Randolph journal. [volume] (Winchester, Indiana) 1865-186?, 1867-04-18
The Russian Treaty

this for the territorial expansion OF the
United States could not have been
found; and il would hardly have been
suggested except by an administration
conscious that il has forfeited the ap-
prevail of the country aud casting
about 10 devise some appeal 10 that
vulgar ScDSc of national honor which
mistakes size for sl,lcnd0r. The sale
OF Russian America to the United
States for seven millions Of dollars
would be undoubtedly 4 good thing for
Russia; but that it would be equally
desirable for us il not evident. II i a
territory covering some four hundred
thousand square miles, and X inhabi-
ted by sixty or Il hunurcd thousand
people, haIf of whom are EsquimauN;
and it would be practically 4 remote
colony, with Il Foreign population.
The advantages 20 Us are the control
of the fisheries and the fur trade; but
the continuity of our coast line would
bc interrupted by that of the British
possessions, territory which Great
Britain would not care 10 rcinquiSh,
but which would necessarily expose
the friendly relations of This country
and England To disturbance.
The practical question is, whether
il is wise ut this time to enlarge our
territory in amy direction and at such
an expense. II the advantage he de-
cidcd, the sum is insignificant If il
merely secures more territory, il is cX-
traVag;int- The rule which, in the
present alicnatc6 condition of part of
the country, should govern the policy
of extension is not hard to discover.
Mere expansion j. undesirable. The
acquisition of population foreign in
origin and civilization il not an adj
vantage. The annexation of Mexico,
for instance, would bc bad policy. The
question which we should ask in all
such eases j., will the proposed in
crease OF territory tend TO strengthen
the national unity. The national
power is already established. That is
beyond question:. The advantages of
upon the footing of the most favored
nations; and that should hc enough,
except for great and decisive reasons.
Now, with the area which we
already occupy, with the constant and
enormous immigration OF the Euro
pcan population upon the Nst and of
the -Nsiatic upon the west. and with
the harsh and abnormal feeling of a
large section of the country held 10y
military power, any further expansion,
any increased immigration or ahSorp-
ton of still another race does not seem
to uS to tend To strength hut to weak
hess. We have great faith in the re-
sources OF the country, IN our power of
assimilation, and in the cducstvc and
elastic character of cur political syS-
tenn. Iut there is no need of over
loading the train nor of S,raining an
unqucstionablc strength. The Union
may safely increase with tho advance
of all methods OF communication and
with the growth of national feeling,
but not otherwise When the Const-
/ tuition was formed, Portland or Fal-
mouth was practically further from
the seat of government than san F'rau-
: cisco is now. Steam, in it, various,
applications, and the telegraph in tllc
! material world, and perfect freedom of
! speech and trade in the political ami
social world, are the agents which, by
. bringing every part of the country
close To every other, facilitate greater
actual expansion. But true states
manship Will secure what We already
have before >ccllin for more. When
these agencies, which have never been
properly applied TO this Union, but
which will have fair play in the new
epoch upon which we have entered,
have welded our present territory and
I population firmly together, We may
wisely consider the eXpcdicncy of fur
thcr expansion.
The advantage of obtaining large
territory with Il population OF Esqui-
maux is certainly not very striking,
even with the added control of the
fisheries and the fur trade. The lea
line of our authority upon both oceans
is now uninterrupted. To interrupt it
would be 10 admit AN opportunity ot
trouble Russian America docs not
complete our Pacific line unless we
obtain British Columbia and Nancouv-
cr's Island; and + il did of wnat
special value j. completed Pacific
nc at this time? The willingness of
Russia il in harmony with her wise
policy of an American alliance Alone
of all great foreign powers She pursued
a sayacious course during olIi, war, ard
her statc,manship wisely continues it..
Undoubtedly, also, II i our manifest
destiny" ultimately To rule the con-
tinent; but that i no reason why we
should Immediately annex Mexico, or
pakc war upon Canada. or buy Rus
sian .Amcrica- Before We enlarge our
borders let Us thoroughly organize our
present po-scssjons--UlOY,cs'S Bcckty.
Tur nomination of SoloOon Nero