Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1844-09-06

Mr.. Clay on Annexation.

cumbia North Alabamian. OF August Is. We
lay II before readers, tho latest expression
OF the great Statosma this interesting subject.
So far the people of this section were concerned
this expression was in no way necessary. There IS
about IT, however, an opcnness and frankness
which leaves nothing more to desire or expect by
either the North or South. Mr.. Clay dospiscs
concealment. His private opinions on public sub
ects we'll his public conduct, arc always
open TO the inspection of friends aud foes. Mr..
Clay cannot pledge the course of the administra-
ton "in the event of his election Chief Ma
gstrate of the | nited State" But. "ie has no
hesitation III saying that, far from having any
personal objection to the annexation of Texas, he
should be glad to It, without. pIsHoSoR-wi.h-
gu, WAR, with the COMMON CONSENT OF THE .IoN
upon Just and fair terms These TERMS no one
viii object to. The common consent of tho L.
mon will be necessary under any adfninistrat on.
or tho admission of Texas would be in despite of
the Union, and would per work dissolution of
the unity of the present States. But wha,
Mr.. Clay the rule of tho Interpretation of du-
~: in the contingency of my election, if the af
fair of acquiring Texas should become q subject
of consideration, it should be governed bv tho
state of the fact, and the state of PUBLIC OPINION
existing at the time might be called upon to act
Above all, | should be GOVERNED by the PARA
MOUNT DUTY of PRESERVING THIS UNION EN-
TIRE. This is clear and explicit. There is no
looking to the North or the South. tho las. tho
West. He looks straigh, ahead. to the interests
and voice of the whole, acknowledging no rule of
duty above or beyond that of preserving THIS L.
ern Considerations, or tho peculiar institutions of
the South. This is like Mr.. Clay--it is like an
American and patriot.
Whilo upon this subject, it gives us pleasure to
bear testimony to the uniform moderation and
growing unanlmity Of the wings, III all parts of
the Union. Tho National Intclligcnccr Of the
23d, contains letter from highly respectable
gentleman residing some fifty miles from Rich
mond under date of August ,, which gvos graft
fving evidence Of tho truth Of this observation
After speaking Of the Frightening prospects of
the Wing cause III that region. and the ncrcas-
ing chance that Mr.. Clay would carry the vote of
Virginia, the writer remarks: 1--WE gain, think,
moro than we lose by tho Texas question: Tho
matter is coming to be properly understood, and
tho peace and honor of the country, and the per-
manence of the Union, will, assurodly, be prefer
red even to territorial aggrandizomont.
How different is the language and action of
the ocofoco party. With them il is PARTY. not
country In this quarter, their public speakers
to some extent ayow annexation leading OBJ
ioct. Their papers are more shy, for fear of of
Tending of tho brethren whose norvos have
not vet become sufficiently strong 10 boar the dis
cordant cry Of DIsUNIoN. The OHIO Statesman
has kept aloof. but its editor tho other evening at
the Market house, in the heat and excitement Of
the moment, threw off all disguise and openly
proclaimed the issue. The New York Pleblan,
the recognized organ Of the EXTREME party III that
State, dspla Us moro manhood md openly ayows
the intention of tho party. That paper OF the
2lst inst. contains tho following shameless "a
yowal:
..Wo know, and SO docs every intelligent man
in the PARTY, that the very action of tue Baitl-
moro Convention in regard 10 Texas EGTRlcATED
the PARTY from position that would HAVE DE-
FEATED 1T NEXT FALL. Had the doctrine of the
Post prevailed in that Convention, by voting down
the resolution to admit Texas at the earliest prac-
tcable PERIOD the Democratic party might as
well have dsbanded, and surrendered our nstitu-
tons to the hands of our opponents. The Wise
deliberation of tho Convention has, in our opn-
ion, saved the democracy from a defeat that a
waited it under any other course of procedure.
There is question upon which the party
is more harmonious than that of acquiring Tex
as and we have not the least doubt but that with
the election of Gov. Polk this great national mea-
sure viii be Accomplishment
But arc DEPRESSING from our original pur-
pose. which was to call attention TO tho letter
from Mr.. Clay. Its open and frank avowals, as
well the reference to some points Of history
will ensure il careful perusal, and we here SUBJ
nit it withou. further remarks.
ASHLAND, 9th July, 1874.
Gen.lcmen:-I have received your favor in