The Santa Fe weekly gazette. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.T. [i.e. N.M.]) 1851-1854, 1853-07-02
English View of Gen. Pierce's Inaugural.

The London Times after briefly re-
viewing on the several topics Of the In
augural has the following with regard
TO that portion Of il, which refers 10 the
acquisition Of certain territory as impor.
tant for our protection:
No doubt these popular and patriotic
views and intentions respond 10 the ex-
pectalons of that immense Democratic
majority which has placed Gen. Pierce
al the head of the American government;
and it is probable that nothing less is
expected of the new President than u
combination of all the benefits Of unlim-
tied expansion with all the blessings of
peace. BUTT may be the sui jet ofseri.
rious doubt how far it is wise in the re.
sponsible head of the governmentto to en-
courage such expectations by language
addressed not only to popular ASSEM-
bly, at Washington, but in some degree
TO the world. The declarations Of Pre-
sident Pierce in favor of peace and in
teInational law would ha,et,tn greater
authority if they had not been preceded
by the avowal Of his desirs 10 extend
the authority of the Union by the acqui-
sition of certain possessions not within
its jurisdiction. And, although he Is
not haunted by any forebodings of evil
from expansion, a government which
openly declares its desire and intention
ofagglandizement does, in fact announce
policy which must change its position
in relation 10 the other States Of tho
world. He cannot have forgotten that
whatever he hopes to acquire some 9th
er States must lose, and that to extend
American rights is TO curtail those Of
, other nations.
} There is, indeed, one kind Of expan-
J sion in which the United States have
! already given conspicuous example 10
: the world; and in WHICH we cordially
desire, and 10 a considerable ex,en, par.
, ticipate in their progress. It's the glo-
! ry Of this country, and Of its transailsn.
tic descendants, that the seedof nation
Q which was first conveyed and sown b,
! British hands on that continent ti,pd,
!, overshadows il by its rapid and mrjrs
q tic growth. The expansion Of free in
: siitutions has brought the exercise 0
D civil rights and The enjoyment Of rom
8 plete liberty 10 the door Of every iii
!, zen Of the United States.
,, But the mode in which General Pi,r,
:, employs this remarkable expression, an,
! the context Of his address, would appea
:, to give it more precise and less adnnis
, sible sense. He evidently reflects, witt
y something like taunt, on that eminen
:, class of politicians who were Of opinion
y that the annexation of Texas aud tn
- conquests Of Mexican territory were dan
IN gerous innovations in the true policy 0
the United States, and he seems to i'm
= ply that those highly questionable act
- :, are the very types Of the political cor
= duct he is prepared to hold. The prir
= ciple Of expansion and Of the acquisitio
:. of territory, which has hitherto been dis
= ~ avowcd, Or timidly defended, by tho gres
Y majority Of American statesmen in Dow
AZ er, is now proclaimed at his inaugnratio
es as a cardinal principle of the new at
O. ministration. Hitherto, the goyernmcr
n Of the United States has almost inyari.
I'M bly, opposed o barrier to this acquistiy
&C. tendency, which served at least to chec
ng the impetuosiy Of public opinion, an
'e' to moderate its aggressive power,
ms dwelling on the dangers Of too mu,
.r- success. General Pierce discards th
ire notion altogether. He condemns as /
ne mid fears the apprehensions which Il
ire wisest ofhis predecessors have axnrassa !