The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-06-06
LETTER
FROM THE HON. JOHN P. KENNEDY,
TO A CITIZEN OF BALTIMORE.
HOUSE OF REPS. Nav Is. 1914.


ton for the annexation of Texas. | have Just
seen the resolutions which were adopted by
the meeting on Monday evening, of those who.
call themselves the Democracy of Baltimore.
| One of the resolutions relates TO this sub
lject:
"That this meeting considers the r%eannex-
alton ofTexas 10 the United States, ofwhich
it was rightfully a portion previous to the inn
provident cession Of 1919, a measure indis-
pensable to our security against foreign ag-
gression in that quarter, the extension ofthe
domestic commercial exchanges of our coun-
try, and the securing the blessings of Re.
| publican Government to a people allied to.
US in blood and political sympathy and
that we shall hail the day when her now soli-.
tary star shall blend in harmonious order with.
the constellation thai. blazes on the Ameri-
can flag"
This resolution in common with the others
the Republican informs US, was adopted ''by.
reclamation"
Notwithstandin this reclamation, I venture.
to say the sentiment is not the sentiment of
our State.
Maryland has very strong reason to OPP
pose the annexation. We have been sufi-
GENTLY drained of valuable portions of our
population already, by the opening of new
States,to teach us the duty of resisting this eff
fort to incorporate a Foreign Nation with the
Union.
Up to the present day, however, we have
felt, in the wonderful growth and prosperity
ofthe West, and in the strength and grand
eur which that region has given 10 our Re
public, too many incentives to patriotic pride
not TO acknowledge that it would be selfish
in "the old thirteen" to complain of that glo-
rious march of civilization which began and
moved forth from our borders. But, surely
we may be content now with the limits OF
our present C~onfederacy, and be excused for
desiring TO pause in the career of territorial
acquisition. The next half century may find
useful occupation in filling up the space
which we have acquired, and in turning TO IFS
appropriate uses that vast domain which we
have laid off for future settlement and habit
alton.
Maryland has paid her full tribute TO this
great enterprise. To say nothing other gal
liant %effusion of blood and treasure in the war
of the Revolution, by which this imperial
/ domain was won from the British Crown
nothing of her cheerful acquiescenee in the
allotment of large. sections of that domain to
the local benefit and special use ofthe West
! ern States, and her own utter exclusion from
all share or lot in that rich possession, she
has lost intellectually more than any division
of that domain might reimburse, in the dimi-
mutton of her resources by the constant flow
Of her people and wealth beyond the Allegha-
ny. Much of our best soil untitled, many
mines unexplored, many excellent farms a.
bandoned, the whole ofour landed property
, deprecated in value, some of our counties
not only become stationary, but actually ret
rogade in population, taxation increased and
the capacity 10 bear it diminished-these
are some of the evidences of our sacrifices
in favor of the new territories of the Union;
sacrifices which we have borne without re-
pining from the affectionate interest we have
taken in the success of the younger States.
The vigor of these States, we have painfully
felt, is drawn in part from the life-blood OF
the parent stock. | think we may be approx
ed and seconded now for desiring to see some
concentration, some consolidation, at least,
OF the present elements ofthis Union, before
we set out anew in quest Of more extensive
acquisitions.
These considerations, apart from many
graver objections, would disincline me TO
look with favor upon the incorporation of Tex
as with the Union. But there are many gra-
yer objections.
The present attempt is distinguished by
incidents which ought to raise against it the
revolt of every honorable mind. 1t has be-
gun in a humiliating intrigue, on the part OF
our Government, TO persuade Texas to per-
NIT it not to solicit this alliance, and the peo-
pie of that country have, there is good reason
10 believe, only been reconciled to this act
of condecension by systematic misrepresent-
, alton of the state of opinion here, by alter
nate threat and entreaty, and by the lure of
exhorbitant profit TO be conferred by our act.
: Amongst these Misrepresentation was that
which has proved so VIGOROUSLY false, import
ing that two-thirds Of the Senate were ascer-
tanned to be favorable 10 the measure, and
would vote TO sustain it. 1t might refer 10
! many others, but the whole history will be
. very soon made public.
Towards Mexico this proceeding is still
: more dishonorable. If not a downright act
t of peridy, it is, at the best, a fragrant viola
tion of former pledges of friendship; an of
fence against the law ofnations; a positive
act of war altogether unworthy ola just and
magnanimous people. 1t has the air of vul-
E gar domineering over one supposed to be in
} ferior in proves, a trespass upon the feeble.
0 ness of an adversary which would not be at
e tempted against one who had the power to
resist us. In this point ofview. nothing could
be more repugnant to the proud sensibility
and genu ne American spirit of our people. Ii
will be spurned by them as a stain upon theiI