The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-25

We have become so thoroughly habituated
to JOHN Bulls Unsuitable appetite for annexa-
ton, that the particular way in which he may
chance to crafty it has ceased to call forth ex-
pressions of surprise. His feats in this line are
nova days ordinarily performed in remote re-
gions of Asia, beyond the reach of common
vision. and occupied by people little known
beyond their own dominion. Their version of
affairs does not penetrate courts or cabinets;
they are tried on er pa,te testimony, and their
prosecutor, being at once witness and Judge, in
due time becomes their execuiioner. Appeals
to courts of equity are never heard Of Mr..
BULL admits of no second party in the man
agement Of his family business, which not I'M
frequently brings him into collision with semi
civilized neighbors. and produces a seeming oc-
casion for mulcting them in heavy penalties for
dispu,ing his behests. In India, especially.
he claims the right to have his own way
unmolested His vast domain there is the re
suit Of accumulated conquests undertaken on
trifing pretext, and, from the tenure by
which 1t is held, always creating a necessity
for fresh aggressions. And yet we are not
aware that any attempt has been seriously
made to incite kings or peoples to undertake
Intervention TO enforce non-interventon."
The great head Of the BULL family still goes
on as though he at least were apprehensive Of
no such doctrine.
The last arrival from India, ria Europe,
brings intelligence Of movement to obtain
new prizes. War has broken out between the
British and the Burmese, with no other ina.
ginable object than the acquisition Of further
territory by the former. That object is not
avowed, but 1t is unquesiionably contingent
upon the refusal Of series Of demands advanced
by the British government, with more than a
probability that Burmah has not the means Of
complying with them if it would. Speaking
Of the forthcoming event, the London Morning
Chronicle remarks
1.-The project OF snnering Pegu and the delta Of
the Irrawsddy river, and Of thus occupying tho
entrepot which has formed the centre Of the pre-
sent dispute, has already been eagerly advocated
in India. These districts, 1t is said would coat lit
tie TO seize, and would compensate us not only for
the pains of taking them, but f,r the expenses Of
our last campaign. Whatever may be the value
OF the arguments for or against annexation, there
be- little doubt that the i,.clf had becorn.
inevitable. India 10 not a country where we can
safely afford TO pocket insults, !. the Burmese
empire sufficiently Insignificant 10 admit of our
exhibiting q protrscted forbesrnnce towards Il.
without the rick Of msconstruction both by that
power and its nsighbors.
at is easy, Of course, 20 declsim against the
pronenoss Of our governors general to military
conquest, and 10 dilste on the internal improve.
ments TO which the resources Of the country ought
TO be dedicated But it 10 not easy 10 zee how
Great Britain is 20 retain the prcrogstive of pro.
noting tbose improvements prerogstve which
she undoubtedly crerts with greater effect than
any previous rulers Of the East-unless she also
keeps the prestige Of her power unimp.ired and
unquestioned"
The city Of Pegu, which is thus marked
out for meal, is the seat of a thriving com
merce on the river Irrawaddy, and in the midst
Of populou. and fertile country. The mos,
that is alleged against BurInah is that it has
perpetrated some INSULT against Britain
phrase that may mean any thing or nothing ac
cording to the interests or caprice of the con
queror. lie stands upon his dgnty-not upon
his rights ; and is resolved to keep the pres
tige" Of his power unimpalred and unques-
toned, in spite Of all the qualms Of tender
consciences, and the mawkish morality Of more
vulgar nortsls.