The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1859-08-25
ACQUISITION Of Territory.

ACQUISITION Of Territory.
The treaty which is reported to have been made
between our Government and Jareuz on behalf of
the Mexican Government, is evidently 10 pave
the way fer the further acquisition of territory in
the South, and the object of sdch acquisition is
the creation of more Slave States. we find the
following article in the Washington Republic
which is SO near what would say the sab
ject that we transfer it to our editorial columns
Tie ambitious projects Of Democratic polit-
clans Of the South and which they expect to car.
~ out if successful in the Presidential election of
1860, contemplate nothing less than such an ac-
cession of Slave States to the Union az will as
sure to the representatives of Pro Slavery inter
ests an overw helming preponderance of political
power in every department of the Federal Gov
eminent. We are confident that the magnifcence
OF their programme is not duly appreciated by the
great majority Of Northern men. Let no one
hastily pronounce the declaration extravagaut,
that thy hope to add to the Union not less than
THIRTY SLAVE STATES. And let one
fall into the fatal error of treating these hopes
ifthey believe any such exist-as the mere visions
Of enthusiastic brains which in no combination
OF circumstances can be practically realized.
The Southern Democratic politicians are almost
unanimously in favor of the acquisition and an
nexaion of Mexico and Central America al we'll
as Cuba, they have been too candid in the expires
sion of their desires to leave us any room to
doubt. They have at least reasonable prospect
of attaining these ends in the event of their sue
cess in the Presidential election of 1860, no
VINO duly appreciates the present condition of
those countries, and who will not obstinately shut
his eyes upon the lessons taught by past po-
litical history, ought to doubt.
We assume that if the Democrats elect Pres
ident in 1860, the same party will probably have
a majority of Representatives in the Thirty sew
euth Congress-for the state of public sen
timent that would produce the result. would
be very likely to produce the other. In the pres
ent condition of Mexico, or 10 any condition
which she has any earthly chance of assuming
within the next three four years, can
doubt that she would fall an easy prey to this
Government, should the Executive and Legisla
live branches concur in desire to absorb her
That end could be easily accomplished by an open
war of conquest, for which it would be no difficult
matter to get up plausible pre,ext; aud still
more easy, perhaps by espousing the cause of
some political adventurer in Mexico, who would
be willing to transfer the whole country to for
n sufficient consideration, he had been
established in power by our Intervention in his be
half. Nothing but the interposition of some pow
erful European Government could prevent us from
appro pratpg Mexico when and how we please
and England, the only European power that
would be likely to interpose, is now disposed to
favor the project, as the only means of securing
the payment of her large claims against the Mex
lean Government. As to the petty Republics Of
Central America, every one knows that they
could not resist for a moment determination OF
the part of our Government to extend our domin
ion them.
We admit that the acquisition of Cuba is not
so clearly within the scope of our power, aud thai
there may be some doubt whether a Democratic
President, with Democratic Congress to bach
him. would be able to accomplish that object
during the next Presidential term But with Id.
acquisition of Mexico and Central America, it is
easy to see where the assumed number of thirty
new States are to come from, without taking Ca
ba into the account at all.
Mexico herself, if we are not mistaken, i, COM
posed Of twenty-four distinct States In case OF
her annexation to this Government these twenty
four separate Sta.es would doubtless claim tha,
their separate organizations should continue to
be recognized; and the same policy that dict aed
their acquisition, would dictate their admission as
separate States into the Union. Central America
would at least furnish three States more - and
then it would not be necessary TO make the con-
templated division of Texas into four States. to
complete the round number of thirty - leaving
the Cherokee country. New Mexico and Arizona,
as well as Cuba, wholly out of the account
1t is true that Negro Slavery does not now ex-
list in Mexico or Central America But unse,
the bred Scott decision, which is recognized even
oy the Douglas Democracy as the law fthe land
1t would be established by the very act of annex
alton As ell the territory embraced in these
countries lie in a latitude congenia TO the ;,st;
tuition Of Negro Slavery. and as the standard Of
"oraity among the present inhabitants is not
very elevated it is but reasonable to suppose that
they would readily acquiesce 10 its Introduction
Even if few of the more northern States os
Mexico, on their admission into the Union shea
determine to discard an institution that had haa,
imposed upon them while In a territorial eons-
tion, their number would be too small to affect
the grand result, of An overwhelming preponder
ance of Slave States in the Confederacy. The re-
opening Of the African Slave trade would be a
necessary auxiliary to the accomplishment. of
these stupendous prof scts-and hence the new.
porn AeA with which that policy is advocated.
The result of so large an accession of Sla~e
States would probably be a division of the T. :
ion. The result however, would not be deem
deplored BY the men who have seen these exnan.