Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-01-08

But even those momentous events are but the
forerunners of new territorial revolutions still
moro stupendous. dynastic struggle between
the Emperor Napoleon and Spain, commencing
In 1908, convused the Peninsula. The vast pos !.
sessions of the Spanish Crown on this continent
vice royalties and captain generalships filing the
space between California and Cape Horn-one
after another asserted their Independence. No
friendly power in Europe at that time was able,
or if able was willing, to succor Span or aid her
to prop the crumblimg buttresses of her colonial
empire. So far from it, when France, in 1923,
threw army of 100,0 900 men in Spain to con-
troll her domestic politics, England thought it ne
cessary to counteract the movement by recogni-
sing the independence ofthe Spanish provinces in
America. In the remarkable language of the
distinguished Minister of the day, in order to re-
dress the balance of power in Europe he called
into existence n new world 10 the West; some
what oyerrating perhaps the extent ofthe derange-
ment in the Old World, and not doing full justice
to the position of the United States in America,
or their influence on the fortunes of their sister
republics this continent.
Thus, in sixty years from the close of the
seven years war; Spain, like France, had lost the
last mains of her imperial possessions in
this hemisphere. The United States meantime
were, by the arts peace and the healthful pro-
gress of things. rapidly enlargiug their dimension
aud consolidating their power.
The great march of events still went on
Some of the new republics, from the effect of
mixture of races, or the want of training 10
liberal institutions, showed themselves incapable
of self-g government. The province of Texas re-
VOTED from Mexico by the same right by which
Mexico reyolted from Spain. At the memorable
battle of San Jacinto in 1886 she passed the
great ordeal of nascent States, and her ndepen.
denee recognised by this Government, by
England by France and other European Powers.
Mainly peopled from the United States, she
sought naturally to be incorporated into the
Union. The offer was repeatedly rejected by
Presidents jackson and Van Buren,, to avoid
collision with Mexico. At last the annexation
took place. Asa domestic question, it is no fit
subject for comment in communication to for
eign Minister. AS question of public law, there
never was an extension ofterritory more natural
ly or justiiably made. 1t produced a disturbed
relation with the Government of Mexico war
ensued, and in its results other extensive terrific
ries were, for large pecuniary compensation
the part of the United States, added to the
Union.
Without adverting to the divisions of opinion
which arose in reference to this war--as must
always happen in free countries in reference to
great mensures-no person, surveying these
events with the eye of comprehensive states
manshp can fail to trace in the main result the
undoubted operation oil the law of our political
existence. The consequences before the
world. Vast provinces, which had languished
for three centuries unoer the leaden sway of a
stationary system, are coming unoer the iufu
sDces of an active civilization Freedom of
speech aud the press, the trial by jury, religious
equality, and representative Government have
been carried by the Constitution of the United
States into regions in which they were unknown
before. By the settlement of California the
great circuit of Intelligence round the globe is
completed. The discovery of tho gold of that re-
gion, leading as it did to the same discovery 10
Australia has touched the nerves of industry
throughout the world. Exery addition to the
territory Of the American Union has given homes
to European destitution and gardens to European
want. From every part of the United Kingdom:
from France from Switzerland, and Germany, and
from the EXTREMIST north of Europe, a march of
immigration has been taken up, such as the
world has never seen before. Into the United
States, grown to their present extent in the man.
ner described, but little less than halfa million
of the population of the Old World is annually
pouring, to be Immediately incorporated into an
industrious and prosperous community, in the
bosom of which they find political and religious
liberty social position, employment and bread.
1t is a fact which would defy belief, were it
not the result of official inquiry. that the immi-
grants to the United States from Ireland alone
besides having subsisted themselves, have sent
back to their kindred for the three last years
nearly FIVE millions of dollars annually; thus doub-
ling in three years the purchase money of Louis
lana.
Such is the territorial Development of the
United States in the past century. Is it possible
that Europe can contemplate it with an unfriend
y or jealous eye? What would have been her
condition in these trying years but for the outlet
we have furnished to her starving millions?
Spain, meantime, has retained of her extern
sive Jominions in this hemisphere but the two
islands of Cuba and Porto Rico. A respectful
sympathy with the fortunes of an ancient ally
and gallant people, with VIII ON the United
States have maintained the most friendly
relations, would, if no other reason existed
make it our duty to leave her in the uudisturbed
possession of this little remnant of her mighty
transatlantic empire. The President desires to
do so; word or deed of his will ever question
her title or shake her possession. But Gun it be
expected to last very long! Can it resist this
mighty current in the fortunes of the world! Is
it desirable that it should do so! Can it be for
the interest of Spain to cling to possession that
eau only be maintained by a garrison of twenty
five or thirty thousand troops powerful naval
force, aud annual expenditure for both arms
OF the service at least twelve millions of dollars!
Cuba at this moment costs more to Spain than
the entire naval and military establishments of
the United States cost. the Federal Government
SO far from being really injured by the loss of
this island there is no doubt that We're it peace
fully transferred to the United States a prosper
Gus commerce bstween Cuba and Spain, resulting
from ancient association and common language
and tastes, would be far more productive than
the best contrived system of colonial taxation.-
Such VIGOROUSLY has been the result to Great
Britain of the establishment of the independence
of the United States. The decline of Spain from
the position which she held in the time Of Charles
the Fifth is coeva with the foundation or her
colonial system; while within twenty-fi five years,
and since the lost of most of her colonies she has
entered upon course of rapid improvement un-
known since the abdication Of that Emperor