The Arkansas banner., 1844-06-26
TAKE SIDES

and the British side, And every day adds confrma- ton to our belief. We had hoped that upon such . question, few American citizens would be found taking sides against their country and trucking tc British power. Yet there are some such--too many alas! for the honor and interest of our country.--
 Those who have gone bodily over to the enemy under their leader, Henry C3oy, are of course, past
 the hope of redemption. But if there should be some who still hesitate-,yho still doubt which side patriotism requires them 10 taze-who wish to dc
 right and pause for want of knowledge, we ask their
 immediate attention and serious consideration, to
 the following extract from an English newspaper
 which reached New York, on the Isl instant by the
 ship Caledonia It is a report of proceedings in tho
 British House 6f Lords;
 "ANNExATIoN OF TExAs-Lord Brougham
 wished to ask the noble lord, the Secretary
 for Foreign Affairs, fl he had received informa-
 ton with respect to the annexation of Texas
 with the United States. This was question
 oi vast importance, so far as the abolition ol
 slavery was concerned, bul he trusted thai
 the deciding portion of Congress, namely
 two-thirds of the members, would oppose it
 Nothing which had dropped from him or the
 noble lord a. tke head of the foreign depart
 ment even justified the inference that this
 country, although deploring the existence ol
 slavery, ever contemplated any interference
 with the constitution of America.
 The Earl of Aberdeen said tlle noble and
 learned lord could not expect him to give a
 precise answer to the question he asked. It
 was subject quite new and unexampled in i the history of nations, and his noble and
 learned friend might depend upon 1t that 1t would receive the most serious attention of her Maiesty's government. It was true, he believed, that the treaty for the annexation of Texas to the United States had been signed ], but he agreed in the hope expressed by his noble and learned friend, that the majority of Congress would not agree 10 the ratification of it''
 Now we ask all candid readers, of all parties, if this be not declaration of the wishes of the British Government expressed throughher Prime Minister, oeanst the annexation of Texas to the United States: No other construction can be put upon it. II is be- lieved too, that the men if not the only obstacle in the way of the assent of Mexico to annexalion has been the opposition of England, through her Minis ters and it is well understood how completely Eng ibIu coilllolS AheAltos U9 ulG eAoluIouo uF-9#sIG holds over her. No one do1Sts ,hat ii rsingland had wished it, Mexico would, long since, have ac- knowledged the independence of Texas and it is equally certain that she will never allow her to ac knowledge it except on condition of the abolition of slavery in Texas Here, then, NC find England, our old and implacabe enemy holding control over Mexico, and exertng that control to our embamass- ment and injury; not only in her policy al home,- but through her Minister, daring to execute 1t, at the very door of our Capitol by interfering with our intercourse with foreign nations-and worse than murderous blow at the very vitals of our domestic institutions. Americans, are you prepared to submit to this2 But few years ago. Daniel IFe5ster dared to declare in the Senate of the United States, when Ne were threatened with d war; that he would not vote for the appropriation pro posed for the emergency sif the enemy, were, then laundering at the doors of the Capiol.'' And what was the indignant response of the American people? Was there man, of any political party, who dared approve that deciaraten' God forbid! Even John Quincy Qdams exclaimed that Webster had only one more step to take and he would be in the enemY's camp. Yet this same Daniel Webster is now q leader, second in command only to Henry Clay, of the British and Abolition forces agaahSt annexation and against their country He is the man who says that slave holders not fit to be admitted, as citizens, into the United States. People of Arkans 'as-people of the whole South West-are you pre- pared to follow leaders who hold such opinions, and who denounce you in terms so degrading! Do you send your Senators and Representatives to Wash ngton, to submit tamely to British domination, and lumbly execute the edicts of British Parliament! If so, then have you forfeited your birth-right, as freemen, and thrown away your independence, as men. But this cannot be Never can we believe that your voices will ever be gvenn support of men or measures so hostile to the interest and honor of your country at large-so positively destructive to the South and West
 If then, we be right in estimate of your char acter and feelings, you cannot fail to come out and take sides for your country against Great Britain.- You cannot withhold the proud patriot shout of .up with the American Eagle, and down with the British Lion!''
 TIF RroGRA SEJ-TCtIrs of poll- and DaI-