The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-11-17
LIBERALITY TOWARDS ENGLAND

Hostility to England has heretofore been re-
garded As one Of the most conspicuous virtues
of the counterfeit Democracy; but the organ
of the party the Washington Union, has re-
Gently exhibited degree of liberality to the
mistress of the seas, which il truly startling.
The instance of generous munifcence to which
we refer, is no less than proposition to cede
to England the whole Continent of Africa
South of the Great Desert including of course
the Republic Of Liberia, the Colony of Cape
Palmas, and other Africo American settlements
on the coast The shrewd and sapient organ
grinders, though entirely disinterested in this
Offer of continent to q friendly neighbor
throws out an intimation that quid pro quo
would be the naturalist thing in the world to
expect in return The hint is given that II
England would only attend to her own bust
ness, and let us. alone in our schemes Of Sla
very extension, by the annexation of Cuba,
Mexico, &c. Jonathan and John Bull would
be the hest friends in the world. Now, in an
abstract point of view the advice is good We
have heard of a man who made fifty thousand
dollars by attending to his own business and
fifty thousand more by letting other peoples
alone. But it may be doubted whether an
agreement like that proposed by the Washing.
ton Union for the two greatest powers of the
earth would work well in practice, or prove
beneficial to the cause of civilization. 1t is no
less than proposition of non-interierence with
each others schemes of piracy, conquest, and
dominion The editor says;
at is a lamentable mistake in British policy
to place its power and plans in antagonism
with those of the United States The two first
free powers of the earth should be co-operators
not rivals, in universal influence England
makes and unmakcs the princes of Asia at
pleasure, without 30 much as the hinderance
of an ill-wish on our part. All Africa, South
Of the Desert, is falling into her charge and
so far from gainsaying her progress there, we
are ready to recruit her infant colonies with
our million of free colored population, and to
help her, with strong and intelligent hand,
build up in that rich untouched treasure house
splendid colonial empire
"The diplomacy and resources which Eng
land is lavshing in futile and selfdestroying
antagOnism, to the advance Of the Union on
this continent would, if rightly administered
create for her vast colonial power in the mag.
nhcent and teeming wilderness of Africa
| When will her rulers awake from their Elusive
dream Of staying the resistless tide of Ameri.
can advance, and cease to expend her strength
in useless, if not dangerous, opposition? Let
her understand in season that her real reign is
not on the American continent and so adjust
her policy that she may share as a trusted
friend and firm ally in all the advantages of its
progress, instead of obstnatcly provoking its
wrath, and exhausting her energies in defend
ing herself from the consequences"
"She is now keenly anxious to preserve
Cuba for Spain, and from the United States
by converting it into an African province With
q blind pertnacity which will astOnish herself
some day when she reconsders it from high
or standpoint she lends her whole energies to
| a course which will inevitably exasperate the
Cubans to rebellion and may compel the Uni
ted States to take action in their common be-
half II is impossible for the Union to permit
people at her threshold to be blotted from
civilization and life The simplest laws of hu-
mainly and preservation will force the
head of the American family Of nations to
treat the power that attempts it as an outlaw
and assassin, and drive him from our borders.
What policy could be more stupid and perverse
than this plan, so certain to recol mischioyous-
ly on itself, of filling Cuba with garrison of
African savages under the care and direction
Of England! 1t is an attempt to plant hos
tile army in our gates, and yet escape the re-
sponsibility of the deed. 1t is not honorable in
England thus to shield herself behind the i'm
becility of Spain"
Let her understand in season that her real
reign is not in the American Continent" says
the Union Do We understand the official or
gan to declare in favor Of annexng Canada, as
well as Cuba? The inhabitants Of Canada
and the other colonies North of the United
States are English, IRISH French and Ameri-
cans with their descendants. They have al
ways been accustomed to free institutions, and
for the most part speak our language. In a
word they are homogeneous with ourselves,
and their annexation would add greatly to the
strength and stability of our institutions in
peace or war The Canadian border is now
our most assailable frontier, and has always
been the principal point Of attack in our wars
with England. IL is true that the wealthy.
populous powerful, and free States in that
quarter of the Union are sure guaranty of
their safety, in any emergency but the annex
alton Of the British provinces would render
peace perpetual by the in,incible strength we
should thereby acquire. The annexation OF
slavebolding States on the contrary brings
with it so much more Weaknesses much more
helples-ness to lie defended by Northern free
men, and with Northern money.
If the Union is really anxious TO strength |
en- our country by the extension Of its territory,
fitreally wishes to make Of this country great
homogeneous Republic Of freemen, it should
favor the annexation Of the British, rather than |
the Spanish Provinces, or Mexican States. But
we muchmstske the tone of the organ, il it's
music shall be employed in celebrating Te
Deum for the acquisition of Free Territory
Gen. Pierce himself Northern man as he is
from the very Canadian border, would sustain
a serious shock in his nervous system, by hear
ing such dscordant notes on the banks of the
Potomac.
This is progressive age and we are pro-
gresuvc people It is now only seventy-seven
years since the Declaration Of Independence
and yet such is our progress that there is now
no greater heresy than the freedom proclaim
ed by our ancestors and no happier subject
for contemptuous ridicule and scornful nvec.
tive, than the mAxims of universal liberty con-
tained in that instrument 1t would greatly
surprise us II the dominant party could be
brought TO accept Of Canada a. free gift
Such is the ascsndency which the slave power
has acquired in its councils, and such the con.
fidence with which the shareholders plant their