Independent Democrat., 1844-08-07

J her minister at Washington, thai on the
refusal OF our government to annex her,
she will enter into alliance or engage
menis with England* Under the in
fuence of British counsels, and under the
operation of such commercial treaties as
it would be The interest of both parties 10
enter. into, the injury which would be in
ficted on the agricultural, commercial
and manufacturing interests of this Union,
is most obvious. England is the chief Gus
toner of the South, furnishing market
for at least three fourlhs of our cotton
crop. 1t has been said, with much force
and truth, that by means of this great sta
pie, England has become colony of the
United States. She wishes TO get rid oil
this colonial dependence. Texas can soon
supply her wants. By the imposition of
duties discriminating in favor of Texas
cotton, England can give the Texan cotton
planter decided advantage over the pro-
ducer of that article elsewhere. And with
this powerful stimulus to its growth, and a
soil and climate in all respects better adap-
ted than our own TO its cultivation, the
production of cotton would increase with
astonishing rapidity in Texas, and, in a
very short time, would take exclusive pos
session of the British market. What then
would be our condition? That 'consum-
nation" SO ardently desired, and so boldly
avowed by the British Government, would
be effected. Your slave property would
be worthless. The cotton planting States,
and all the Western States, that find a
market with them for their produce, would
present scene of wide spread ruin and
desoIation.
The consequence TO our domestic manu-
tactures would be oless disastrous. I'M
der system of free trade between Eng
land and Texas, vast quantities Of foreign
manufactures would be introduced into the
ports of Texas, for the consumption OF
the Northern Republic. The extent Of
our Southern frontier is 81 great as to rem
der it impossible 10 prevent smuggling,
on the most extensive scale; and thus, this
cherished branch Of American industry
would be prostrated. If this branch OF
industry is to be sustained only by exact
ing tribute from the other interests of the
country, do not myself deprecate this last
result, except so far as public morals may
be affected. throw it out for the consl-
deration of those who think differently
There is however another consequence OF
this state of things much to be dreaded
a resort 10 direct taXation-for the revenue
from duties on imports would be almost
wholly destroyed. Further a great, if not
the largest portion of the imports OF New
York and the other cities Of the North,
would be transferred to Galveston and the
other ports of Texas, and carried IN for
eign vessels, and thus our navigating and
commercial interests would be seriously
injured.
Such, fellow citizens, are few Of the
facts and reasons, summarily presented,
which would Justify us, beforo san enlight-
ened and impartial world" in promptly
accepting the protfered boon of Ounexa
ton. Rightly viewed, It is not a question
between Mexico and the United States,
bat between England and the United
States. 1t is British and American
question: struggle between the govern
ments of these two rival powers which
shall secure the rich prize now lying be-
fore them. 1t is now freely offered to US.
The "golden moment" is even now. If
| we falter and hesitate, it may be forever
too late; and this vast, fertile, and beau
tful region will be to us foreign land;
and our countrymen and kinsmen who in
habit it, will become to us Aliens and with
immense advantages in their favor, rirals
in the products OF cur industry.
There remains, iellow.citizens, another
view of the necessity for annexation, Vi
tally interesting to the South. To the
rest Of the Union, this measure is fraught
with pecuniary advantages, to the South,
it is one of safety; and solemny believe
that not only the political influence oe the
South, but the very existence of our So
cial system depends on it. With us IT is
literally question oflfe or death. Un-
der existing circumstances annexation is
absolutely and indispensbly necessary
for the protection and preservation ofour
domestic institutions from the dangerous
& insidious assaults now being made both
at home and from abroad. enter
upon this part of the subject with
reluctance, for it is but too well
calculated to excite sectional feelings
But the blame rests not with ns-lhis con
sideration is intimately connected with
the question-every man woman and child
in the South is interested in it, and may
not in justice either TO the subject or to
I you omit it, There may 6e, there are, well
meaning persons who object 10 III --stsa-
/ zion Of tiiis topic by the people OF the
Soath at any time, and especially on this
day. Assaued as we are, in this our
most vulnerable point, shall we cry peace!
peace! whea there is no peace? And are