The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-02-06
1he Annexation OF Me xIcc-Thc Great Cues
tlon Of the Century.

We give in our columns to-day two remarka-
bic articles, written by two of the most distin-
guished politicians of State, one belonging to
the wing and the other TO the democratic party,
on the present condition OF the country, our re-
lations with Mexico and the next presidential
election. Sngularly enough the distinguished
writers of these articles, without any concert or
communication, personal or otherwise, but look
ing at the probable result from different points of
view, have come almost to the same conclusion,
viz: that the chances are in favor OF Mr.. Clay,
at the next election.
HThat the chances at the next Presidential elec-
ton might be in favor OF M. Clay, we have
sometimes, ourselves, considered probable III
the four millions of legal voters, who exercised
their constitutional rights in 1874, were to vote
over again with the same issues before them as
they had at the last Presidential election, the
suit might be in favor of Mr.. Clay; but we are
much of opinion that, during the last four years,
the progress of new thoughts, feelings, and pur-
poses, In the United States, has been almost equal
10 what it would be in half century of ordinary
existence. All the old issues settled, set
aside and unheeded. In the present crisis, the
public mind is rapidly coming to one decided,
magnificent, great, and most important issue, and
that is. the annexation of the ,ohoie of Merico to
the United States, at oil hazards.
Now, on this important question, great deal
might be said on both sides. The splendor, the
magnifcence, and the brilliancy of annexing the
whole of that great republic to the United States,
with all Its natural and artificial wealth, is
calculated to operate On the public mind,
and to make itself paramount to all other feel
iugs. The young and energetic generation will be
Il, &C. al kvc N he
other hand the moral magnifcence of retiring
entirely from such a country, of showing to the
world our wonderful and miraculous military
accomplishments, and then coming back to our
own territory, may influence the high and mora
sensbiities of the people, and operate as check,
and perhaps overpower the other feelings be-
fore next November. By absorbing all Mexico,
the American people would be but pursuing the
beaten track of conquerors in all ages OF the
world-the Persians, the Carthagenians, the Gre
clans, Romans, Cloths, Franks, Normans, and
the British; but by taking contrary course, and
retiring entirely from that country, and contia-
Ing ourselves within our own natural limits, and,
with our own undisputed population and power,
we may create new national code OF morality
for all nations that are to follow hereafter, and
thus still more to astonish the people of Europe,
with our magnanlmlty, our natlonai Victories
and moral self-denlal.
Whichever srntiment takes precedence In the
national mind, whatever may be the result of the
presidential election, ii is very evident that the
question at issue is more important, more mag
nifcent, and of greater magnitude than any ques
ton that ever came before free people and
that II is equally important that of the revo
luton of l776 itself In fact, the result of the
next election will be change OF more i'm
portsnce than the revolution which separated
this country from Great Britain. 1t will give
new direction to the history of civilization in
the new world, and even in the old.
We have much yet to say this point. We
are on the edge of new transition state in the
history of civilization, and we ought not to take
the first plunge in the depths OF futurity without
due caution and preparation