Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-07-20

tue approaching contest less lmpOrtan
than the domestic. No good can be re
allied on this continent, unless we succeed
in maintaining, in all respects, in the fac,
Of all other nations, entire and absolut,
national independence. 1t is our inter
est, as our duty, to cultivate peace with al
nations, but peace only on terms compati
BILE with national independence and ma
tional honor. We had trusted that Mr.
Clay, however faulty might be his interna
policy, would nevertheless prove, himself
in his relations with foreign Governments
a true American patriot; but his recen
letter on the annexation of Texas 10 The
Union proves that we can no more rely on
his patriotism than on his republicanism.
The betrayal Of the true interests OF his
country. the dastardly crouching to the
red cross of England, and Infamous leag.
uing with band Of fanatics at home, who
officially declared that the Union of these
States ought TO be dissolved, and that they
are prepared 10 accomplish their objects
over the ruins of the American Church,
of which that letter affords the damnine
proof, deserve not only the utter detesta,
ton of every American heart, but the
most signal rebuke from the whole Union,
Ia rebuke which he and his supporters
will feel, ay, and not soon forget.
1--WE have no room for the discussion of
the Texas question, but happily that ques-
lion has already been amply discussed by
,,,oator aud battnr MO-, ,hon So -
whose voice will have authority where
ours cannot gain a hearing. We cannot,
however, refrain from expressing our re-
greet that slavery has been allowed 10 play
so conspicuous part in the discussion.
We want Texas annexed 10 the Union,
but for reasons wholly foreign to the ques-
ton of slavery. We want it as the kew
to our South Western frontier; because
we cannot with due regard to our means
of national defence, suffer it 10 pass &C.
tually or virtually into the hands Of Great
Britain or France; because we want il for
the benefit of our coasting trade, as
market for our Northern manufactures,
and as the means of preserving 10 our
selves the market of the great valley Of
the Mississippi, and of opening to us the
rich markets of Mexico; because the
Texans are our brothers, and wish 10 be
received as members of our great family
of freemen. We want it also, to pre-.
serve the proper balance between the At
lantic States and the interior, which the
rapid growth OF the Great West will, in
few years, without the annexation of Tex.
as, wholly destroy. Here are our reasons,
at least some of our reasons, for favorino
and these have no connection
with slavery. For ourselves, we feel very
little interest in the slave question, in it.
self considered. The danger to our
Union, to the sacred cause of human
lights, is not now in negro slavery, but in
he principles and measures of the aboli-
ionlsts, which, if carried out, would prove
far greater calamity than slavery is OF
IAN be, even allowing it TO be all that the
lboltlonists allege. The remedy they
propose would prove infinitely worse than
he disease. Still, we say, very frankly,
hat we see no beauty or comeliness in
slavery that we should desire il, and we
assure our Southern brethren that we will
help them adopt no measure for the sake
81 perpetuating it. tits their affair, and
they mus! take the responsibility of it.
But, while we say this, we say also
that we will resist, even unto blood, if need
be, any and every effort to abolish slavery
over the ruins of the constitution and the
sacred institutions of religion, or, what is
no better, through the dir or indirect
Intervention Of q foreign power. We are
IN independent nation, and the supreme
Judge for ourselves of the wisdom or JUS
ice of our institutions and practices. We
suffer not Great Britain, nor any foreign
Government, to teach US officially what is
'r what is not our duty. No foreign Go
'ernment shall be suffered to intermedde
With our concerns, even so far as to aid us
n correcting wha: we ourselves may be-
ieve 10 be wrong and in need of redress.
n regard TO foreign nations, our country
5 inlallible, and all her institutions are
acred.
"We here express what we understand
o be the purport of Mr. Calhoun's patri-
tic letter ts the British minister, for
'hich he has received so much and such
inherited abuse. We read that letter /,
nth glow of patriotic pride; we felt
lankful that we had at length one minis.
r of state, who dared speak the language :
national independence, and rebuke the
isolent foreign Government which had
resumed to send ills minister here to read :
5 moral lecture. In relation to for /.
lgners, we are one people, and acknow- :
,dge no distinction of Tree States or slave :
tates. Every citizen, whether of South !
arcliua or Of Massachusetts, is alike en- :
tied to the protection and defence Of the !