The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1860-01-26


| lima to do what she has so often threatened;
been in the habit of contemplating dissolu-
ton of the Union in certain contingencies, dis
pute this right of independent election, in
| State, whether she shall remain in the Union
or go out of it. While in it, of course, she is
bound to obey the laws it constitutionally i'm
poses. The alternative is obedience or seces-
| sion. We always denounced the foul dealing
| of the United States towards Mexico, and op-
posed the annexation Of Texas on account Of
its relation to Slavery, but never doubted its
perfect right to dispose of itself as it saw
proper. We maintained the same position as
to the right of the settlers and natives of Ore
gon to dispose of their territory.
Inrelation to right or justice then, there could
| not be the slightest objection to the submission
of proposition of annexation to each of the
sovereign States of Mexico, or to the free &C
ceptance by each of such proposition. Free
| acceptance, for each should be left perfectly
free to decide for itself, and its decision ought
| then to be respected.
The second question regards the cOnstitu-
tionGlity, on our part, of such an act. This, if
we understand the matter, has been settled by
precedent. The American People have rati
| fed the purchase, by Jefferson, of foreign ter
ritory, and the same authority has ratified the
act of the American Congress, in passing a joint
resolution for the annexation of a foreign State.
| If foreign slave State could thus be annexed,
there can be no doubt as to the power to an
mex, in a similar way, a foreign free State, or
any number of them. We shall not now go
| behind that act of Congress, and its ratifca-
| ton by the American People.
The great question to be discussed, then,
concerns the expediency of such annexation !;
| and here we must take wide range, as the
| subject is of vast importance, and embraces
many points of view.
First, as to the practicability Zone element of
expediency) of extending our Government over
this immense territory. Some may doubt but
we have always held that the peculiar political
system Of this country is specially adapted to
extended empire. State Governments will pre-.
vent the oppression of local interests by the
Central Government, and provide of themselves
efficiently for their promotion; and we can see
no reason why the great interests of peace and
war, commerce with foreign nations and be-
tween the States, the public lands, and the
treatment of the aborigines, of the whole CONT
nent, may not be as well cared for by one Gen.
trail or Federal Government, as by many. Thus
far, the extension of territory and multiplca-
ton of States, by weakening the proportionate
power of faction, and, generally, of local inter-
ests, adding to the dignity of the Federal Gov
eminent, and increasing national spirit, have
strengthened the bonds of union. The States
were in far more danger during the last war,
and before it, of falling apart, than they have
ever been since.
In few years, State, formed in Oregon,
will be knocking for admission into the Union.
By the Constitution, it is provided that the
election for President shall be held on one day
in all the States. Congress, when the State of
Oregon shall have been admitted, will be
obliged to amend the law on this subject, so that
the election may be held at an earlier day, to
allow time for the transmission of the vote in
Oregon. Last Thursday, the news was re-
ceived in this city of the arrival of Messrs.
Shaw and Bolden, at st. Louis on the 9Th in
slant, direct from Oregon. having left the from
tier settlements on the 5th Of May-ttree months
from the frontier Of the Oregon settlements to
81. Louis! And yet, no one dreams of the i'm
possibility of extending our Federal Govern
ment over Oregon. American enterprise, we
know, avaiing itself of the discoveries of mod
ern times, will, in due season, annihiate dis
lance, and bring this portion of our Pacific en-
pire in close fellowship with the old States.
Now, there is scarcely any part of Mexico,
which, even at this time, without the construc-
ton Of suitable roads, may not be reached with
in one-third Of the time required for the Jour-
ney to the mouth of the Columbia the greater
portion of it is as readily accessible as our ter
ritory between ST. Louis and the Rocky Noun
tains, and large portion of it is far more So
We go from Washington to New Orleans in
seven days; from New Orleans to Vera Cruz
in three or four; from Vera Cruz to the city of
Mexico in four more. With proper improve
ments, we shall be able to reach the city of
Mexico from the capital of the United States in
twelve or thirteen days, and by the telegraphic
wires receive intelligence from there in few
hours The city Of Mexico, be it remembered,
is in the 10Th degree of north latitude, while
the Mexican territory stretches up as high as
~ degrees; so that great portion of it lies still
nearer the United States. Yucatan, bending
upwards, as if to approximate still more close
ly, indents the Gulf to point as high as 223
degrees The truth is, glance at the map will
show that Mexico and the United States con-
stitute one geographical system, all the parts of
which may be easily made accessible to each
other, between which intelligence may be rap
idly communicated, all of which, if under one
political system, would possess remarkable
community of interests.
SO much for the practicsbility Of the project.
Let us glance at its advantages.
1t would extend the principle of free trade,
already in active operation between the States
of this Union, to nearly the whole North Amer.
lean continent.
1t would give to Mexico the principle of Re-
ligious federation, without interfering with her
religious faith
1t would establish, throughout her borders,
free institutions.
Itwould confer upon her people personal Sc
curity.
1t would open the way for, and hold out in
ducements to, enterprising immigrants.
1t would bring her soil under better cult
walton, stimulate the growth of manufactures
and augment indefinitely her commerce.