The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-08-16

| "The scenery of the country is grand and beau
tiful: here romantic dell-there an enchanting
alcove-and yonder picturesque cascade, sur
rounded by the wood and the vine, in view Of the
rich glen, and limpid brook which bends and
curves from its vicinity. Enthusiasm kindles
around the pen when it would attempt to describe
such scenes, as must forever beggar the masters
pencil and must be visited to be known, as no
words can do justice to theirlappeaance.
The eloquent Holley speaks thus:
"The displays of vegetable nature in Texas are
profuse, various and valuable, presenting, on one
hand the stately and magnificent forest, and again
delghting the eye with the rich and splendid scene
of the luxurant prairie, garnished with an endless
variety OF beautiful and fragrant flowers, making
landscape of undesirable and surprising loveness.
1t would be an elysum for the florist and the poet.
One feels amid such scenes, as we suppose Adam
to have felt when in the infancy of nature, and
every object bore the impress of its Maker, he was
made the first and sole tenant Of Eden, and left to
commune with and contemplate the wonders OF
creation. Omnipotence has consecrated here, in
the bosom of nature, and under Heavens wide
canopy, temple to receive the praise and adora-
ton of the grateful behoder; and cold and reckless
must be that soul from whose sensibilities no res
ponsive homage could be elected by such an exhf-
bition of the power and benificence Of the Crea-
tor Methiuks the veriest infdel would be COM
PEELED to bow and minge in that worship, which,
amid the profound, but expressive stiffness Of the
scene, creation seems to pay"
tIn
of an enthusiast, but in referring to it, Kennedy
says "The colors are glowing, but, according to
my own impressions, cannot say that the picture
is over-wrought."
1t is not here designed to convey the impression
that the young republic isa Psradise that sick
ness never reaches its inhabitants, or that every
acre of its soil is woudrously rich and ten feet in
depth, or that cold wind never sweeps from the
north, or that many rogue may not be found
within its limits but upon all these points refer
ence is made to the general character of each res
pectvely.
The fame of Texas has spread throughout Chris
tendon, and the common judgment of all acqaaint-
ed with the capacities of that country, sanctions
the description thus hastily sketched
Read the testimony of the most distinguished
statesman in England, and probably in Europe
Lord Brougham uses the following language in a
speech recently delivered in the British Parliament
"The importance of Texas could not be over
rated 1t was country of the greatest capabilities
and was in extent full as large France. 1t pos
sessed soil of the finest and most fertile charac-
ter, and it was susceptible of producing all tropi-
cal produce, and it's climate was of most healthy
character"
Entertaining such an opinion of Texas, it is not
strange that ambitious England should strive to
grasp the young republic within her clutch.
HENRY CLAY'S OPINION OF THE VAL
UE OF TEXAS.
In the House of Representatives of the United
States, on the Sd of April, 1920, Mr. Clay deliv-
cred an eloquent speech upon the Spanish treaty,
and in opposition to transferring Texas to Spain.
In that speech he gave the following description Of
Texas.-[See Greeley's life and speeches of Clay,
Ap. PIP. IL and Is, VOL IL
ssAll the accounts concur in representing Texas
10 be extremely valuable Its superficial extent is
hree or four times greater than that of Florida
The climate is delicious; the soil FERTILE the mar
gins of the rivers abounding in live oak; and tho
country admitting Of easy settlement. 1t possess
'es, moreover, if am not misinformed, one of the
finest ports in the gulf of Mexico. The produc-
ions Of which it is capable are suitable to our
wants. / am not disposed to disparage Florida,
but its intrinsic value is comparatively less than
that of Texas" 1.-THE purchase of Florida, accor-
ling to Mr.. Clay's speech, cost the United States
wenty or twenty five millions of dolars-five
Millions paid in cash, and fifteen or twenty millions
If debts reliuquished by our governmentl
TEXAS WAS ONCE OUR OWN.
Startling as may be the assertion to one not &C.
luainted with the fact, it is nevertheless strictly
rue, that all the vast territory of Texas, with all
Ter rich SOIL her delicious climate, her beautiful
ivers, her spacons bays, her Howery meads and
erdant hills, was once all our own.
In 1903, during Mr.. Jeferson's administration,
he United States purchased from France, the en-
ire territory then known by the name of Louisia-
IA. WHAT'S now called Texas was included in this
urchase, as Louisiana extended westward to the
lio Grande. This fact is incontestably establish
d by official evidence from Jefferson, Monroe, ].
J. Adams and Andrew Jackson.
IENRY CLAW SAYS THAT TEXAS WAS
THE PROPERTY OF THE U. STATES.
The following is an extract from the speech de-
vered by Mr.. Clay in the House of Representa-
yes, April 8, ls2o.-lSee Greeley's life and
'eeches of Clay, vol. !, Ap. p. l2]
"l presume the spectacle will not be presented,
questioning, in this branch of the government,
ir title to Texas, which has been constantly main
ined by the Executive for more than fifteen years
'st, under three several administrations. am at
e same time ready and prepared to make out our
lie, If any one in the House is fearless enough to Z
Dtrovert It." Am