Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-04-27

Whole, when Mr.. Smith, OF Virginia, delvored
q speech in support of the Nebraska Bill. He
was followed by Mr.. Barry, Of Mississippi, on
the same side.
THE COST OF THE UNION.
Oar readers understand by this time what
we think Of the value of the Union, CONNER
cially and morally, to the free States and the
slaveholding States
The Tribune, extending its views, furnishes
some articles on the cost of the Union to the
North. On this point we must dissent gem
orally from the views taken by that paper. II
charges to the North the cost of all our Terri
torial acquisitions since the formation Of the
Union, and the alleged losses sustained by low
Tariffs. This involves the assumption that
the interests Of the free States and free labor
are adverse to the expansion Of Territory, and
associated with the policy Of protection.
Against this assumption we enter our pro-
test. Independent Democrats have no sympa-
thy with policy that would set perpetual
bounds to the area of Free Labor, or compel it
When they consider the value of our free insti-
buttons, their benefcent effects upon all inter
ests, the peculiar adaptation of our complex
Federal and State and Municipal Systems to
extensive, well-ordered, and peaceful empire,
and the vast accessions our free population is
constantly receiving from over-crowded Eu-
rope, they feel that Territorial expansion is q
necessity necessity that true craftsmanship
should steadily prepare for, by wise, peaceful,
and honorable efforts.
When the Tribune says that the policy of
the North looks homeward Southern policy
looks outward" we would correct the state
mcnt by saying that the policy of the North
looks homeward and outward, qualifying itself
for outward development by inward growth,
and promoting the latter by the former. The
railroads and canals, the mines, manufactures,
and cities, Of the New England and Middle
States, are illustrative Of the policy that looks
homeward; the States of the West and North
west, the settlement Of Oregon, the organiza-
ton Of California, noble results of the policy
that looks outward The whole history Of the
country, from its first settlement to its Colonial
organization, from that time to the Revolution,
and from the Revolution to our own times,
shows that Northern People have been as in
tent upon territorial extension as home develop
ment. The vigor of one has but quickened
the appetite for the other. Did not the arti-
Giles Of the Confederation make express provis-
ion for the accession Of the Canadas? Was not
their acquisition a favorite object with North
ern People during the last war--an object that
might have been accomplished but for tho i'm
beciIty Of the Federal Administration? Were
not the People of New England ready to 60 to
war for mere slip Of Territory claimed by
Maine and the People Of Vermont and New
York restrained with difficulty from joining
with tho patriots, few years since, for the
revolution Of the Canadas? Is not their an
nexation still popular idea in the North and
West? And yet, we talk Of the policy Of the
North looking to the improvement Of what il
has, not to tho acquisition Of what it has not
The idea Of charging upon the North the
cost Of the purchase of Louisiana and Florida,
az heavy item for which no equivalent has
been received, is rather original. Truly, il
would have been sublime policy to leave in
the possession Of Q foreign nation, Florida and
Louisiana, commanding the Gulf of Mexico,
the Mississippi river, and the Mississippi valley
constituting the seat Of an empire larger than
the original States, which in the hands Of
France or England would not only have cut us
off from the Pacific ocean, but hemmed us
within the Allegheny mountains, bounding us
on every side by an alien Power, with interests
conflicting with our own, and compelling us tc
resort to nm oppressive military establishment
and strong Government, for self-protection
hundred fold has the Union been repaid
for those purchases, in money value, in com
mercial advantages, in the blessings Of peace
Independence, and exemption from Civil Des-
potism. That Freedom and Free Labor did
not secure more, that Slavery usurped Florida
and q portion of Louisiana, was owing 10 moth.
ing in the Union intrinsically wrong. but was
tho fault Of the Northern People. They had the
power, and might have consecrated the whole
Of those acquisitions to Freedom, ~ the Con-
gress Of tho Confederation had oonsecrated the
Northwest Territory but they were false "a
themselves and their institutions
And now, II they suffer Nebraska, part o.
the original Louisiana purchase, enough TO CON-
sttiute some dozen new States, devoted TO Free
Labor BY an act thirty three years old, 70 he
wrssted from them, when they have . North