The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-08-30

accepted. If in military view alone the question
be examined, it will be found to be most impor-
tant to the United States to be in possession ofthat
territory. Great Britain has already made treaties
with Texas, and reserves (as she doubtless will)
the northeastern boundary question for the Ore
gon] as cause of war with us when she chooses
to declare it. Let US suppose that as an ally with
Texas we are to fight her. Preparatory to such
movement, she sends her twenty thousand or thirty
thousand men TO Texas; organizes them on the
Sabine, where her supplies and arms can be
concentrated before we have even notice of her
intentions; makes a lodgment on the Mississippi,
eXcites the negroes to insurrection; the lower
country falls, and with it New Orleans; and
servile war RACES throughout the entire south and
west. In the mean while she is also moving an
army along the upper western frontier from Cana
da, which, in cooperation with the army from
Texas, spreads ruin and havoc from the Lakes to
the Gulf of Mexico. Who can estimate the
national loss we may SUSTAIN before such move
ment could be repelled with such force as we
could organize on short notice? Remember that
Texas borders upon us On our west to AZ degrees
north latitude, and is our southern boundary TO the
Pacific. Remember also, that, if annexed to the
United States, our western boundary would be the
Rio Grande, which is of itself fortilication, on
account of its extensive barren and uninhabitable
plains. With such barrier TO our west, we are
invincible. The whole European world could not,
in combination against US make an impression on
our Union.'
In a more recent letter from General Jackson,
dated March ii, 1914, he uses the following ex-
pressions:
"Need call your attention to the situation of
the United States-England in possession ofTexas,
or in strict alliance, offensive and defensive and
contending for California. How easy would it be
for Great Britain to nterpose force sufficient to
prevent emigration to California from the United
States, and supply her garrison from Texas?-
Every real American, when he views this, with
the danger 10 New Orleans, from British arms from
Texas, must unite heart and hand in favor of
1t will be strong iron hoop around our Union,
and bulwark, against all foreign invasion or ag-
gresson. l say again, let not this opportunity
slip to regain Texas, or it may elude our grasp
forever, or cost US oceans of blood, or millions OF
money, to free us from the evils that may be
brought upon us!"
Thus speaks the old Hero of the Hermitage
Next listen to the language of Kentucky's brilliant
orator, Henry Clay.
HENRY CLAY SAYS THAT THE SAFETY
OF TWO THIRDS OF THE UNION DE-
PENDS UPON THE SECURITY OF THE
SOUTH.
In Mrs Clay's speech delivered in the Senate
December %, 1910, he made the following decla-
ration. [See Greeley's life ard speeches of Clay,
vol. l, page III
"It cannot be too often repeated, that if Cuba
on the one hand and Florida on the other, are in
the possession of foreign maratime power, [Great
Britain,1 the immense extent of country belonging
to the United States, and watered by streams
discharging themselves into the Gulf of Mexico
that is, one third nay, more than t,co thirds of the
United States, comprehending Louisiana, are
placed al the merry Of that po,cer."
In Mr.. Clay's 1920 speech, from which quota
tions have been already given, he says that the
value of Florida is s'incomprably less than that
Of Teras;" but he declares that two thirds of the
Union would be at the mercy of England if she
was in the possession of Cuba and Florida; how
much more then of our territory would be endan-
gered by Great Britain obtaining the command OF
IerdS and Cuba? 1t is known that the British
aim at gaining the control of the gulf, and to do
this they struggle for Texas and Cuba
| Again-in Mr. Clay's instructions to the Amer.
ican Minister at Mexico, dated March 26, 1925, he
says: "The line of the Sabine 1.-THE Texas bounda.
| ryl approaches our great western mart New
Orleans1 nearer than could be desired" This is
no new idea with Mr.. Clay-but twenty years ago
this distinguished statesman foresaw the danger tc
result from the close contiguity of New Orleans to
foreign State, and only separated from it by an
insignificant river, which would render facilities
rather than distractions to the approach of an
enemy. Twenty years ago New Orleans did moi
possess one eighth its present consequence, and
Texas was comparatively wilderness.
Already does bloody England hem US in on the
North by Canada,-she is attempting to rob US Of
Oregon, that she may border US on the west,-she
is striving to secure foothold in Texas, that she
may have us on the south, she has for scores oil
years sought to fitch from Spain the island oi
Cuba, which reaches within forty miles of our
territory, and she expects by her superior naval
power TO encompass us on the east and thus would
we be surrounded by and completely at the mercy
of our old, inveterate foe, the same enemy that
brbed the savage to butcher the wives and children
of our people, and to burn at the stake hundreds
of defenseless victims. By such power will we
be hedged in, if there is not some check placed
upon the encroachments of Great Britain.
THE PURCHASE OF LOUISIANA AND
FLORIDA.
In 1903 the United States paid France fifteen
millions of dollars for the territory known by the
name of Louisiana; and in 1919 we paid SPAN
FIVE millions of dollars, in addition to the rein-
e 1f oil