Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-08-21
CANTON mss.ssrPrr "WEDNESDAY EVENING, 81,


1.-The annexation Of Texas, as by the hos
tility il shows to the veto power.
Gentlemen, the question of the annexa
ton Of. Texas is the last battlefield of the
South against the majority despotism O
the North. If it be lost, il will be the field
of Waterloo to us. All hope of thai
equality and balance of power in the Lee
gislature of the Union, which is indispen-
sable to our safety and self.protection, will
be extinguished; and We must thenceforth
apply ourselves to the task Of reconcile.
ment to our chains forever. IL you want
proof of this, beyond what the case carries
on its face, you have but TO look to the
leading ground on which opposition to an
nexation is based at the North. That
ground is, that annexation would extend
the slayeholdng region of the South, and
augment its power and consequently en-
danger or lessen the future preponderance
of the North. Yes; sooner than put that
preponderance in hazard-sooner than
risk the loss of the power of ruling and
taxing US forever, according TO. their own
will and interests--the whole wing, and
part Of the democratic party OF the North,
have taken an immovable stand, no: against
immediate annexation merely--not against
annexation under existing circumstances
merely--but against annexation now and
forever, under al! and any circumstances.
The hostility to the reception of Texas into
the Union, springing from this main and
leading ground, is heightened by a religious
sentiment very prevalent at the North
against slavery, and by an apprehension
of an armed Interference from Great Bri.
tain. You will at once perceive, that
these are not in their nature transient and
comfortable, but permanent and irremova
be objections to the measure in that por-
ton of The Northern mind by which they
are entertained. And il was with full
knowledge of the unyieldug character of
the feeling 10 which they had given rise,
and with polite eye 10 it, that Mr.. Clay
penned his letter against annexation, and
put The following sentence in it: 81 DO not
think that Texas ought 10 be admitted into
the Union as an integral part of it, in de-
cided opposition to tn, wishes of consi-
derablc und respectable portion of the
conlederacy."
He knew, when he peuned these lines,
two things: list. That there was con.
siderable and respectable portion of the
confederacy, embracing the body of the
wing party, and fraction of the demo-
cracy of the North, that never would con-
sent to Texas coming into the Union as
an integral part of il; and I'd. He knew
further, that Texas never would consent
to annexation on any other terms. in
vite you, gentlemen, TO review Mr.. Clay's
letter. You will perceive that it amounts
to an unoquivocal declaration that there
ought TO be no attempt 10 acquire Texas;
at least for a long time to come, if ever;
or rather the construction which forces
itself on my mind is, that the attempt ought
never to he made at all.
What spectacle have we here! A
man ilustrous by the long celebrity OF his
talents, by the high stations he has filled,
and by the brilliant figure he has made in
his country's eye for the full third of
centuly-o man ambitious of glory in the
service of his country, and occupying a
most commanding and influential position
such man, in the very act of aspiring
10 the eminently highest post in the
public service, with millions backing his
pretensions and laboring for his elevation,
such man, under such circumstances, has
consented to do what? Why, to tie up his
own hands, in advance, against even
making an effort, no matter how honora-
bly, or successfully it might be made, for
the recovery of what he himself admits
to have been the formerly owned and most
unvisely aliena,ed territory of the Re-
public. Yes! Henry Clay binds himself
in advance, and in view of his election TO
the Presidency, 10 make no effort, to en-
brace no opportunity, of reinstating his
country in the possession of the bounda
ries which The immortal Jefferson gave it
One would have thought that the rich
blaze of glory, which the splendid acqui-
stion would shed around his name and ad
ministraiion through future oges, rivalling
that of Mr.. Jefferson himself, would have
been irresistible TO such a mind as Mr..
CIay's. Why did that and every other
consideration, fail of effect upon himR
Has it come to light, in the slowly-made