The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-08-04
New Plans for the Annexation OF Mexico and
Cubn.

New Plans for the Annexation OF Mexico and
Cubn.
We give In another part of io-day's paper, an
article from the National Inteiligencer, headed
" New Schemes of Conquest and Annexation of
Territory in which II said that scheme is on
foot TO annex the Mexican provinces on the Rio
Grande to the United States, that General Shields
is at the head of the movement and is probably at
San Luis in general council to make the final ar
rangements. A few days since, we published an
article from New Orleans paper, giving some
particulars OF contemplated instruction against
Spanish authority in Cuba, and having for its OBJ
ject the ultimate annexation of that beautiful island
TO the United States. Thus we have whisperings
and rumors OF more annexation, more increase of
territory, and more expansion of the American
system ofgovemment, and Its attendant blessings.
The Hteligencer makes great "pother'' about
the contemplated invasion and future annexation
OF the Mexican provinces, bordering on the Rio
Grande, and declalms much about national honor
and national ustice-as If il were not IN the nature
of things inevitable that, sooner or later the re-
publicans Of the north, would overrun the whole
of Mexico, and we may add, Cuba, too, before
many years. If the inhabitants of those provinces
are convinced, as we believe they are, that as
oil Httgfdi pOIIOH VI tllt NleAlCdH coHfeutIdCy
they will never be free from trouble, disquIet, and
disorder, Blu, be subject, continually, TO all the ca
lamities that ensue from revolutions. lnsur-
rections and omeistes, concocted by military
chieftains for their own ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, at
the expense of the State, and believe tia
by annexlng themselves to the United States
they would be more secure, more quiet, that
their lives and their property would be better
protected and that they would be at liberty to de-
yelope the great agricultural and mineral resources
OF their country, which they cannot DO now, we
cannot see but that they have perfect right to do
so, and to secure all the assistance within their
reach that they can If General Shields, and five
thousand Americans, choose 10 90 10 those pro-
vinces, and identify themselves with such a
cause, they absolve themselves from all right of
protection from their own government, and will
sink or SWIM with the movement which they
may have enlisted. Such being our views, we do
not any necessity for making such terrible
cutlery about the matter. If those provinces sue
coed in establishing their independence and their
independence separate republic be recognized
by the leading nations of the world they will have
a perfect right, as Texas had, TO seek annexation
TO the United States; and if those rumors are true
such will in all probability be the ultimate result.
II we are to have the whole of Mexico, as appears
TO be probable, later, this would be as
good m e,hod as any other, of getting her.
II may be possible that this expedition of Gene
raj Shields may have been suggested and is about
10 be undertaken. In consequence of the difficult
ties in the midst Of which Congress is placed, in
reference TO the extension, or non-extension, of
slavery into the new territories. Certain il is,
that if successful, it would, in connection with
the annexation OF Cuba, bring about an equlli-
brIum-a balance of interests the slavery
matter, that would be attended with good re-
suits. Much talk about freedom in the
North, slavery and servltude exist there to as
great extent, If not greater than it does in the
South. Our mechanics and laborng people are
the slaves of state of society which reduces them
to condition OF serviude low as that of the ne
groes of the South. They are not identified with
the soil; nor, when out OF employment, have they
any source on which they can depend for assist
ance, or means with which to support themselves
and families. They are the victims of competition.
When work or employment is abundant, they
make out TO get scanty subsistence; when the
times are dull and employment scarce, they are
perfectly free to stave. Such is not the case with
the colored slaves of the South. They are identi-
fed with the soil which they till: they have a
claim upon 1t as well as upon their masters for
their support and they not at liberty to pro-
create as rapidly as the white slaves Of the North
are, which is a consideration of much consequence
under the circumstances. They will lot inc rease
20 much as 10 encroach on the means of subslst-
ence.
Again, in Mexico there is species of slavery,
human servitude, which, in whatever light ii
may be viewed, is nothing but slavery. We mean
the system OF PeonIsm, by which creditor is
allowed to hold perpetual mortgage on the labor
OF the debtor, until the amount of his debt is paid
Under this system, which is recognized and up
held by the laws of that country and is munic-
pal and peculiar institution, as fully as the system
Of negro slavery in the Southern States and IN
the Island of Cuba, laborer who becomes indebt-
ed TO his master, is seldom or ever released from
his slavery II is the nteres, of the master to
keep him in debt, and in debt and in servitude he
remains during the term of his natural life. It is
mockcry to call such system by any other term
than human slavery.
Slavery thus existing, in one form or another In
the North, well as in the south-in Mexico, as
well as in Cuba-if more of Mexican territory
and the island OF Cuba were annexed TO the Uni
ted States, the consequence might probably be a
balance, or equilibrium, between those different
species OF servtude, which would be satisfactory
10 the advocates OF each There would, IN such
case. be no need of WIlmot provisos or ANYTHING