The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-03-30
No. 33.

WHO ARE FIL1BUsrERs.- has SEN
tentiously declared that the Anglo-Saxons and
their offshoots have been stealers of land and
shedders of blood from the remotest periods of
their history. The remark may be true, but is
entirely too limited in its application. Few
nations. whether of Saxon Scandinavian, Gel
tic or Sclayonic origin, have attained any promi-
nent position in the civilized world, without
developing the same lust Of territorial acquisi-
ton, and the same sanguinary propensity Eng
land as the most powerful realm In Europe,
has usually been considered the great exempler
and model of filibusterism, but England is sur
rounded by galaxy Of imitators. If she has
forced her way to India and annexed an almost
boundless territory and countless millions of
population; if in the western continent she has
extended her rule over Canada and portions Of
the West Indies; if in the broad Pacific she has
founded a new empire, and elsewhere has car
red her flag in all directions, till the map OF
both hemispheres is dotted over with her powers
and possessions, other nations are only behind
her in the strength and ability, not in the desire
to add to their dominions. France once held a
eoodly portion of North America, and still
owns important colonies in the Caribbean sea,
while of late years she has put forth all her
yigor in conquering and keeping Algeria, which
is the key that must unlock the treasures OF
northern Africa. Austria has placed her bloody
finger on the fairest portion of Italy, and sub
iugates that country to her rule, despite its ire
quent and frantic struggles for release. Russia
is steadily encroaching on the domains OF the
Circassian, Wrestling millions OF acres IN northern
Asia from the grasp of the barbarian, and adding
them to her already unwelded empire. Even
Sweden has been infected with the territorial
fever, and BY force or fraud has incorporated
Norway into ber dominions Everywhere the
strong prey upon the feeble, and states and
sovereignities are absorbed and disappear
We of the United States are constantly re
preached by Europeans with our disposition to
forage on the rights Of others, but IN point OF
fact we are far more innocent than our cenSors
1t is difficult to conceive government more
moderate more studiouslY careful to avoid
offense more unwilling to trespass on the prlvl-
eges Of others than our own. Situated as we
are, in near proximity to countries character
lied by salubrious and delightful climates, fer
tility Of soil, splendid seaports, and every possi-
BILE advantage which nature can bestow, 1t IS
amazing how we have thus far resisted the
temptation to colonize and annex. 1t is our
firm conviction that had Great Britain been
placed in the same relations to Mexico, Cuba
and Central America as the United States.
every one of these possessions would have long
since contributed to swell the aggregate OF
English power. Yet we have respected the
imbecile rule and effects nationality of all them.
The State of Texas presents solitary example
of successful private filibusterism, while por-
tons of Mexico such as California and New
Mexico, now forming integral parts OF our terri
tory, have been acquired by us, SO to speak,
accidentally not torn violently from the mother
country. but obtained at the close of war by
peaceful negotiation and purchase. lnreallty,
invincble reluctance to engage IN national pro
iects of ACKNOWLEDGMENT would seem to be one
of the weaknesses attendant upon our peculiar,
! form of government. As a republic, we know
/ that we are amenabe to the preludlces and dis
! like of every nation subject to monarchlcal rule
and hence We evince a Jealous and overstrained
respect for other governments, and especially
for those which assmilate merely IN name to
our own-seeking invariably to convince the
world of the intrinsic Justice, magnanlmlty and
GOOD sense of a republic.
There are undoubtedly many citizens OF the
United States who appreciate the advantages
of territorial expansion, and would gladly wit
ness an organized effort by our government to
increase its broad domains by the annexation
of those wretched mockeries of republics which
occupy material portion of South America;
but the policy of every administration has been
hostile to these attempts. and whenever private
adventure and enterprise have planned the
work, this mousing policy mas uniformly inter
fered to thwart or defeat it. To call the Anne
rican people flibusters is therefore mlsnomer.
/ AS individuals wemay yearn to plant the Anne
rican fac on foreign soil, butltls barren wish
which has thus far striyen fruitlcssly forgratii
cation. AS a government we are anti l-fIlbus-
terish to the last degree. Every appeal to the
federal authority to initiate the policy which has
rendered England formidable and is enriching
and Strengthening France, falls stlll-6orn against
| its stolid Wis nertioe We see no proximate hope
of change. Ifever the United States become
possessed of Mexico, or Cuba, or Central Ame-
RIGA, it will be through circumstances almost
beyond our control; through that inherent law
in the history of the human race which DEGREES
disappearance and annihilation to those scions
of. the great family Of nations that are destitute
of self-sustainng power. Nodoubt the period
will arrive, in the fullness of time, when the
| Anglo-Saxon mind will pervade and control
the entire continent; but that period might be
fastened several generations were our govern
ment, dlSCafdlng nuSty tlduttloiis eAu ooeol0tC
axioms of political ethics, boldly and bravely
to inaugurate system of energy, independence;
self-reliance and indifference to the clamors and
complaints of distant nations, n. 0. Bee.
The French SLAVE TRADE.-Washingto
letter writer's have been induced to believe--of
have been instructed to say-that Napoleon,
the relentless, iron-hearted dictator Of France
and England, had changed his nature and his
plans, and repented of having reopened the
Slave He is about to retire from the business
and Join the anti-slavery ranks with all the
/ fervor of a convert, says our believing cotem-
norary of the New York Times. lfthe Times
has studied the silent, steady inexorable policy
of Napoleon, it will find no change in his pro-
gramme. He Staying the foundation of French
Colonies with the keels of his French war-steam-
ers The Antilles and the isthmus will be
What is better than colonies--tropical append
aces which will feed French commerce and
create new markets for French manufactures.
These can be called into existence only by sup
| I,;,c, fha human sinews of production to those