The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-11-28
ARGUMENT ON THE TEXAS QUESTION


A writer under the signature Of Justitia
in The paper ironically called the New OH
american, undertakes argue Ile qu-s'e" o.
the annexation of Texas. We are truly glad
to see any attempt al argument, Tor hitherto
from Mr.. John Quincy Adams down to his hum
best admirer we have met with nothing on the
subject but schoolboy d, camaton the raulns
of fanatic, OF the scodng of an old woman
or what IS far worse than all these, deliberate
and crafty Misrepresentation.
The writer in question first gravely rebukes
the New York Journal OF Commerce, (Which is
well able to fight It's own battles) for publishing,
without one word of dsapprobation. letter
from Washington, containing arguments in IA
vor of the annexation Of Texas. This was,
10 be sure, a gross departure from propriety in
the Journal of Commerce, and showed culpa-
BILE disregard of the morals Of its readers par
tcularly the younger members of respectable
families, who might happen to get hold OF the
paper. The writer then quotes the arguments
Of the Washington correspondent, and proceeds
thus TO demolish them:
And now for the reply to these arguments. And
it indeed the fact that Texas is so clrcumsanced
that she cannot maintain her independence Then
what right has this country and other powers to re-.
cogniso her Independence To treat reyolted col
ony independent nation, that is not capable OF
maintaining its independence, is an act Of injustice
TO the other party that claims the right OF sovereign
~ over it. But il Texas maintain her indepen-
deEce, what becomes Of those alternatives, namely,
that she must fall TO Mexico Great Britain or the
United States Again Why would the cooniza-
ton Of Texas by Great Britain endanger the peace
and security Of the Southern States' No other rea-
can be assigned than that she would abolish sa.
very and thus bring a population Of non-slavehoders
and colored freemen in contact with population Of
shareholders and slaves. But how much would it
better the case to Texas to the United States,
and continue her slavery Would not her population
of shareholders and slaves come in contact with the
free population of Mexico Slavery and freedom
must necessarily in contact, till the the
other is eradica ed from the earth. Once more II,
as the Journals correspondent argues, the annexa-
ton will be dsadv lniageous TO the South, 1t pass
ing strange that tho South s.ouid b. ~,
IT. Think We the South wishes TO drain herself Of
population, capital, and energies, withou, receiving
any political advantages Of corresponding import
sDce,n that writer pretends Not she. She is
not SO stupid as this She perceives that the annex
alton would open glorious market for her surplus
slave population; and she would Immediately turn
slave breeder on magnificent scale as TO throw
the slave breeding country Of Africa entirely into the
background; and We should behold American Con-
gos and Guineas all the South Little, indeed,
would she for her agricultural interests while
she could have such market for slaves. And as TO
her political advantages, it needs such argument
20 show that the rapid increase OF slaves and the
addition to the Union Of large number Of slave
States, would add immensely to that.
But why did this writer stop herc Why did he
not apply one OF bis luminous arguments 10 the re-
anne Ration of Texas to Mexico 1t does not follow
that because Texas should not be annexed TO Grea,
Britain, she should therefore be nnexed TO the Uni
ed States What affection has the a her
anne Ration to Mexicoi He has stated none. And
let say, that il Texas maintain her in
dependence, neither the United States, Great
Britain but Merieo, has the right to her Our south
rons and their northern coaduto talk usas IL Tex
common plumber and as If they had nothing
but their own interests 10 consult in this matter OF
annexation. But how great is the mistake under
which they labor. Why, we must obtain the con
sent of Mexico, as we have often attempted 10 do,
before we can have Texas. We must also obtain
the consent Of Great Britain; for il we have the
right to interfere, and to say that she shall not have
Texas; then she has the right to interfere, and to
say that es shall not have Texas"
II is not necessary for us to discuss the ques-
ton whether Texas is able or not TO maintain
her independence of Mexico A more import
ant question, at present, is whether she is will
liog to maintain her independence, in reality as
well as nompally, of Great Britain. II there
was any thing culpabIe in the recognition of the
independence, Great Britain, France, and other
powers of Europe share the blame equally with
us. Great Britain particularly avowcdy de-
parted from her settled policy and cherished
PRINCIPLES on the subjec, Of slavery, in rccogni
zing the independence Of Texas. Why she did
so is now sufficiently manifest. But we repeat
that no blame can now be attached to us for III,
recognition Of Texas, without maintaining thai
the Governments of the Two greatest and mos
enlightened nations Of Europe do not under
stand their rights and duties under the law o.
nations.
No other reason" says this writer, can bs
assigned why the colonization of Texas BY
Great Britain would endanger the peace ant
security Of The Southern States, than that she
would abolish slavery, and thus bring popula
ton OF non-slavehoIders and coored frcemen IN
contact with population of shareholders ant
slaves" In the name of common sense, wha
better or more powerful and urgent reason
could be assigned We think it would be .
most exquisite reason for not carrying blazing
torch into the powder magazine of a sbip-oft the
line, that the powder would probably take fire
and blow the vessel and all hands into the air
This writer might probably differ with us, ant
attempt to prove that the danger would be suff
cieplly guarded against by taking care Of the
sparks, and by being careful never TO entrust the
torch TO any one who was more than two-thirds
drunk. We should hardly argue the question
And il the opponents Of the annexation of Tex.
as are all prepared. as this writer seems 10 be
honestly to acknowledge that it is the design Of