The Nevada journal., 1856-10-03
ANNEXATION AND ExpANsroN.-Three

own Republic are discomfort with their
boundaries. A fever of annexation
RACES within them all. We look with
Jealousy and condemnation, if not upon
the grasping avarice of the autocrat,
certainly upon that of our commercial
rival. British rule we associate with
anything which is wanting in justice and
| tyrannical When we hear of an extern
sion of British sway in the East, it is a
fruitful theme for regrets and denuncia-
tions. We characterize our own acqui-
| sitions, as the spread of liberal ideas and
extension of the area of freedom. We
areaccustomed toregard the acquisitions
of ourselves as so much gained for civil
lization and liberty-of England, as SO
much more given over to hopeless op-
preston. Perhaps with some modifca-
ton this sentiment may be correct. The
true sense of the American people if
properly expressed might, and probably
would make this prevailing opinion of
ours more correct than it is. But if it
can be proven that so far as improve
ments, the advancement of the arts of
civilized life, and the liberation of the
people of an acquired province, from the
burthens of taxation and oppression of
government, the British have been the
most successful, it will only prove that
| the real sense of the American people
does not obtain in the affairs of State.
In a late number of Blackuood, article,
India under Lord Dalhousie," is given
in clear and concise form the efforts of
British rule to disseminate the blessings
of civilization throughout India, and the
beneficial results of the policy adopted,
on the subjugated provinces.
Like the ancient Romans, wherever
the British have gone, they have con-
structed roads, those great channels and
outlets to inland commerce. The result
has been, the countries penetrated have
received the benefits of settled govern.
ment, their natural resources have been
developed, new ideas have been extern
ded, and murder and robbery suppressed
Before the Punjaub, one province in
India, had been six years under the
domination of England, it appears from
the authority we quote, that 1349 miles
of roads were constructed within its bor-
ders by the government, $50 miles were
under construction, 24S7 traced and
5272 surveyed.
The grand trunk road from Lahore to
Peshawur is 264 miles in length, carried
over 1o3 large stone bridges, and 46O
minor ones. An iron suspension bridge
is thrown across the Indus by single
span of $50 feet. The total cost of this
trunk road alone was near two million
and half dollars.
Canals for commerce and immigration
have been built, regardless of expense,
over the province. One main line and
branches is 40 miles in length Water
alone is wanting in India to make the
wilderness and desert places flourish
with verdure, and this the British gov
ernment has been unwearied in its ex-
ertions to furnish. The fruits of its be-
nign influence are everywhere SEEN
The country is cleared of banditti, the
extortionate demands of petty princes
are no longer felt, the people are lighter
taxed by one-fourth than under native
rule; they are prospecting beyond pre-
cedent social morality, comfort and
sanitory cleanliness prevails, where
once was murder, pillage, ignorance and
squalid poverty. In the first FIVE years
of British rule, more than $4,000 900
were expended in the Pungaub for the
improvement of the province. All this
has been done for colony thousands of
miles from the central government, a
conquered state, not an integral and
represented portion of the British gov
ernment.
1t may now be well to inquire how
the conduct of our own government
will compare with this. California has
been eight years an American territory,
the precise length of time Lord Dalhou-
sie's administration lasted in India. She
has contributed six hundred millions of
dollars to the wealth of the Union. She
has supported herown government; she
has defended herself against the Indian
tribes, and has never been repaid. She
has built her own roads, and dug her
own canals. She has taxed herself
enormously to make herself an honor to
the American Union