The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-08-23

as early as 1922, was received as minister in Mexi
CO in June 1916 On the 26th Of March 1925, Mr.
Clay-then secretary Of state-drew up letter o
instructions to Mr.. Poinsett. He dwes upon th
subject ofthe establishment of the limits betweeI
the territories Of the United States and Mexico
government in relation 10 the establishment OF {
new line. Mr.. Clay says
''The line of the Sabine approaches our grea
western mart nearer than could be wished. Per
haps the Mexican government may not be unwil
ling to establish that of the Rio Brassos de Dios,
the Colorado, or the snow mountains, or the Rit
del Norte, in lieu oft"
He then suggests some reasons which might in
duce the government to consent to the change
and names as a reason why we should have Texas
the importance ofhaving entirely within our limit
"the Red River and Arkansas, and their tributary
streams" In drawing up these instructions fol
the annexation Of Texas, Mr.. Clay says, "the pres
dent wishes you to effect that object"
This subject was renewed two years later-1s27
and Mr.. Poinsett was instructed to urge negotla
ton for Texas. In letter dated March 10, 1927
Mr.. Clay says
"If we could obtain such a boundary as we de-
sire, the government of the United States NIGH
be disposed to pay reasonable pecunary compen'
sation. The boundary we prefer Is that which be-
ginning at the mouth of the Rio del Norte in the
sea, shall ascend that river TO the mouth OF the
Rio Puero thence ascending this river to its source
and from its by line due north to strike the
Arkansas to its source in latitude AZ degrees north
and thence by that parallel of latitude to the south
sea-
Mr.. Clay further instructed Mr.. Poinsett to offer
sum not exceeding one million of dollars for this
immense territory; or, if he could not obtain the
line ofthe Rio del Norte for boundary, then he
mi ght offer five hundred thousand dollars for the
line of the Colorado river. He further states that
the treaty may 'provde for the incorporation OF
the inhabitants into the Union" A reference to
the map of Texas will show, better than any de-
scription we can write, the great addition this
proposition would have made-if accepted by Mex
ico--to our Union.
1t should be borne In mind that these proposals
of Henry Clay, to purchase Texas, were made
while Mexico was struggling for her existence
with Spain; consequently war with the latter
power must have followed its successful termina-
ton.
When all this is considered, what can exceed the
reckless inconsistency of such men as Ewing and
others of the wing party in endcavorng to tnrn this
project to party accounts? Every where demo-
cratic statesmen are represented to be the Catanes
who are maturing this 'infernal plot" of annexa-
ton, and whg statesmen are the Ciceros who are
to expose it and defeat it! Itis the whig press and
whig stumping that is to save our country from
this ''dire calamity" All this, too, in the face of
the fact that Henry Clay-who defended our title
to Texas upon the Florida treaty of lsl9-who con-
tended that it was ours in spite of the treaty-who
while secretary of state, endeavored to obtain 1t at
the risk of war with Spain and the loss of nation
al honor-who, two years later, endeavored topur-
chase it at the cost OF million of dollars-is before
the country as the "embodiement Of whig princi-
ples!" What can exceed this reckless inconsis-
tency: To save the country from this "infsrnal
plot" the people must elect to the presidency a
man who has done all that man could do to annex
Texas to the Union! Oh, shame, where is thy
blush!
Upon the whole, although the wings may think
they have given us death blow by the exhibition
of this "big gun" of whiggery, five are not very
much mistaken, 1t will operate to our advantage.
Every one who heard him was more or less d;;:sap-
pointed, and he might speak ~, doom,av and moi
democrat %"ould be frightened from bis propriety;
a any ,nlng they are confirmed and settled in
their faith. But, on the other hand, if we can
judge from the want of that ent husasm which ac-
companies the support of good cause, we should
say that his own party was mortified. All we have
to say to the wings is bring US some more such
spcakers-let US have few more such "great mass
meetings. Guard
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