weakness. Have we not within DAYS
ride of whole districts inhabited by people speak
ing nothing but German! And in the bosom Of the
Empire State is not low Dutch the most useful tongue
for politician to acquire, least when he has learn
ed 'to talk little Indan!" What language do the
Norwegians speak in Iowa and Wisconsin! the Swiss
the Ohio the Germans from the Prncipalities and
Celebrates in Texas! the French in Louisiana! the
Spanish in Florida! and even the Mexicans in Texas!
Have not scattered over and throughout the whole
country good orderly citizens whose hearts are truly
American, though their tongues are notl 1t is an
absurdity then to aege that difference in language,
however great, can prevent the successful civil COM
munion of men In one government.
A difference in religion is lastly cited n rea-
son for living asunder from Mexican brethren
And here find the learned Sir Oracle driven COM
petely the wall. He is forced his facts
Ill this case. as well his logic. What difference Of
religion is there between MEXICO and the United
States! In Mexico (athough we told that tolera-
ton is guaranteed to alp the Catholic Apostolic is the
prevailing religion. And does the holy
Church erect her alters in every town, and almost
every village of our own land! Perhaps the number
of adherens the doctrines of the Papal See in this
country not very far less in number, than in Mex
co There is no established religion in this country.
And there is considerable difference existing be-
tween and Mexico, except few superstitons
which have been engrated upon the practice of the
Catholic Church in the latter, in this respect This
resolution embraces so many heterodoxies, that we
feel obliged 10 leave for future article the examna-
ton Tin which shall be brief possible) of the
remainder, apOlogzing for the length of this, which
has swelled beyond our design. What we have said
Git however be Sdded) applies with force
the acquisition OF part than the whole OF Mexico.