The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-01-23


which the importance Of the subject so fully entities
IT TO.
WAsmNGToN, Jan. 10, lS43.
DEAR SIR: You ask if have expressed the opin-
ion that Texas would be annexed TO the United
States answer, yes and this opinion has not been
adopted without reflection or without careful OBJ
seryation of causes, which | believe rapidly
bringing about this result ! do not know how far
these causes have made the impression on 9TH
ers but persuaded that the time is not distant
when they will be felt in all their force The ex-
cement which you apprehend may arise, but 1t will
be temporary, and in the end salutary The excite
ment of pre- udice passion is to be deprecated I'M
der any Government, as it only confirms error and
injustice. But the excitement OF the mind, the popu-
lar intelligence IS always beneficial and II Is ndispen-
sable in free Governments. Ii leads to investigation
1t establishes TRUTH justice, and the public good. 1t
the and safest of guarding against the
articles of those who, afraid to trust their fellow
with the privilege of thinking, have been always
willing and ready to think for them
Without having time just now to consider this sub
ject in the various interesting and comprehensive as
poets in which it may be viewed, do not hesitate to
say that il is capable, II approached IN proper sp-
rit, of doing to conciate and consolidate the
conflicting interests and prejudices of our Union than
any question which has arisen since the foundation OF
our republic. proceed to notice, very briefly, some
of the objections you anticipate
am, as YOU know, a strict constructionist of the
powers Of our Federal Government and ! do not
admit the force of mere precedent TO establish au
thority under written constitutions The power con-
ferred by the Constitution foreign relations
and the repeated acquisitions OF territory under IT.
seem to 10 leave this question open, one OF ex
pediency. AS such, II cannot be considered South
en local question. Ii affects and interests every
portion Of the Union
| assume what no one will deny, that, under the
jurisdiction of the United States, the large and
usually fertile territory Of Texas will be rapidly peo-
Pied and that an immense accession will be made to
our strength and productive energies. The settle
ment of Texas under these auspices, viii open
market at home for the manufactures and agrcultu-
raj products of all the non-slsyeholding States
market which, otherwise, can only avail them under
the restrictions and disadvantages Of foreign compe
tition The means of supply for those States will be
increased in the same manner. This is true not only
Of the Eastern Atlantic States, but of the country
tending overthe fertile vales Of the Ohio, the Mssis
sippi and the Missouri. II will be more permanently
valuable TO these than all the home markets which
legislation can force by the artificial means of i'm
poyerishing interest for the purpose Of giving
bountes TO another. On the rue principles OF social
and commercial intercourse IL will be reciprocal and
mutually advantageous. The only interest IN the
Union which such merely, could find for
opposing the measure, Is the interest Of the cotton
and sugar planters Of the Southern and Southwestern
States. Tie anne vat on Of Texas would foster
competition Cor which they could find no immediate
equivalent except in the vast acquisition of national
wealth, prosperity and harmony which would result.
people will shake themselves clear Of party tram
But you anticipate objections with regard to the
subject OF slavery Tins is, indeed, a subject Of
IRENE delicacy bot Il is one on which the Ration
Of Texas will have the most salutary influence
Some have thought that the proposition would en-
danger our Union. ] am Of different opinion.
believe II will strengthen the Union. believe Il will
bring about better understanding Of our relative
rights and obligations. Slavery is Of those sub
jecs which the people Of the save-holding States
content TO leave where the Constitution OF our Union
found il. They ask for new concessions TO their
rights guaranteed by that instrument they pre-
pared TO make none to prejudices which they must
cease TO respect, when under the garb Of civil
ligious fanaticsm they become criminal Are our
countrymen Of the non-slayehoding States disposed
to assume that they will not live in peace with US on
account Of State Institutions, institutions rccog
nized and guaranteed by positive provisions Of the
Constitution If this be so, the sooner il Is known
to all the better for all 1t is obvious that the Union
already dissolved that its burdens are all on one
side its benefits on the other, when such spirit is
generally eyinced But do not believe that such is
the disposition Of the OF fellow-citizens
the non-slayebodIng States believe that the secu-
rty long enjoyed under Constitution has taught
them, as II has US TO regard Il in its spirit and letter
indispensable to our future common welfare, and
TO deprecate any revelation, effected by fraud or
force, which shall impair lis soem obligations.
have not been an nattentve or Indifferent observer
to animadvert on the want Of American feeling, which
they have sometimes disclosed, might only add TO pre-
JUDGES already too much exaspersted. II should be
the first wish Of every American TO allay excite
mont which Is fast rlpening into crime. ! aver my
belief that there is no measure which would have a
happier endenoy TO repudiate feelings unworthy
OF countrymen, so incomPat bic with the duties Of
fellow citizens, and to re establish the supremacy Of
our compact on The permanent foundation Of mutual
rights and mutual interests, as the annexation Of Tex
as The foreign dangers which threatened the ipfan-
cy Of republic forgotten IN the meridian Of
our strength. They no longer exist in force enough
to bind US together Our present dangers nearer
home.
They can be averted only by the ageocy Of some
cause powerful enough to revive the feelings Of other
days TO absorb the sefshness Of sections again in the
more enlarged sentiments OF pride and patriofism.
These sentiments are already extinct in that bosom
which does not kinde at the contemplation Of our
countrys unexampled prosperity and grandeur, as
they heralded by the dswnng future Nations like
individuals, must live up TO their destiny, and we
must act the part assigned US by our position on the