Independent Democrat., 1844-08-07


tions which have contributed SO largely |
! our prosperity, to be placed on a basis (
: permanent security. / implore my fe
2 Iow-citizens to examine this question
1.-THE same spirit, that casting aside the
they approach it as America
J citizens; that they give 10 ii that grave cor
3 sideration which its Importance demand:
that they view it not only as gres
national question affecting the interest
oil Ine whole Union, but as one in whic
their dearest rights and privileges. an,
+ the high and sacred principles of liberty
+ are involved.
j For the better understanding of TIL
: views presented, will give brief sketcl
! Of Texan history.
In the year 1903, treaty was conclu
ded With France, by which the u. s. ac
qnired the territory of Louisiana, and It'll
now universally conceded that the ces
sion included Texas even as far as the
Rio del Norte. By the third article o
that treaty it is provided that 'sthe inhab
itants ofthe ceded territory shall be incor.
porated into the Union of the u. s.. and
admitted as soon as possible according to
the principles of the federal constitution
to all the rights, advantages and immuni-
ties of citizens of the United States, and
in the meantime shall be protected and
malntainedin the free enjoyment of their
liberty, property and the religion which
they proiessn In reference to the stipu-
lations of this article, would here re-
mark once for all, that so far as Texas is
concerned they remain yet to be fulfilled,
andit may be asked with great force, il
the citizens of that country have not the
right TO demand their performance, and if
the United States are not bound in good
faith, now that the opportunity presents
itself, to comply with them, by the mea-
sure now under consideration.
Texas remained under the operations
Of this treaty until 1919, when the United
States by treaty with Spain acquired
Florida, and by establishing our boundary
at the Sabine, ceded the country South
Of that river including the present limits
lot Texas to Spain, Mexico he;ag at that
time province of Spain. This treaty, so
far as it regarded the cession of Texas,
was in direct conflict with the Sd article
of the treaty of Louisiana. 1t was vio-
lently opposed in the House of Represen-
tatives of the United States, by one of the
most distinguished statesmen of our days.
on the ground shat it was prejudicial to
the interests of the country" that the
United States had a perfect title to the
ceded territory, and that the executive
without the consent of congress, had no
constitutional right 10 make the cession.
After this treaty, immigration to Texas,
was invited by bountles of large tracts OF
wild lands to actual settlers, in conse-
quence of which, citizens of the Uuited
States went thither in considerable num-
bers, carrying with them the princ-
pies Of freedom in which they had been
nurtured. In 1921, the province of Mex.
leo, of which Texas constituted Depart
ment, revolted from the government of
Spain and declared her independence;
and in 1924, adopted constitution and
form of government under The title of 'fhe
United Mexican States" The constitution
declared that their government was con-
iederacy of sovereign and independent
States, {of which Texas was one,) having
lika our own system, federal legislature
and executive, for The regulation Of for
eign interests, leaving to tho local legis-
latures Of The several states the manage.
ment Of their internal policy. Under
this system, Texas prospcred. In 1885,
Santa Anna, the present ruler of Mexico,
by military force, usurped the government
procured an act of the Federal congress-
TO bc passed, aboishlng the local legisla-
lures, and established supreme central
government. of which he placed himself
at the head Texas never submitted to
the new government. She resisted this
invasion Of her rights, and on the Cd ofI
March, 1885, declared her separate in
dependence. That declaration was, in
few weeks after. successfully maintained
on The field of San Jacinto, the Mexican
invading army utterly routed, their chief
and the head Of their government taken
captive and restored to liberty, after
Interrogation byshim Of Texan inds-
pendence and under the pledge that this
acknowledgment should in due form, be
subsequently ratified by his government.
With the exception of few predatory in
cursions by the Mexicans, Texas has ever
since remained IN state OF peace, and
her Independence has been acknowledged
by the u. States and the principal powers
of Europe. In 1887, after our acknowI.
edgement Of her independence, Texas ap-
piled for annexation to the United States;
under circumstances then existing, the
overture was declined. Although it is
well understood that Texas never can be
brought under the yoke Of Mexico, and