Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-07-29
GERRIT SMITH ON ANNEXATION.

On tho 9th ult. Gerrit Smith made a speech on
the Mexican treaty and the Monroe doctrine, which
he has kindly sent us. Some of the sentiments OF
the speech We confess, have surprised us. Mr..
Smith is a thorough annexationist. lie would
have the whole of Mexico and Cuba, provided
they can be got honestly.
Mr.. Smith .motive for acquisition is, that which
surprises us. With regard to the annexation Of
Mexico, he says:
Poor Mexico needs to he brought under radi-
cal, Transforming influences. Indeed che is per-
ing for the lack Of them. 1t is for her life, that
she ceases to be an independent nation, and not
only so, but that she become also a part Of our nj
ton"
"Our nation" would doubtless exert a transfer
ming influence upon Mexico, but it would be done
by ensrafting upon her present Ignorance and po-
iitical slavery, our own peculiar institution, as has
been the fact in regard to Texas, Utah, and New
Mexico, and as will be in the case Of the territory
just purchased Of Santa Anna. Mr.. Smith did
not vote for the acquisition of this new territory,
because the price paid was too large. Doubtless
it was too much for the land acquired. But we
almost wonder that when tho consideration of
radically Transforming" so large a portion of
Mexico had been thrown into the scale, it had not
secured his vote for annexation. OF Cuba, Mr..
Smith says:
Let Cuba como to us, if she wishes to come.
She belongs to us, by force Of her geographical
position. Let her come, even if she shall not
previously abolish her slavery. | am willing to
risk the subsection of her slavery to a common
fate with our own. Slavery must be n short-lived
thing in this land. Under our laws, rightly inter
preted, and under the various mighty Influences at
work for liberty in this land, slavery is to come to
a speedy termination. God grant, that it may be
q peaceful one!
l would not force Cuba into our nation, nor pay
S25Q,00O,000 for her, nor $500, 900, 00O-no, mol
even SlOO, 10000 But when she wishes to come,
| would have her come and that j may be more
clearly understood on this point, | add, that
would not have her wait, always, for the consent
of the Spanish Government. Now, if this is fill
n tustefism, then all l have to say is make til,
. most Of itW tGroat laughter.l
c How the annexation of Cuba as a slave State
> can fail to delay the work of emancipation wit
+ US, Mr.. Smith does not explain. The stakeholder
desire Cuba as the means Of increasing and pei
C petuating their power, and Mr.. Smith would Civ
s it them. Mr.. Smith has certainly a much bette
opinion of our laws even with fright %interpret'
ton" than VIC arc able to entertain. lie seem
!. to think them as anti-slavery as the constitution
C On this question Mr.. Smith is practically with tn
stakeholder. One cause, doubtless, of the fave
o with which they view him.
h While slavery rules as now, we would have tn
r states oftAis union less, rather than more numerous
we would cut off she Shareholders rather than anne
+, to their power and tyranny, the oppressed of Nc:
leo and Cuba. We would diminish their territor
d when it can be honestly done,' rather tina
a doom more by annexation to the curse of slavery
Mr.. Smiths speech contains some truth, as f
re example the following paragraph;
Never has there been so selfdeceived a natl,
MS our own. That we are a nation for liberty
y among our widest %conceits. We are not n matte
for liberty. | refer not, now, TO the terrible bl
u Of slavery upon our country. ] refer to our prid
FL No proud man is for liberty. No proud nation
for liberty. Liberty-precious boon of Heaven
is meek and reasonable. She admits that s
belongs to ALTO the high and the low; the ri
and the poor; the block and the white-and, til
d. she belongs to them all equally. The liberty
1t which Il proud man contends is n spurious libert
k. and such is the liberty for which a proud natl
to contends, 1t is tyranny; for it invades and strik
In down equal rights. But true liberty acknowlcdg
ng and defends the equal rights of all men, and
ed nations"