The New York herald., 1871-12-04
me Ansexatisu or HIexico-A FIJI
Chance Ter General Grant.

| snah ne mas OF ADDING to the glory and pros
perity of this country, aud of acquiring great
name in history. Mexico affords that oppor-
tunity The annexation Of that rich country
| would be OF incalculable value to the wealth
and commerce Of the United States, . great
boon to the Mexican people and benefit to
the world. If General Grant will make this
the paramount question of his administration
all other questions would be dwarfed in COM
parison. 1t would arouse national ambition,
do more than anything else to destroy section
alism, and the sectional feeling which resulted
from our late war, extinguish the Ku-Klux of
the South, and unite the people of all the
States in the one common cause
Of national expansion and glory. With this
issue presented to the country General Grant
would certainly be reelected, and with
scarcely any opposition worth speaking about
Then, should the President and his party fail
to seize the opportunity afforded, the condi-
tion of Mexico is such that an opposition
party may take up this popular question aud
ride into power through it. General Grant is
patriotic, bold and broadly national enough in
his views to make the annexation Of Mexico
his policy. He is in position, too, to carry
that policy out, for he could overwhelm any
opposition that might be made to 1t in Con-
gress. Has he the sagacity and grasp of mind
to comprehend the importance OF this matter
and the prize that is within his reach ? We
shall soon know, as his Message to Congress
to-day will Indicate, no doubt, the course he
is prepared to pursue with regard to Mexico.
Although the annexation OF Mexico would
meet probably, with some opposition, this
would be feeble, comparatively, and would
soon fade away before the popular fervor of
the mass of the people. There has been op-
position always to annexation. Tmid people
and those excessively conservative, as well as
hostile and time-serving politicians will op-
ernment measure for the annexation of foreign
territory. This was seen in the case OfTexas,
Of Louisiana, of Florida and even in the cases
Of California, New Mexico and Arizona. But
it is remarkable fact that none of our promi-
nent public men have ever opposed national
expansion when the question has been taken
up by the government without falling into dis
favor and losing their popularity. Such
conflict with the sentiments of ambition, pride,
glory and progress, which animate the Ameri- |
can people, is never forgiven. We might |
refer 10 the conduct and history of Calhoun, |
Benton, Van Buren and other prominent men,
who, for political objects or from narrow
minded sectonalism, have opposed national
expansion, to show that the most towering
politicians may b. wrecked upon this rock.
Every one who has read the history of our
country will remember the intensity Of the oppo-
.ion to annexation at different times by certain
leading public men, particularly to the |
annexation Of Louisiana and Texas. Yet,
with the light which later history has shed on
these acquisitions and the incalculable value Of
them 10 the country, we now wonder at the |
stupidity and short sightedncss of the anti I
So it would be with regard
TO Mexico, and so il will be on a II such occa-
ons.
The same sort Of tlmid, over-prudent and
sleepy conservatives will now probably prate
about national honor, want of cause for an
ncxing Mexico, the necessity Of developing |
our present vast territory before we take more,
the fear Of war, the undesirable population
that would be annexed and 50 forth. These |
are the same old arguments that have been |
used before-the same that were used when |
Louisiana and Texas were annexed. We want |
no better answer than history gives. Look |
ct what these magnificent territories are now, |
and look, too, ct that other glorious acquisi- |
ton of California. Here is the answer to the |
Gmid and short-sighted conservatives who may
oppose the annexation OF Mexico. And have
we not cause for annexing Mexico, war
or no war, in accomplishing that2 Great
and progressive nations are never
at loss for cause when profound national
policy or necessity calls for such action. Has
Great Britain, Russia, Prussia, France, Italy
or any other nation powerful enough, ever
failed TO ssisc an opportunity for acquiring
territory that might add to its grandeur and
prosperity This has been more especially
the case where the people Of an adjoining
nation have been Q constant cause Of trouble,
danger, or incapable Of elf-government. But
we are not without good and sufficient cause
for taking Mexico This republic has been
for many years most kind aud considerate to
that ueighboring republic, has saved 1t both
from self-destruction and foreign conqueror
and has borne more ingratitude and indig-
mites than any other great Power would have
endured. Even when it had possession of
Mexico by conquest 1t gave back the territory
TO the Mexicans. No nation could have been
more forbearing.
For years our country has been the prey
OF marauders and smugglers along the border
Of the Rio Grande. Millions year have been
lost to the revenue by smuggling along that
border, our soil has been made the base Of
maraudiug bands and revolutionists, and