The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-03-30

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north in regard to the annexation of Texas. and
a chill given to business by the apprehended ac-
ton of the Executive and the Senate upon this
subject, and of Congress upon the Tariff Such
is the purport of letters from the northern cities.
The project of annexing Texas to the United
States at this time, is one of most extraordina-
ry kind, and the first thought suggested is, why,
after that subject had been put to rest by the ac
| ton of the Government under Mr. Van Buren,,
and that action had been sanctioned by the pub
lie sentiment of the country, is the project again
started and agitated, at this time. Has there
been any desire manifested by the people of the
United States, that Texas should be annexed to
! the Union No. Has the subject been preached
by the public journals, those barometers and in
| dices of public sentiment? No. Have they
called upon the Executive to negotiate treaty
of annexation No. Have there been any pub
lie meetings held upon the subject, in any part
or section of the country, with view to spur
the Executive to any such movements No
Why, then, while the country is agitaed by an
approaching Presidential election, is so exciting
and momentous subject brought forward
Why has the President secretly, stealthily, and
clindestnely, as it were, been at work negotiat-
ing and arranging this matter with the Texan
Government, and wooing that country to the en-
brace Of this-the ceremony to be performed
and the marriage to be consummated in secret,
and in the dark? Does it look honest? Does
such course indicate conscious recttude and
guilelessness Far from it. Admitting the
motives of the Executive to be patriotic, the
clandestine manner in which the negotiation has
been carried on vests it with the appearance Of
an intrigue, plot, an attempt TO head" the
people, to steal march upon them, to annex
Texas to them without their knowledge or con-
sent, and before they could have time or oppor-
tunity to forbid the bans.
But plot exposed is usually frustrated; and
we trust that such will be the case with this
annexation scheme. We are sure it will be-
A treaty of annexation, if formed and presented
to the Senate, will not be rati6ed--cannot be-
We speak confidently; for with the demonstra.
tions already made by the people against annex
alton, and with the encounter of obstacles which
must present themselves to the-minds of Sena-
tors, we cannot believe that even majority of
the Senate, much less two-thirds, can be induced
10 approve and ratify treaty Of annexation.
Are Senators prepared to present this country
to the world in the garb OF dishonor? And how,
with our existing relations of peace and amity
with Mexico, can we step forward, and, taking
advantage of her weakness, not exactly seize
upon, but accept territory to which she has
not reinquished her claim, without subjecting
| ourselves to the charge Of rapacity-to the stig-
ina of Puaica Fidese In what light would such
a violation Of national faith present us to the
civilized world Could we, after such an act,
stand up among Christian nations with conscious
innocence and honor? Would we be so ready
TO accept Texas if claimed by England, France,
Russia, or any other powerful nation? If not,
how can we, without mourning the charge of
pusillanimity and cowardice, pursue a course
towards Mexico which we would not pursue
| towards a nation able to vindicate her own
rights? Have we arrived at that stage of ma
lional degradation, when national honor has no
value in the eyes ofthe American people? God
brbid
But another inquiry suggests itself. Upon
| what terms is Texas to become an integral part
of the Union She is burdened with a public
debt Is that debt to be assumed by the United
States? If SO, here would be assumption"
with a vengeance. And what would be the
spectacle then presented Texan bonds selling
at par, probably at premium, in all the money
markets Of the world-her honor taken into
keeping, her credit restored, by the United States,
while the stocks of portion Of those States are
a drug in those very markets, their credit gone,
and their very names synonymes for dishonor
Is Pennsylvania, Maryland, Indiana, Illinois,
Mississippi, and Arkansas, prepared to step for
ward and assume the debts of Texas, while
their own hang like milestone upon the n ecks
of their peoples Are they ready to see the es-
cutcheon Of Texas made bright at their expense,
| uhile thair din, and cho