Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-12-19
Thirst for Territory.

ana lnueeu among HOol A'i''N-'' $1,000
that a great extent of territory increases
its wealth and power. The idea that has
been held out to the populace of the
United States, and which has been advo
Gated in the halls Of Congress, in political
clubs, and from the stump of the pol
itician, that it is the duty of our govern
ment to appropriate to itself all the land
which joins US, is an erroneous one, and
fraught with great mischief. Not content
with the possession of the best part of
the Western continent and exercising a
very important influence over the re-
maiHder, there is a large majority Of our
cOuntrymen who are for grasping the
isles of the sea and annexing them to our
already extended empire. They wish to
seize Cuba, steal the Sandwich Islands,
and are ready to engage in broil to gain
the possession, of handful Of small
islands on the coast of South America,
fit for nothing only as a roost for birds.
Such is the spirit that is abroad. This
is called " Young America" This, says
Young America" is "Manifest Desti-
n.y." They preach that with one stride
We must step across the continent, no
matter whose rights are interfered with,
place one foot upon the shores of the
Atlantic and the other upon the rocky
walls which break the onward flow of
the Pacific, and then stretching out our
brawney arms hold them suspended over
China and Japan until fitting time ar
rives, then with one mighty sweep bring
them to the bosom of tender hearted
"Uncle Sam"
Westward ho, the star of empire
takes its way" has been the cry but the
tune has been somewhat changed of late
years. Our attention is now turned to a
different point of the compass. South
ward Manifest Destiny" is now leading
us. Cuba, the "Queen of the Antilles"
is at times coaxed, coquetted with, bribed
and bullied, as suits the caprice or is
likely to enhance the success of those
who covet her. Central America is rev.
olutionised, or rather is overrun by q
horde of land pirates, who, too lazy to
work and too proud to beg, collect in
bands and subsist by robbing a tribe Of
half naked and half-civilized natives. In
companies of dozen or more, if caught
in acts like these, their bodies would grace
the gallows for piracy, and their names
handed down to posterity on the records
Of the " Criminal Calendar" but in bands
Of a few hundreds or q few thousands
they are dignifed by the name of army
the work in which they are engaged hon
ored as a revolution; they receive tn,
huzzas Of the nation, are blessed witt
the benedictions of party and receive ali
from our people TO help them override
gang of sayages, that the banner of free
dom. may wave over a country of slapes
This is the phase which a certain POI
ton of the American people have beel
for years endeavoring to give to the poll
tics of the country, these the principle
which are sought to be instilled into tn
minds Of all Young Americans" An,
for what purpose? Is it to give u
strength at home and widen our infuenc
abroad? Is it to add to the nationa
wealth, or what are the objects of thes
incessant appeals to the covetousness c
the American people? To all these ques
tions we answer yes.
But let us turn to a few pages in til
history of nations, and see if territoris
dominion in any instance ever added on
iota to its security. Go back to the day
OF the great Alexander, trace the histor
Of his conquests from the time of his frs
victory to his last triumph, then look g
it few years after his death and Sc
what became of them. When his wal
were ended and the blood had ceased t
flow from the wounds of the millions b
had slaughtered, when the flames ha
expired over sacked and burned cite
himself and army surfeited with victor
after victory, his empire began to wan
and not much longer than he was wa
ring with the nations did his empire hol
together and it was parceled out anon
his generals.
So with Rome. While her sway wa
limited to the seven hills she stands upo
her liberty was in less danger than whe
she was the boosted mistress of tn
known world. Her career under til
reign of the great Caesars was briIliar
and dazzling. Her citizens glorifed tn
Eternal City," and worshipped almo.
as a God him who wore the imperial pul
pie. Nations looked on and wondered
wondered that the few could conquer ii
many, and astonished that city coul
destroy great kingdoms and dictate tern