Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1871-03-24

Conceding that annexation should
now be made the ruling idea of Ameri-
can politics there is still room for differ
ence of opinion as to whether, among
possible acquisitions. our late investment
in Alaska. and that now proposed IN
San Domingo, are the most expedient
or desirable. In our greedy grasp after
Alaskan icebergs on the one hand and
tropical earthquakes on the other, we
have scarcely taken time to consider
whether territories nearer home were
not quite as easy Of attainment and far
more desirable as a possession.
There for instance. is Northern Mex
ico. a splendid country, abounding in
everything but the aIl-conquering YAM
kee enterprise. necessary to develope its
great resources, and for taking which,
even BY conquest if need be, we have
q notable Democratic precedent. The
great States Of Chihuahua and Sonora,
especially. are hanging upon the verge
of the Mexican Republic ready, ike
tropical fruits over-ripe, to drop at the
first vigorous shaking into the en-
brace Of Uncle Sam. They contain
a large. wealthy and influential Ameri-
can population, of course universally
anxious for annexation. and expecting
II with no small impatience. Besides.
these Mexican-Amer have claims
against the Juarez government for prop
erty con6scated, or damages inflicted
during the various revolutions. amount
ing, as is said, to three hundred millions,
and should these claims prove valid
there is due to US, should we take it in
territory. the States Of Chihuahua and
Sonora at least, if not one or both the
neighboring provinces of Tamaulipas
and Nuevo Leon.
A wealthy and intelligent resident Of
the city Of Chihuahua, who IS also ma
tive Of Ohio, recently informed US that
the climate Of these States is. as he be-
lieves, the most delightful in the world,
and so much was our informant pleased
with it that he declared he would not for
a moment think of living in any other
country. The air is pure and healthful,
the heats Of summer moderate, and the
winters-weIl, there are no winters. For
grazing purposes as well as for eultiva-
ton the valleys are magnificent, while
the mountains abound in silver, now
prohtably mined even by the lazy Greas-
ers, and offering immense inducements
to intelligent and energetic enterprise
Lands are cheap as dirt, 1--WE mean no
pun.l and few thousands of ready cap
ital wiz buy a rancho Of ten to thirty
thousand acres with Mexican improve
ments
Here, in short, is a new El Dorado,
whose people are already largely Amer
ican, and most Of whom are either
strongly in favor of or may be easily
induced to acquiesce in annexation to
the great Yankee Republic. The con-
struction Of the Southern Pacific Rail
way, now authorized, and which will
doubtless have an extension to the city
of Chihuahua. viii bring these States
into closer relations with US than ever
and viii unquestionabIy hasten their
development. as well as give momentum
to their centrifugal tendencies.
If annexation is to be our leading
policy. therefore. here is an opportunity
not to be hastily passed by or lightly
considered. The acquisition of Chihua-
hua and Sonora, by the Union, is pro-
badly mere question of time any way,
and ought to satisfy, for time at least,
if anything viii. the greed for territorial
extension.