The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-07-20
TERRITORIAL EXPANSION THE POSITION OF
TEE HON. GERRIT SMITH.


borders Territorial expansion is the law O.
its being. Wise craftsmanship win recognise
this law--just ssatesmanship win labor to Sc
cure its fulflment in such way as shall re-
spect the rights of neighboring natonp and
prevent it from being prostituted to sectional
and wicked purposes.
The Slave Interest comprehends the power Of
this law, and would become its sole admins
TRAITOR IL understands the strength of the
popular passion for more Territory, and would
make that feeling tributary to its own selfish
schemes.
Conservative men, unfriendly to Slavery
and yet shrinking from direct issue with it
have sought to restrict it by opposing the ex-
tension of our Territory; thereby arraying
against them the Supporters of the Slave Pow.
er on one hand, and the Champions of Pro,
gress on the other, while at the same time
they failed to command the sympathies or CO.
operation of the more earnest foes of Slavery
To this class belonged Daniel Webster and
his disciples.
Another class of men, disliking Slavery, but
with no fixed principles in relation to it, car
ried away by visions of Territorial aggrand-
izement, have never hesitated at any scheme
of acquisition, no matter although projected
by the Slave Interest, and in all probability to
be made subservient to its intolerable preten-
sions.
To this class belong General Cas- and such
Democrats as he represents.
The Anti-Slavery men of the country, Or
ganized hitherto as the Free or Independent
Democracy, recognise fully the Law of Terri
torial expansion and its necessity, but they
claim that it's operations must always be con-
trolled by Justice, always directed to the ex-
tension of the area of Free Labor and Free
Labor Institutions. They respect the popular
passion for Territorial growth, they sympathizs
with it, but would consecrete it's energies to
Freedom. They go for the annexation of free
territory, by honest means, and for keeping it
free by adequate means; and they go, too,
for the annexation of slave territory, when
otherwise expedient provided that Slavery be
prohibited therein before or at the moment Of
acquisition.
Their position is precisely antipodal to that
Of shareholders, who seek the annexation Of
slave territory, peaceably if possible, forcibly il
necessary, with the determination to keep it
slave territory at all hazards; and also for the
annexation of free territory, but, only, when
there is fair prospect of planting slavery
therein, and with the paramount purpose to
establish it therein,
These four classes, it might be thought, fair
ly comprise all the citizens of the United
States-and so we thought until we read the
following paragraph in the speech of Gerrit
Smith in relation to the Gadsden Treaty.
In reply to a remark of Mr.. Benton, he said
"But, with all Difference to that distinguish
ed gentleman who is even more full Of learn
ing and experience than he is of years, | am
willing to admit, that the more land we get
from Mexico (by righteous means) the better
| would, that the treaty gave Us whole prov
inces; yes, and even all Mexico.
"Poor Mexico needs to be brought under
radically Transforming influences. Indeed, she
is perishing for the lack of them. 1t is for her
life, that she cease to be an independent ma
ton; and not only So but also, that she become
part of our nation. For, say what we will
of it's faults and Grimes land look with very
great sadness of heart upon some of them; our
nation is the mightiest of all the civihZing and
renovating agencies that are at work in the
world"
An abstract declaration or aspiration, in
itself innocent or praiscworthy, uttered in GER
tain circumstances, without proper qualifca
ton, may prove decidedly mischievous. We
fear MIR. Smith has illustrated the truth Of
this remark in the foregoing paragraph. II
might be beneficial to Mexico, were her several
States at liberty to-day to act upon PROPOSE
ton for their admission as States into this
Union-and we should apprehend no danger
under such circumstances Of the extension oil
Slavery. Those States, having excluded the
institution, would not tolerate it. But there
is no question of this kind before either coun.
try. No such policy is dreamed of. The policy
proposed by the Slave Interest is to secure 9
Southern route for Railway to the Pacific, SC
as to forward itsscheme for betting the continent
and establishing seaport on that coast; and
to obtain from Mexico through some pensioned
agent like Santa Anna, from time to time, &c
much of her territory as is fit for slave labor
and may be assimilated readily with the slave
holding section of our Republic. This is the
only practical question in regard to territorial
acquisition, SO far as our relations with Mexico
| are concerned. Now, we submit, that the un
guarded declarations of Mr.. Smith in the fore
going paragraph, SO far from initiating against
must give aid and countenance to- this policy
Had General Cass uttered them, they would
have been in keeping with the doctrines of tina
school of Progressives who claim that terrific
rial acquisition, no matter how or for wha
purpose made, is always to be welcomed. Mr.
Smith does not belong to that school; but hi.
philanthropy conducts him practically to thu
| position to which General Cass is led by hi.
patriotism.
Again-speaking of Cuba, he says:
"Let Cuba come to us, if she wishes to come
| She belongs to us, by force of her geographi
cal position. Let her come even if she shall
| not previously abolish her slavery. am will
| ing to risk the subsection of her slavery to .
| common fate with our own. Slavery must BIZ
short-lived thing in this land. Under oul
laws rightly interpreted, and under the various
| mighty influences at work for liberty in thin
land, slavery is to come to a speedy termina
ton. God grant, that it may be q peaceful
onel
III would not force Cuba into our nation, no,
pay $3.50, O0O, 900 for her, nor $500, 900, 600
no, nor even slOO,OO0,OOo. But when sh,
wishes to come, would have her come and
that may be moro clearly understood on this
point, l add, that would not have her wait
always, for the consent Of the Spanish Gov
eminent. Now, if this is Jilibus,srism, then al
have to say is, make the most Of itl''
| Great laughter