Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1844-05-21
GEORGETOWN. O., TUESDAY MAY 21, 1874.

lie tuDctlOnaTles as we'll those who adj
VOcate this measure as those who oppose
IL, however much they may differ as 10
its effects, will, l am sure, be equally
sOlieiious GoI the performance of this
first Of duties. II has hitherto been ouI
pride and our boast, that, whilst the lust
Of power, with fraud and violence in its
train, has led other and differently con-
ituIed governments 10 aggression and
conquest, our movements in these res
specls have been regulated by reason and
Justice.
A disposition 10 delTact from our pre-
tensions in this respect, will, in the ma
ture Of things, be always prevalent else
where; and has, at this very moment,
and from special causes, assumed, in
some quarters, The most rabid character.
Should not every one, then, who sincere
ly loves his couniry-who venerates its
time honOred and glorious Institutions
who dwells with pride and delight on
associations connected with our Sc, pro.
gress, and present conditiOn-On the
STEADY step with which we have adVanc
ed to our present eninence, in despite
OF the hostility, and in contempt of the
bitter reViliUgs Of the enemies offreedom
in all parts Of The glObe-consider, and
that deeply, whether we would not, bg
the immediate annexation of Texas, place
weapon in the hands Of those who now
look upon US and our institutions with
disiTustiuI and envious eyes, that would
do us mOIe real, lasting injury, as na'
tioD, than the acquisition Of such a ter
ritOry, valuable as it undoubtedly is,
could possibly repayi II is said, and tIu-
ly said, that this war between Texas and
Mexico, has already been of too long du'
ration. We are, and must continue TO
be, more or less annoyed by its prosecu>
ton, and have, undoubtedly, as has been
remarked, an interest in seeing it termi-
mated. But can we appeal 10 any prin'
ciple 10 the law Of nations, to which we
practice scrupulous adherence, that
w0nld, under present circumstances JUS
tify us in interfering for its suppression
in a manner that would unavoidably
make US party 10 its further prosecu-
tion? Can this position be made suffi.
ciently clear TO justify US in committing
the peace and honor Of the country TO its
support
In regard to the performance by US of
tina: duty, so difficult foI any government
10 perform-the OBJ ervance of an hon.
est neutrality between nations at war
we can now look through our whole ca
reer, since our first admission into the
family Of nations, not only without
blush, but with feelings of honest pride
and satisfaction. The way was opened
by President Washington himself, under
circumstances of the most difficult char
acter, and at no less hazard than that
of exposing ourselves to plausible, yet
unjust imputalions Of inidelity to treaty
stipulations. The path he trOd with
such unfaltering steps, and which led TO
such beneficial results, has hitherto been
pursued with unvarying fidelity by every
one Of his SUCCESSORS Of whom it becomes
me 10 speak.
IL our sympathies could induce a de.
parture from policy which has so much
in its commencement to consecrate il,
and such advantages TO recommend its
continuance, they would. doubtless draw
Us TO the side of Texas. That the hap
piness Of her people would be promoted
by the maintenance of her independence
have no doubt. Few, if any, efforts
for lhe extension Of the blessings Of free
government in any part of the world have
been made since The establishment Of our
independence, that have failed 10 excite
our earnest and sincere wishes for their
success. But they have never been per-
mitted to Withdraw US from the faithful
performance Uf our duty as neutral ma
iion. They were excited, and deeply,
100, at the commencement of the French
revolution ;they were revived in the sIrug-
gle of the South American states for the
establishment Of their independence ;they
have been put to their seVeresi trial in
this very contest between Texas and
Mexico. Yet, in that whole period of
time, amidst the cOnvulsionS of empires,
and the Iawlessness of power by which
many ofits possessOrs have been distin-
guished, il has been cardinal point in
the administration Of the affairs Of this re.
public TO adhere with the slrictest fdel-
| ity 10 the rule which was laid down by
Washington, enforced by Jefferson, and
respected, with undated sincerity, by
their successors.
| There is another circumstance which
is we'll calculated to mislead US upon
this subject. Many, il not most, of the
persons to be affected by the decision Of
sshls question were once citizens of the
u. States, and have still their relative S
and friends amongst US. | am not una
/, ware Of The hazard to which | expose my
, standing with the latter, in speaking thus
!. unreservedIy upon point SO we'll calcu'
|, lated to excite deep feelings. This il
/. perhaps more particularly applicable to