The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1844-05-16
Letter frum Commodore Stewart On Texas.


ply TO one from j. TAOmpsOA delegate HOthe BaNi-
ROre Convention. asking his opinions on Texas
HILL OF Health, 2
Near BOrdeatOfrH, " J.
,- May, 2, 1871
SR have bad the honor 10 receive your letter ofthe
P9heflast month, intimatBg that have "been spoken
Of as candidate for the Office of President Of the u
nied States" remarking also that an iLteigent peo-
pie, exercising the right of selecting their own chief
magistrate, are entitled okno@ the opinions Of those
whom they may selectas their candidates, upon the
leading questions that agtate the public mind" and
concluding with asking mine on 'he question Of the an
neXation of Texas 10 the Union" oneShfth, "from
The necessity Of immediate action upon it. is the most
prominent and interesting measure now before the peo
pie" AAdyou also add, that "being delegate 10 the
Baltimore Convention which assemblies on the 9th o.
May,it WILDE your desire to make my views on this
subject public"
lam profoundly sensible Of your good and patriotic
views in making this enquiry, under existing crcum-
Stances and shall proceed to reply in all fankness and
sincerity, 10 your inquiry
Iassume that there exists no constitutional objection
10 Texas being incorporated with our Union. That
question appears 10 bese at rest since acquisition
of Louisiana and Florida, and the abundant and,
have supposed satisfactory discussion cfi 10 wAich all
have access via at least venture to say That they
have satisfied my mind.
Passing then, to the general question: the reasons are
20 numerous cogent powerful and urgent both on the
ofpolicy and humanity for making Texas part of
The Union and have so strong bearing upon our ma
tona industry revenues prosperity, and power, that
have not been able to refuse the assent Of my judgment
TO them.
IhaEe considered on the other hand the views alleged
against the measure and greatly as the sources whence
they emenate are entitled TO, and have my respect they
have not proved on the camest reflection, sufficient
with to outweigh the strong reasons that exist in its
favor That step Of much magnitude, present and
future should meet with opposition in the first instance
Is to be expected This was the case when we acqui-
red Louisiana and Florida, the objections to which are
now forgotten in the unsPeakable advantages flowing
rom it, and to flow throughout ages TO come Such it
appears to me, would decidedly attend the annexation
OF Texas Millions unborn, and ages in the future,
may be expected to reap the advantages of its ncorpo-
ration Whour UaOn long after the objections OF the day
are forgotten.
This important acquisition, which can now be OBJ
tained with honor and advantage to all parties tses-
ted bringing with it the consent and affections OF its in
habitants will perhaps when future necessity makes
its acquisition imperative, be acquired only by desoa-
ting war; sangunary contests and the loss OF those al
econs Of the Texan inhabitants essential to happi
ness IN united and republican people. But would
not be tt gaining these advantages however ranscen-
J,n and holaua thpuw woud ha for
try, at the expense Of Justice.
The main question, therefore, is would "annexa-
lion" give Mexico just ground of compaint'-for, of
course, no other foreign country has any thing to do
with the question Now, have not been able to bring
my mind to the conclusion that it gives Mexico any Just
cause Of complaint whatever 1t IS almost eight gears
since Texas won her independence at The decisive bat
lie of San Jacinto No serious invasion of her soil, or
other efforts or important movements in arms have |
been made by Mexico against her since that decisive
victory. 1t was in fact the consumaicn OF Texian |
independence and has produced throughout the world
the unavoidable effect Of event so decisive. The
most powerful states Of Europe have fully recognized
the independence OF Texas-not suddenly ii is necessa
ry TO bear in mnd bat after letting time enough eapse
fairly to attest that the Overwhelming victory of San ia
eino was decisive. Those states never would have
recognized her independence so long as they supposed
there existed any probability Of Mexico being able again
TO reduce Texas 10 submission by force Of arms. 1t
has, indeed been principle with the United States
when civil war existed in countries, to treat each party
alike, as soon as the power of wagng war de fae ex
listed with each But this has not been the practice Of
the great powers Of Europe. They act on different
principles to which their institutions more naturally in
cline them. They are slow TO sanction resistance, in
any shape, to existing authority in government They
were very tardy, as all may remember, in acknowl-
.edging the independence of the revolted colonies Of
Spanish America, including Mexico among hem.-
Nevertheless most OF those ancient kingdoms and states
have adopted Texas into the family of nations by their
most seenln acts of recognition which mean with them
great deal more than the mere formal acknowledge
ment Of a de fzco government existing in Texas and
liable, at any moment, to be again overhrown; and
which facts may therefore, well make us feel easy as to
itber opinion of annexation.
The capture OF Lord CORVALLIS did not more eectu
ally establish independence for us by force ofarns not
as much SO, perhaps all circumstances considered as
the total overthrow Of the Mexican forces at Jacnto
and simultaneous capture of the head of the Mexican
nation, established independence for Texas. Great
Britain acknowledged ours Immediately after the for
mer event, an ancient proud, and powerful monarchy
as she was; yet Mexso keeps up the idle show of still
being the parent State over Texas now, nearly eigh'
o.rs ,Ger the uer extinction Of aher rowers of sl-