Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-07-27

ANNEXATION "A New IssuE.-ln the Jour
nal before the last, we published letter from
General Scott. taking ground in favor OF the
annexation of Canada TO the United States
This, we believe, is the first public and open
avowal of such policy directly emanating
from any prominent man in either political
party. There can be little doubt that such an
event has been contemplated as possibility
by no means remote and, indeed, no man of
common discernment can have closely watch
ed the tendency of affairs during the last ff-
teen or twenty years, and failed to perceive
the rapid progress of the British possessions
in North America towards their manifest
destiny" either as an independent nation, or
an integral component of the great American
system. Still. the subject is surrounded with
so many difficulties, that the very bOldest
statesmen have failed to approach ii, even in
words, while to the South it is, and always
has been, a subject of we'll grounded dread
and apprehension. The annexation of the
British possessions on the North, without
some corresponding acquisition on the South,
would at once be fatal TO the influence and
rights of the Southern States; and even then
it would be fraught with manifold dangers
and difficulties, arising from the peculiar char
acter of the people, and of the government
which has so long subsisted in those provin-
ces. Although living close neighbors to the
States, the Canadians, both of The French and
English parties, are essentially EUROPEAN in
their notions of government. The system OF
Capitalization, and the doctrine of the omnip-
otence of Parliament, or of the general gov
eminent, are fundamental principles interwo-
ven with the very being of a Canadian. 1t
can require little reflection to convince any
one that people with these views and preju.
dices must necessarily form an unharmonious
element in government of limited powers
and delegated authority; and when, TO this
consideration is added the fact, that Canada
has for years past been the very hot bed Of
abolitionism and the receptacle of runaway
slaves from various parts of the Union, its
danger to the South may the more readily be
estimated. That section of the Union which
can only look to the rigid observance of the
Statesright principle of the constitution for its
safety and protection, cannot but regard with
jealousy the introduction of an element with
strong centralizing tendencies, especially when
those tendencies are to be directed by spirit
of hostility to the institutions of the South
We would conclude this article by asking, in
the language Of the N. Y. Herald: {" Why has
the opinion OF General Scott been asked and
promulgated at this particular time? Can ii
be that this is the beginning of movement
TO place him before the people as the whig
candidate for the presidency in 1852? We
will not say that it is but it certainly looks a
little like it. The annexation of that vast ter
ritory would certainly be a splendid and very
taking issue Oh which 10 go into general
election. The Courier and Enquirer of this
city, which has always been favorable TO the
claims of General Scott to the Presidency,
endorses his opinions in full. But no matter
what the design may be, if any really exist,
we shall watch it closely, and repor: progress
from day 10 day. One thing, however, is GER
tain-that the annexation of Canada will in
volve also that of Cuba, for when we speak
of Incorporating it. Cuba naturally follows"