The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-03-31
ANNEXATION OF CANADA.

in the Upper province. He has issued circu-
lar, recommending or memorializing the Paria-
ment, in a certain contingency, to pass resolu-
tons and take measures for the separation of
Canada from the British Crown, and its imme-
date annexation to the United States This
proposition to annex Northern territory to the
Union will be received with derision in large
portion of the country, and we are sorry to say
that Northern journals, protesting love for
free institutions, viii be ready to turn it into
ridicule The same journals, and indeed all
parties, have recently expressed a desire TO ac-
ouire Southern slavehoding country, at cost
of many millions of dollars. 1t is not surprising
that the area of Slavery has been constantly
spreading, under the patronage of the Federal
Government, when Northern men Of all parties
have been uniformly ready, for mere party con-
siderations, TO assist in pushing forward such
projects, while they have been entirely indiffer-
ent about the acquisition of Northern territory.
The clamor raised by the South, and kept up
for more than a half century, in behalf of an
nexing territories over which they desired TO
extend Slavery, has been so incessant, and the
demands of the South so imperative, that it has
been the practice of all parties TO yield to it, as
matter of prime necessity. 1t has been con-
ceded, on all hands, that the annexation Of
Southern territory is some how or other high
duty of the state, which no party can oppose,
or even neglect, without mourning the charge of
incivism. Even the Republican party has ex-
hibited weakness on this point, and prone
ness to fall into the old current. The opposi-
ton made to the Presidents schemes of con-
Quest and annexation, stimulated as they are
Enthusiastically by the slave interest for Slavery
extension, has for the most part been placed
on special grounds of objection TO the mode and
time selected for accomplishing the objects
aimed at Few have been bold enough to take
ground against the annexation of more slave
territory, or to demand, as an indispensable con-
dition Of annexation, that Slavery be abolished
As TO Northern acquisitions, the idea seems
never to enter into the calculations of partisans
The reason Of this singular partiality for South
ern ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, which party organizations
have exhibited in the past history of the coun-
Try, is TO be found in the continual striving of
Shareholders for territorial expansion on the
one hand, and the utter Indifference, on the
other, ofthe Northern people, to the advantages,
political and commercial, Of extending the area
ofFreedom.
If we consult the national welfare, instead of
the exigencies Of parties the singula-ity of this
feature of American politics will be striking.
We say nothing against the acquisition of Lou
isiana; for, although it was urged upon the at
tention of the Federal Government by the peo-
pie of the Southwest, and especially by Ken
lucky, accompanied by threat of secession,
we are willing to admit that it was highly
valuable acquisition, in a national point Of
view; and that it has redounded, and is des-
tined 10 rebound, far more to the extension Of
Freedom than of Slavery.
We begin, therefore, with Florida, as the
first of the series of ProSlavery schemes of
sectional aggrandizement 1t was purchased
at cost of five millions with ostensibly nation
al objects in view. but in reality to extend
Slavery, TO catch the runaway slaves who had
taken refuge in its wild swamps, and to prevent
the escape of others. In addition to the original
cost, the Government has expended between
forty and fifty millions more in the effort TO
drive handful of Indians out of the hammocks
and everglades, not because we desired to oc-
cupy them, but with an eye single to the origi-
nal purpose Of the purchase, viz: TO break up
the harbor for runaway negroes.
The acquisition Of Texas was prompted by
the desire of strengthening Slavery and its in
Auence in the Federal Government 1t was
settled by the shareholders with this object in
view, and, with the aid of a corrupt and unscru-
pulous Federal Administration, it was brought
into the Union in order to increase the politi-
cal influence of the Shareholders.
We will not undertake to say that Texas was
not, in many respects, a valuable acquisition.
1t fine country, and the rulers of the great
est nations of the earth would be proud to add
1t to their dominions. But it was in no degree
necessary acquisition. 1t was, prior to its
settlement, in the possession of a weak State,
which had attempted feeble imitation of our
republican system and after it became an
independent Republic, in the hands of Ameri,
cans, it was not in situation to give the slight
est annoyance TO our people. Its annexation,
therefore, was a mere gratuity to the slave
power, conceded as a sop TO Cerberus, as tenn
porary expedient for quieting its importunate
demands.
If we turn TO the Northern frontier we shall
witness the evidences of a very different public
policy. We shall see the god Terminus re
treating from the position assigned him by oul
revolutionary forefathers. On the Northeast
we permitted the excelsior of the Madawasks
territory although the plain letter of the treaty
of 1888 conceded it to las and on the North
west, we ceded away TO powerful monarchy
a territory larger than Virginia, and as fruit
fnl of gold as California.
In any point of view, these plain historical
facts are far from creditable to American char
acter. or Illustrative of the patriotism and cour
are of our Pro-Slavery rulers during the las
forty years. On the one hand, we have beer
continually eneroaching upon our weak south
.srn neighbors, Spain and Mexico. On the sther
we have twice yielded up territory to our pow
erful northern neighbor, England. This policy
of aggression on one side, and concession on
the other, has been prompted by one of two mo
fives, viz By desire 10 extend Slavery, and
curtail Freedom; or, by overbearing injustice
on the one hand, and cowardly submission on
the other. Taking either horn of the dilemma
the Pro-Slavery rulers of the country stand
convicted of incompetency and unftness for the
high duties they have assumed.
While the South is getting up iilibusterins
expeditions for the conquest of Cuba, and while