The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-11-27
NEW ENGLAND AND TEXAS.


event of failure of The proposed annexation o.
Texas; and it,earnesily cxhorts the People Of
the South to weigh well the consequences Of
separation and 8 calculate the value Of the
Unior." We have seen no intimation Of this
alleged design from any one authorized 10 an
nounce the views or intentions of the Southern
People or their representatives but. we have
the free Slates," signed by an ex-President ant
twenty zone members and ex me mbers of Con
gress from those States, in which the design o.
dissolution Of the Union, in the event of lht
annexation OF Texas, is openly and explicitly
ayowed. We have more reason, therefore, ,t
admonish the People of the free States, and par
ticuarly of New England, 10 calculate the value
Of the Union, and to warn them against suffer
ing their prejudices TO be enlisted, by those en-
joying their confidence, aud making use of thai
confidence to persuade them TO rash judgment
OF a measure before il is properly and thoroughly
discussed in the, only place where full ligh! can
bethrown upon it,, @
The People Of the South have no reason tc
shrink from most unreserved discussion OF this
measure, in any and every point OF view in
which it can be considered; and they have,
therefore, no reason for procipitably making W
their minds on question OF such transcendenl
importance as The dissolution of the Union. |.
is the opponents Of the proposed annexation,
and not those in favor Oft, who evidently dread
debate, and who would engage in it reluc-
n ind, aud tod
passions; and we have no doubt that their
reason for dfeading it is, the perfect con-
viclion of the more intelligent among them, that
cool and dispassionate discussion Of the pro-
posed measure would result in satisfying the
People of all sections of The country alike, OF
the expediency, if not urgent necessity of it,
New England, particularly, if she g calculates
the value of the Union," and weighs The good
and i'll likely to arise from the annexation OF
Texas, with any thing of the proverLial shrewd-
ness which her sons display In driving bar
gain, will certainly not be the last section OF the
Union 10 assent to the measure.
Leaving aboliliouists and fanatics out Of the
question, we can imagine fo raaenal motive
which should induce the People of New Eng
land to prefer that Texas should Re under the
controlling influence of Great Britain, rather
than nexed TO the United States and it is in
thi, shape that the question will ultimately be
presented to them for their decision. That i,
is the design of Great Britain to acquire such
controlling influence, and that there is every
likelihood Of her accomplishing her design
unless speedily arrested, is to our minds al
ready demonstrated, and the evidence TO be ad
duced before the nation will be found irressli
be
The immediate effects of the Accomplishment
Of this design would be first felt by the CONNER
cal and manufacturing interests of New Eng
land We Rave already referred to the nature
Of some of the temptations held out to the PEG
pie Of Texas, in the open Suggestions of the
profits which woul spring from the illicit trade
to be carried on through their extended frontiers
with Mexico and the United States-frontiere
which an army Of custom-house officers either
side could not guard, even if il were prac-
ticabe to employ sSch armies. A large part oil
the iorder population, both in Mexico and the
United States. might be found willing TO con
nive at and enjoy The benefits Of this trade
while the profits of it would stimulate The People
of Texas TO use every means of retaining it,
The New England manufacturer would there.
fore lose not only the direct and legitimate trade
of Texas, but be deprived in great measure OF
The profits Of The trade with our Southwestern
States, and with me eastern portion Of Mexico
from the Gulf 10 Santa Re. Her navigation
would also suffer- not only in the loss of hi.
supplying trad, but in the loss probably, to a
considerable extent, of the carrying trade, in
consequence of privileges extended by the Gov.
eminent of Texas to the British ship owner
which might induce the Southern planters tc
send their cotton or other produce 10 Texae, in
stead of exporting directly As a mere question
of dollars and cents, therefore, il appears to Us
that the People OF New England would be veri
flying an old proverb, in permitting sectional
feelings against the South or arlfully ip,tilled
prejudces, to array them in favor of British in.
Huence in Texas We throw out these brie
and imperfect hints now, merely TO indicate
which to base their calculations Of the value Of
The Union; and IN making up their estimate,
they might probably recJr TO the account of pro-
fl and loss TO New England from the acquisition
Of Louisiana.
But, considering the mat,r in broader and
moe national point of view, we 30 not see
what the People of New England have tc
gain, by lending their aid, directly or ind
recuy, to the avowed scheme of the Bri
tl'h Government and of the Abotionis,s o
restricting the slave population Of the Unite,
States within It's present limits. We do no
STE in what manner they would profit BY civ;
discussions, interruption of tranquility an,
prosperity, and, perhaps, serve war in In,
South. If they are onxiou. TO get rid o