The Portland daily press., 1869-04-29
DAILY PRESS
PORTLAND.
Thursday Morning April 90, 1859.


ROBERT j. WALKER ON ANNEXATION.
The Washington Chronicle publishes long
letter from the Hon. Robert j. Walker which
Is fkely to attract attention. 1t is addressed
to the chairman and secretary of the Nova
Scotia League, and is an answer to the follow
ing questions, propounded by those gentlemen
to the writer:
lst. What is the feeling in the United
States on the subject of admitting Nova SEQ
tia as State of the Union?'
I'd. :" On what terms, as regards Nova Sco-
tic, could such union be aecomplished?'
Sd. "What would be the probable effect of
annexation on the welfare of Nova Scotia?"
The first Of these questions is briefly but
positively answered by the statement that
since the disappearance of slavery from the
United States has removed the only discor-
dant element which would have rendered such
a union impracticable, the annexation of No
vatia would be hailed with unbounded satis-
iactlon. We should say that this is putting
the case rather strongly. If such a union
were amicably arranged, it would not, we pre-
sumo, occasion dissatisfaction in any quarter:
but we are inclined to think that except in
New England, and in certain commercial and
political circles, thematter is regarded with a
very considerable degree of indifference.
As the terms of annexation which our
Government would be willing to grant, Mr..
Walker gives the assurance that they would
be liberal and advantageous, and he speaks
with positivensss which leads one to suspect
that he may also speak with certain author
ity. He says:
fNova Scotia should signify to us her desire
to become State of the Union, most advan-
tageous terms would be offered her. The crown
lands, now estimated at four millions of acres,
would become hers, together with all the un-
granted mines which they contain, whether
OF gold, silver, coal, or any other mineral.
These lands and mines, after annexation,
would become of great value. All public build
lngs would become yours, except forts, arse
mails, navy-yards and custom-houses. We
would assume your public debt, now estimat-
ed at $S,O 100000. OF course you would receive
your share of public land scrip set apart for
every State for an agricultural and mechani-
cal college. This scrip, in the case of Nova
Scotia, would be of the value Of $225,000.
OF the government grants for the improve
ment of rivers and harbors, for the construc-
tion of railroads, canals, &c., Nova Scotia
would also receive her share; and Mr.. Walker
goes on to point out what important enterpris-
ss in the way of opening communications and
improving natural advantages would be likely
to be undertaken at an early day.
The answer to the third question, which re-
lates to the effects of annexation upon Nova
Scotia, constitutes the main portion Of
Mr.. Walkers argument. He points out
first the advantages arising out of geo.
graphical eontiguity to the United States, de-
monstrating by figures the effect which an
nexation would exert upon the trade and in
dustry of the Provinces. This is illustrated by
showing what is the extent of the internal
commerce between the States and what, at the
same rate, would be Nova IScotia's legitimate
share. 1t is shown, however, that the products
of Nova Scotia are of such a kind as would
insure her a still larger trade.
Another inducement to join us pointed out
by Mr.. Walker, is the rapid increase of popu-
lation in the United States, and. the advantage
OF sharing our growing power and greatness,
as compared with the helplessness of remain
ing feeble and insignificant neighbor. A
consideration of scarcely inferior weight is the
rapidity of our increase in wealth. Under this
head Mr.. Walker demonstrates the ground
lessness of the fear that British America
would suffer through the magnitude of our
national debt The increase in wealth and
population will, in comparatively few years
make it msre bagatelle when considered in
connection with the vastness of our resources
This portion of Mr.. Walkers letter is long,
filling ten columns of the Chronicle, and we
are unable to give even an adequate synopsis
of its various points; but.as the whole is to be
published in pamphlet, our readers will be
able to judge of it for themselves.
The Chronicle, as might be expected, en-
dorses all Mr.. Walkers positions, and declares
that he has proved "as plainly as if it were
the solution of an ordinary problem in arith-
metic, that the best interests Of the British
Colonies require their annexation to the Uni
ted States, and also that there are insuperable
geographical, and other natural impediments
to British America by itself ever becoming
strong united nation Whether our Noys
Sootian neighbors are likely to see the thins
with the spectacles of Mr.. Walker and th,
Chronicle remains to be seem