The Woodville Republican, and Wilkinson advertiser. (Woodville, Miss.) 1853-18??, 1853-02-22
b

gressional proceedings must have noted that
questions are now being and have been dis
cussed this session in both houses Of Congress,
which threaten very materially 10 change our
National policy. The signs Of the times would
at present seem TO be portentous Of changes
which, fifty years ago, we would have shud-
dered 10 think Of. The tendency Of things is
eminently progressiye-and very properly so.
The leading spirits in our national councils
have caught the infection, and the country is
shocked or delighted at the result according
to their several modes Of thinking. Shall Eu-
ropean powers plant colonies on this side the
Atlanticl has suddenly become a grave ques-
tion-and threatens the hitherto existing rela-
tons Of the controlling political powers Of both
hemispheres.
We do not imagine that il can now be Of
much cons equence what the sO-called Monroe
doctrine was really intended at first to include;
the question rather is, what is our duty TO our
selves as a nation aowg We must confess we
have a leaning TO the opinion that we should
prevent European colonization on our side of
the AtIantic-eyen at the hazard Of war
Our manifest destiny" seems to Indicate
that we, ourselves, will enc day cone in for
decidedly the Lions share Of all that IS now
known as America-North or Southland
that fully as fast as civilization, enlightenment
and refinement may be called for-we will be
ready TO extend those blessings. Already
American enterprise has penetrated almost
wherever any portion of Mexico offers salts
factory inducements; commerce is opening
the way, and intimate acquaintance with the
various and varied inhabitants follows, as a
matter Of course. Our caravans may be seen
stretching across their plains-scaling their
mountains and fording their rushing torrents.
Modern inventions and Improvements, all that
w consider the necessary adjuncts of our
own mode Of life are plentifully furnished them,
no matter whether they be schemes of trade
plans for advancing their position in this world,
bibles to prepare them for another, or r%evolvers
TO send them into 1t. In Panama, on the 18th
mus, and in British Honduras, we are already
sufficiently numerous to demand the rights an
American deems his due, be he where he may.
The majestic rivers of South America having
flowed quietly on to the sea for centuries are
now disturbed by the rush Of our steamers, and
the beauteous woods that overhang the shore
and present a scene Of loneliness which is hard
ly believed TO be real when seen,-now echo
to the snort Of these monster messengers of
civilization-speeding on their way and har-
bingering improvements, of which the inhab-
itants in their slothful Incidence may never
have heard, and which will soon change the
condition of the entire Southern continent
So much for what we are doing and can do.
Again, suppose Honduras and many other
points around us, the seats of hourishing Eu-
ropean colonies, in the event of war, the mis-
chief that mightbe done us through mediums
of this kind cannot be estimated even now,
past experience has proved that the great trou-
Bile and source of annoyance in a war with
Britain is the facility which the Canadas offer
for the invasion of her armies from that quar-
ter. Gradually, we believe the idea that Cuba
is to be ours is gaining ground in the minds
of even The most conservative, while to those
who think with Senator Soule and his supper
tiers in Congress, it has already become a fixed
fact and with reason. Cuba is in fact as close
to our doors now as Florida or Louisiana were
at the time of their acquisition, and perhaps
there is not ms much fear or distrust in the
minds of our people with reference to the an
n~exation of this ocean gem, as there was at
that time with reference TO the other terrific
ries w have mentioned. On all sides then we
see the spirit of p yession abroad, and we
may say that it me be CALLED a democratic
measure, for over and through all, there is an
eye looking to the firm maintenance of our
own prosperous relations, while it looks also to
the best means of extending the blessings we
ourselves enjoy to the greatest number.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ES We have on our table the ID Series o.
Essays from the London Times, published in
handsome style by the Appletons. This vol