Annexation of Canada [pp. 397-412]

ANNEXATION OF CANADA.
a Whig and the other a Democratic paper-are good representatives of
this class. These do not claim for the Federal government any power
over slavery in the States, but contend, in common with many others,
that Congress can control the institution in the territories. The object
dearest to their hearts, (perhaps after a restriction of commerce and a
corruption bank,) is to prevent the extension of slavery. Although
they know that they could not, even if they had a majority in Congress,
pass a statute by which the direct abolition of slavery would take place,
yet they hope that by obtaining such a majority, they may be enabled to
restrict slavery to its present limits, and then pursue such a system of
legislation as will force emancipation upon the States themselves. Possibly they wish to obtain such a majority as will enable them to oo remodel
the constitution as to prohibit slavery. Even if this is not the case, they
hope to get into the ascendancy so that they may prohibit, or attempt to
prohibit, the slave traffic between the States, and pass a law for imme diate abolition in the District. These two projects are their darling fa vorites. If they can succeed in these attempts they will endeavor by
protective tariffs, &c., to make valueless the labor of the slave, and com pel his master to set him free. Then, too, the very love of the North ern States for restriction upon commerce will induce them to extend
the right hand of fellowship to the Canadians, so clamorous for protec tion. Every additional free State, and protective tariff State will add to
them several members in Congress; and for this reason the Northern
States whoes opposition was thundered against John Tyler and Mr. Polk,
for acquiring Texas and the Mexican provinces which would increase,
they said, the area of slavery, will now probably be found the warmest
advocates for the annexation of Canada.
The inquiry now comes up, what will the South do in regard to an nexation? Her newspapers and her people have not yet spoken out
upon the subject. If she sees that the North is bent upon the union of
Canada with the States for abolition purposes, and for those alone, she
will oppose the project to a man. Although she may know that her
right to hold slaves is derived from her State sovereignty, and that she
will resist by force of arms, if necessary, any encroachment upon her
rights and immunities by- an abolition majority, yet she will feel bound to
do all she can to stave off the acquisition of such a majority by the am nexation of free territory, or any other means. If, however, several
new States be formed from the free territories already belonging to us,
and admitted into the Union, and they and the North declare their
intention to annex Canada for abolition purposes, and actually do unite
her with our confederacy-even then the South will remain loyal to the
,Jnion until the majority transcends the constitution, either by assuming
powers not granted them, or by changing the compact, so as to render
it null and void. After this, party lines will be broken down at the
South-the voice of dissension will be hushed within her borders, and
any encroachment upon her rights will be met by the thunders of war,
and thousands of swords will leap from their scabbards, gleaming fierce ly upon the field of her honor.
Aside from slavery and protection, we believe that a majority of the
American people would be in favor of the annexation of Canada. At
the same time we doubt very much whether the parties which now
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