Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-11-19
A NEW SCHEME OF AYyExAroM

the widest imagination, that those readers who are
not in the habit Of perusing Democratic papers
would not understand the illusions of our CORE
spondent without some predatory explanation They
would hardly conceive that a scheme is on foot to
extend the bounds Of this American Union three
thousand miles beyond the shore Of the continent
into the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, to ac-
quire and annex to the United States the Sandwich
Islands, composed Of Owyhee and the contiguous
ones forming the group. Plain readers, who have
looked only at the honorable and happy des-
tiny contemplated by the trainers Of the Govern
ment and their wise successors, would not credit
that scheme of expansion 50 vast and perilous
could be projected by any sane American, or that it
could or has come from any but the teeming brain
of some visionary of the " Universal Democratic
Committee" alien and unframed alike to all true
notions of American principles and aspirations.
But lest any retired readers should remain incredu-
lous we will present them with one or two notices
of the project from the public press The first is
the following extract from Washington letter TO
the Philadelphia American of the 18th instant:
"Do not be surprised if you should learn within few
weeks that treaty of annexation to the United States has
already been negotiated between the Hon. LUTHER SEW
FRANCE United States Commissioner to the Sandwich
Islands, and the authorities of the Hawaiian Govern
ment Indeed it is not improbable such treaty is now
on its way to Washington. Mr.. SEVERANCE has
hority to negotiate such treaty. and the change
in the Hawaiian Cabinet is understood to have been
brought about to accomplish that result Dr. JUpD who
retired in favor of Mr. ALLEN, friend of
on but desired its accomplishment with certain restric
tons likely to embarrass both Governments in their
goations on the subject perhaps it is more accurate
to say that he was in favor of annexation only certain
conditions Mr.. ALLEN is radical, and in favor of
annexation and all the time"
What an absurdity to talk of annexation To
what shall it be annexed? To California, as part
Of that State? We presume that it cannot be con-
tempated to make State of these five islands in
the middle of the Pacific nor yet Territory. Is it
then as a Colony they are to be held Is it pro-
posed to adopt the anomalous plan of colonies, un-
represented and dsfranchised-a political condition
SO utterly at war with the vital principles of our
system of Government? And if as colonies, into
what of hazardous responsibilities and peril
Gus consequences viii this Union be embarked, one
that we shall ultimately find not pacific, how
ever it may be named on the map.
But the reader may say this is only random
paper, the Union, says in its number of Tuesday
last:
g The ANNEXATION OF THE SANDWICH IsLANDs.-The
beauty Of the fcderatve system Of Government is
to be illustrated the question of the annexation of the
Sandwich Islands. The Importance to commerce,
and the advantages of having them attached Gov
eminent, have not been overlooked by people. The
Legislature Of Arkansas OF its session of 1928,
pressed decided opinion in favor of the acquisition Of
those islands and the sentiment has BEEN generally
entertained wherever the question has been considered
But Government has not departed from its establish
ed policy in regard this matter The question of the
annexation of the Sandwich Islands has not originated
with our Government The influence Of example has
been operative and citizens Of the United States in the
prosecution of their lawful schemes of enterprise n
vduas have exerted influence upon the question
But Government has taken step to bring about the
result which to be nearly ripe for
ton. If the islanders make up their minds to seek the
protection of our flag, Government will not hesitate
then to take the subject under consideration This is the
natural Of things, and it shows that need
fbusterism to bring about those expansions of territory
which all intelligent must later, be
accomplished
Our mission is to extend the area Of republican liberty
by giving to the world practical and demonstrave proof
of its excellence When applications made for annex
aton it becomes then to look interests in
deciding the question Although Government has had
nothing to do in bringing about the state Of things which
seem likely soon to result in application from the
Sandwich Islands for annexation assured by the
doctrines of President Pierces inaugural as we'll by
the American sentiment of the Administration, that the
application will receive prompt consd sration. We can.
not moment suppose that the viii be seriously
embarrassed by the outrageous pretensons in the
protest Of the French and British Consuls The answer
Of the American Commissioner Mr. SEVERANCE, is full
and conclusive reply to those pretensions and have
to doubt that his sentiments will be cordially
approved by the Administration"
All pretcRSions are held to be outrageous
save our own. But our present purpose was simply
to introduce the pregnant communication which fol-
lows and to that we leave the subject to-day.
QUERY.
Mcssrs GALES & SEAToN As you arc presumed
to be always "posted up on all questions of con-
stiuonal Interpretation, wish respectfully to in
qure whether or not the caption of our Federal
Constitution, which describes it as The Constitu-
ton Of the United States Of america" is an inte-
grail part Of said instrument, designed to define the
territorial limits of its purview All copies of the
Constitution which | remember to have seen are
provided with this specific title, intended, as | al
ways supposed, to give ca local habitation and
name" to the United States for which the Constitu-
ton that follows was framed.