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

II, each case freedom conquered -
In Mexico, the. circumstances all
eservation of liberty. The central and b. =
e a States of that country have already con
Isl lerable popnlation--equal, in fact to that Of
alike extent of the slaveholding States of this
MON. The Mexicans have formally abolished
s. .very, and are known to entertain a strong
r. pugnanee to it. They are, in word, free
s ates, and their admission into the Union
wouldiat once give an immense preponderance
<, THE free element in our Government.
Many of the Mexican States are very small
ils extent of territory as well as in population.
l.. might be made condition of their annexa-
ton, that the smaller States should be united,
5, as to form larger States of convenient size.
I he northwestern territories of the Republic
tight be kept in territorial condition until
4 e increase of population shall entitle them 10
admission into the Union. IL they we're sub
j eted TO regular government, there can be no
d nbt that population will flow to them from
a parts of this Union and from Europe. The
Central States of Mexico, which for half GER.
t~ry nave been subjected to condition of an
chy fatal to industry and trade, would imme-
I ltely, under American auspices, become a
ost fruitful field of Yankee enterprise. Agri-
lture would revive, internal trade would be-
e me highly lucrative, and commerce with
t is country would spring into existence, worth
}llions per anuum.
Here, then, are reasons which strongly ap-
Sal to the people of this country in favor
Q frankly and boldly accepting its destiny.
In the first place, we confer incalculable
/ essings upon Mexico. We redeem her from
a. arehy, from barbarism, from political and
ritual despotism; we set her on career Of
ealth and prosperity, and insure to her more
,ogress in twenty years than she has made in
zee centuries.
4 We add immensely to our own commerce, we
simulate our manufacturing industry, we open
rev fields of enterprise to our energetic and
snigrating population.
At the same time, we dispose of dangerous
"a ID distracting political question. We forever
s.ttle the slavery issue as sectional question,
a5d destroy all the vain and wicked projects of
slavery extension, which are the great source
ossectional agitation and irritation.
SBut there is one other consequence likely to
follow the adoption of the suggestion of the late
&c itor of this paper, to which we wish especially
'te draw attention. We shall provide homes for
tie free people of color and emancipated slaves,
W1o are hunted and driven like wild beasts, or
e3e reduced to absolute slavery. Is it not the
ty of the Federal Government to provide
hames for these exiles from the South We
hylieve that the Federal Constitution guaran-
tt their right to life and liberty in their native
S ates; but the effort has never been made to
SECURE their rights to them and with the over
w1elming weight of public prejudice against
item, far stronger Government than this
c. uld scarcely render them efficient protection
l. the Government, from sheer weakness, can
,n1t perform its duty, should it not, in a spirit
o. humanity, render all the atonement in its
l5iwer to its subjects who are the victims of
Zeal tyranny? Should it not at least offer
tenn place of exile-a home and home
sead, in some congenial region, where they
- be exempt from the tyranny of caste? The
acquisition of Mexico would afford every facil-
II for rendering this tardy justice to the free
eelored people. The Central and Southern
provinces of that country are peculiarly adapt
- to the negro and mulatto constitution. They
~se inhabited by mixed race of men, partly
s5anish, partly Indian, and partly negro.
The Mexican army is differed, in many
ses, by negroes-a clear proof of the absence
= prejudice against color. Here, then, under
american auspices, would be congenial
f9me Of our colored population-free colored
( I'D emancipated slaves. The white immi-
tsants to Mexico will go there to engage in
-ade or commerce. They will leave agricul-
=. re to the colOred race, Indian and negro.
che Northern provinces and the mountain dis
Lets may be cultivated by white men, but the
Nv lands and the low ATTITUDES must become
he future homes of the negro population of this
country.
The treaty recently negotiated with the
Tuarez or Liberal Government has not vet
leen made public; but, if its provisions have
~eeen correctly reported through the newspapers,
5 adoption would greatly facilitate the admis-
ION Of Mexico into the Union. Indeed. some
-lch treaty would seem to be necessary pre-.
: .minary and preparation for annexation. Ii
! e are correctly informed, the treaty provides
r the right of way over the Isthmus of Tehu.
7@ntepec, and perhaps two other lines of COM
4unication between the Atlantic and Pacific
Oceans. These rights of way contemplate rail.
Dads or canals, to be built and managed by
americans. The treaty also provides for com
Tscercial intercourse between the two countries
: n a very liberal scale; and the effect of the
doption of these measures must be to intro.
~nce American population and American
ieas into Mexico, and thereby soften preiu
ices, and prepare the way for more intimate
snion.
In addition to these considerations, it is to
&c remarked that the Juarez Government is by
ar the most suitable one which Mexico has
yer had with which TO negotiate treaty o.
sjnioD. That Government has not only dissev
cred the connection of Church and State. but 4
has dispossessed the Church of its immense
wealth, which it has extorted from the ignorant
Piety of the nation, and which it has for gen
erations used in keeping the people subject te
its control. With this hideous rampant of 10
porance and intolerance out of the wav, the
people will be enabled, at least under American
auspices, to commence career of mental a.
well as material progress.
We throw out these suggestions for the con
! sideraton of the country and of Congress, anc
trust that Republicans will look at the subiec