Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-09-03


successive additions to our territory will weok-
the bonds of affection, and introduce rival in
terests and sectional discords in our Legislative
councils, which must debilitate the central pov-
ernment, and break into fragments the national
unity. This general argument, which has ever
been, and will ever be leveled at any proposed
accession OF territory, has its perpetual answer
In the records OF our prosperity. Each distinct
i've cluster OF States has, besides the interests
common to all the co-soveregns, a special and
leading source OF prosperity peculiar to ITSELF
and to which all the rest in some matter con-
tribute aid and sustenance. Thus the unrestrjc-
ted supply OF their staple by the cotton-produ-
cling States to the manufacturing States of New
England is Of value and importance in propor-
tion to the extent Of the mutual demand and
the more the field is increased and unfettered.
the larger the advantage to them and to the I'm.
ion. The wheat and cattle-growing States find
their account in furnishing both sections with
bread, butter, cheese, and cured meats, and thew.
as well as the manufacturer, will not on reflec-
ton decide against adding Cuba to their home
market. She can give them, in exchange for
their productions,the coffee and cocoa they have
not much more cheaply, if she is under the same
family tent and unincumbered by tariffs and for
eign entanglements. The commercial States.
whose shipping conveys to and fro, with the
least possible hinderance and expense, whatever
their less maritime sisters require, make again
another distinct interest, necessarily disposed to
increase its range of business by the accession
of new fields, and, like the manufacturing States
are in postion--if wise enough to perceive it
to create another profitable customer in every
new State. This diversity of sectional produc
tions and interests makes, by their variety and
mutual depende -icies, just so many checks on
extreme legislation. If there were but two class
es OF interests, and located in opposite sections
OF the republic, they might clash and separate
IN deadly hostility, but now no one sectional
division can hope to control unduly, and much
less drive to extremities any other section for
the intermediate and coordinate divisions are
always more powerful than either, and will al
ways have the strongest inducements to throw
their influence in the weaker scale and mediate
with decision. The State, therefore, that brings
to the confederation new local interest-lSe
Canada with her lumber and fisheries, or Cuba
with her coffee and tropical fruits-adds anoth.
er balance-wheel to the immense, yet magnif-
Gently simple machinery of the Union--a pre-
clous dowry independent of geographical power
and advantage. Something too will be said of
difference OF race and custom: but our cheap
and omnipresent press and common school diff
fusion Americanize, rs rapidly as they touch, ev-
cry caste and tribe OF the Caucasian stock into
J patriotic republicans, as we see in Louisiana and
! FLORIDA, and in the throngs Of foreigners whose
} sons are so prompt in every citizen duty. Pref
udices disappear before the freedom and expan-
sion OF the press, pulpit, and common school, as
time and distance vanish before steam and the
telegraph.
If the slavery agitation is not laid in the tomb
! before Cuba is candidate for annexation-tbat
question, which at its first eruption would have
thrown itself dangerously in her path-will
serve her materially; for the instinct of selfde-
fence will compel every true son of the slave
holding States to vote in solid phalanx for the
admission of such an ally, while the mediating
States will lend theirs to sustain the euuilibri
um between the north and SOUTH so roughly
threatened by Free Soism.
Cuba may count on the commercial States for
they will become the carriers of her merchan-
! disc. This will secure her the powerful aid Of
New York and Pennsylvania, and perhaps of
} Massachusetts also, as Cuba will employ her
looms as well as her ships. She may rely equal
ly on the majority of the free western States,
: who will supply her with flour and other provis-
ions, and most confidently on the entire south,
as it would be suicidal in those States to do 9TH
} erwise; so that, come when she may, and with
T whatever clamor she may be met her represent
} atives will find their chairs ready for them in
our Congress.
|, The moral objection to the increase of slave.
ry in our limits will have, and ought to have, its
due weight--but only its due weight--with
those who bring all measures to the crucible of
: the " ultimate best" If, in its widest compre-
hension, it is the ultimate best for mankind and
civilization, that the last and most inaccessible
stronghold of African slavery in North America
should be brought within the light of our insti-
f tutions and their progressive teachings if they
| believe that the emancipating influences of our
Union are safer and more salutary, even for the
, colored race, than the sudden revolutions of
layti; and if they will estimate by the past the
, future action of States that have already done
so much for the improvement, colonization, and
I final independence of the African family, even
the candid men of the anti-slavery party can find
little to fear and much to hope for their colored
r brethren, in the transfer of Cuba In giving an
other star to our banner, and another balance to
our confederation, it also gives another waste
field to their reclaming hands.
Let your recreations be manly moderate, sea-
: sonable and lawful. The use of recreation is
!, to strengthen you for your labor, and to
: sweeten your rest. But there are some SO rig
! id or timorous, that they avoid all diversions