The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-11-24
NEW ENGLAND AND TEXAS.

the Southern States from the Union, In the
event of failure of the proposed annexation OF
Texas; and it earnestly exhorts the People OF
the South to weigh well the consequences OF
separation and calculate the value OF the
Unionn We have seen no ini'malion oil this
alleged design from any one authorized 10 an
nounce the views or intentions Of the Southern
People or their representatives; but we have
seen the manifesto addressed "to the People Of
the free S,ates,n signed by an ex-President and
twenty -one members and ex-members Of Con-
gress from those States in which the design OF
a dissolution of the Union, in the event Of the
annexation of Texas, is openly and explicitly
avowed. We have more reason, therefore, TO
admonish the People of the free States, and par
tcuIarly of New England, to calculate the value
of the Union, and to warn them against suffer-
ing their prejudices TO be enlisted, BY those en-
joyng their confidence, aud making use Of that
confidence to persuade them to a rash judgment
of measure before il is properly and thoroughly
discussed in the only place where full light can
be thrown upon it.
The People of the South have no reason to
shrink from a most unreserved discussion Of this
measure, in any and every point OF view in
which il can be considered; and they have,
therefore, no reason for precipitably making up
their minds on question OF such transcendenl
importance as the dissolution of the Union. 1t
is the opponents of the proposed annexation,
and not those in favor oft, who evidently dread
debate, and who would engage in ii reluc-
family, with prejudiced minds and excited
passions and we have no doubt that their
reason for dreading it is, the perfect con-
vcton of the more intelligent among them, that
cool and dispassonate 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 calculates
the value of the Union," and weighs the good
and i'll likely tn arise from the annexation OF
Texas, with any thing ofthe proverbla snrvwu-
ness which her sons display in driving bar
gain, will certainly not be the last section OF the
Union to assent to the measure.
Leaving abolionsts and fanatics out Of the
question, we can imagine no rational 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 annexed TO the United States and il is in
this shape that the question will ultimately be
presented to them for their decision. That il
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-
bic.
The immediate effects of the accomplis hmen,
Of this design would be first felt by the CONNER
cial and manufacturing interests of New Eng
land We have 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 would spring from the illicit trade
TO be carried on through their extended frontiers
with Mexico and the United States--frontiers
which an army Of cuStom-house officers on either
side could not guard, even if il were prac-
ticabe to employ such armies. large part Of
the border population, boil. 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 il would stimulate the People
ofTexas TO use every means Of retaining it,
The New England manufacturer would there
fore lose not only the direct and legitimate trad,
Of Texas, but be deprived in great measure Of
the profits Of the trade with our Southwestern
States, and with the eastern portion of Mexico
from the Gulf to Santa Fe. Her navigation
would also suffer, not only in the loss of hi,
supplying trade, but in the loss probably, TO
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 plant, RS tc
send their cotton or other produce TO Texas, in
stead Of exporting directly. As mere question
of dollars and cents, therefore, it appears TO u.
that the People Of New England would be ver
flying an old proverb in permitting sectional
feelings against the South, or artfully instillet
prejudces, to array them in favor Of British n
huence in Texas. We throw out these brie
and imperfect hints now, merely TO indicat,
how they may find more precise data upon
which 10 base their calculations of the value OF
the Union and in making up their estimate
they might probably recIr to the account of pro-
fit and loss 10 New England from the acquisition
OF Louisiana.
But considering the matter in a broader and
more national point of view, we do not see
what the People of New England have 10
gain, by lending their aid, directly or ind
recty, to the avowed scheme of the Bri-
fish GoverMment, and Of the Abolitionists. of
restricting the slave population Of the United
States within its present limits. We do no,
ste in what manner they would profit by civil