to the result with hope, not doubting, that the closest commercial
connexion with other countries can only bring to us benefits. We are
not, and have not been, political propagandists, yet believing our
form of government the best, we properly desire its extension and
invite the world to scrutinize our example of representative liberty.

The stars on our flag, recording the number of the States united, have
already been more than doubled; and I hopefully look forward to the
day when the constellation shall become a galaxy covering the stripes,
which record the original number of our political family, and shall
shed over the nations of the earth the light of regeneration to
mankind. It has sometimes been said to he our manifest destiny that we
should possess the whole of this continent. Whether it shall ever all
be part of the United States is doubtful, and may never be desirable;
but that in some form or other, it should come under the protectorate
or control of the United States, is a result which seems to me, in the
remote future, certain. It waits as the consequence upon intellectual
vigor, upon physical energy, upon the capacity to govern, and can only
be defeated by a suicidal madness, of which it does not belong to the
occasion to treat.

I would not be understood to advocate what is called fillibustering.
Our country has never obtained territory except fairly, honorably and
peaceably. We have conquered territory, but have asserted no title as
the right of conquest, returning to Mexico all except the part she
agreed to sell and for which we paid a liberal price. England having
fillibustered around the world, has reproached us for aggrandizement,
and we point to history and invite a comparison. There is no stain
upon our escutcheon, no smoke upon our garments, and thus may they
remain pure forever! The acquisitions of which I spoke, the