The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1851-09-11
.Sbt Gantastrr Csa,cttt,,
LAAoAsrnn. sEpFEMBER 3, lssl. I.

sA1tHtcSNLSus WnCiCtu tHO CnitOIt ottOulVto
70 define his position. mixing incougru
Gus aud strange things together, in order
to conceal wbatis really important and
giveuu opportunity at any time to change
front:-
gai"The matterfirst for us 10 consider, is
what is the mutual wish aud disposition
of independent Cuba and the United
States. If equal political association u.
niop,nr annexation. if you irsist upon that
tenn, then annexation should be the
word. We have YET confidence in The
patriotism and wisdom 0f the American
people. They. Aonrished by the scqpisi.
tinn of territory 1t has never created
sufficient esTangemem Of feeling amnng
States orpeople, TO endanger the Union"
We iialicize the word "snfficiep,," for
in that The editor admits the dangerous
tendency his doctrine. and gives us an
opportunity toreply TO many remarks of
q similar character which we hear baud
isd.abpui by apologists for apnexaton.pi
more territory. five wanted more land,
there might be sotne excuse for annexa-
tion; but we do not. We have su6ic ient
now, enough to accommodate the incre ase
of population for centuries. If the Gu
bans wish to be free, we are right glad
Of it, and ardently hope that they may
be successful. sIpthat event we are viii
ling to go as far as the farthest in assert.
ing their independence and if needs be
in helping them maintain it. Being free
we see no possible advantage to this
cnuntry by going beyond that. ..g's
The annex alton of Louisiana excited
some opposition, but principally on &C,
count of constitutional objections. 1t
was an important measure TO our com
merce. The annexation of Texas, Of it.
self created considerable feeling, and the
consequences of that, the purchase of
California aud New Mexicoand the ques.
tion Of slavery caused an estrangement
of feeling" which leads men to calculate
the value of this union aud The probable
fate of the people in tho event of its dis,
solution Men of strong nerve went
armed to the discussions in our National
Congress aud some predicted an appeal
10 the sword to end The debate, But this
was not Sufficient" Gallant hearts and
strong. minds interposed aud saved the
Union. These are facts we'll known Ia
the writer of the above paragraph. 01'
Then why wish further to test lhe
strength of the Uniunl IL the Cubans
desire it. Cuba can be free without an
nexation. Why wish to renew agitationl
We have thus far fou,ished in spite Of
annexation, but why wish to increase this
'eslrangement of feeliugl' To use a
homely phrase, 'the last ounce broke the
camel's back" aud If we are true to our
selves, we should mt wish to pursue Q
course which has hitherto involved US in
exciting discussions, because we have
thus far been fortunate enough 10 survive
the dangers to which the acquisition o
territory has exposed the Union.
No one is prepared to say that the an
nexation Of yCnba will cause dismem
berment Of these States. The Unioi
may aud possibly would survive this ad
dltiunal shock; but each new acquisition
makes new converts, aud so long as th'
institution of slavery exists iu this coun
try.lhere can be no territory added which
will not cause an estrangement OF feel
ing between the citizens of the differen
sectionsoi the Union. The Editor Of tn,
Statesman himself was originally oppos
edto the acquisition Of Texas, but be
cause that has not resulted in absolu,
ruin, he favors continuance Of the sam
policy. The. same causes will produc
the same effects, and while the waters G
a.smaIl stream may not be able to do'an
damage, increaseits volume and velocit
and the, strongestobjects will yield 10 il
power. Itis easy 10 reply that this po
icy may be changed at any time, but whe
the torrent is under full head.way, i, i
impossible To resist its force lis tn
part Of wisdom 10 stem the curren
when we may. rrtI sf b .,5'sa ~ (
AS q ftieud, Of this Union, sprofoundl
impressed with its blessings and its ad
vantsges. we ardently desre'that lis n
Auence may continue to spread through
oaliheearih, and with this feeling nper
at:ne within us, we would meet this ques
ton al ;he;beRiuuihg, for we see in pas
sing-events evidept signs of an attemp,
not far oE. t6 sgitate the question Of al
uexaiion aud toipreseut 10 the peoplst
this country candidate forlhe Presider
cyptsdgedt 10 use his power aud infu
encssfor the acquisition Of Cuba. ~
C6E. CRiTTRNDEN,--.T The LouisyiH
Courier says "tAe Col, Critieuden," sh'
a, Havana was. doubtless William Cri
teadeu, son Of Joha A, Criltepden, lsi