Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-07-06
To the editors of the Charleston Courie

GENTLEMEN Your papers of the 18th
and 18th inst. have just reached me. 1t
seems, in the opinion of your correspond
ent under the signature Of H, in
the former, and in that of your still more
anonymous correspondent in the latter,
because thought the annexation of Texas
to the Union in lS42, inexpedient, must
think it so in 1874. In the changes Of
this world, measure which may be wis
dom at one time, may be sheer folly and
madness at another.
Very important and significant events
have transpired within the past two years,
giving an entire new aspect to this whole
question. They are before the public,
and will not fatigue your readers with q
recapilulaion.
Even if my opinions remained unchang-
d ed as to the true policy of Texas, the Isl
sues which have been submitted within
the last six months, do not permit me, as
citizen of the United States, to hesitate
as to my own course, or halt in the ex-
preston Of opinions honestly entertained,
however intrinsically valueless.
less than this proposition: Whether the
South shall be inhibited, in consequence
of her slave Institutions, from Justly en-
larging her relative political power, whilst
it is proposed to place no limit on the ex-
tension of that of the non-slaveholding
States
did not submit this issue, nor was | in
any degree instrumental in its being made.
l found il, and | likewise find Mexico,
Great Britain, and the aboltionists, on one
side of this question, and Texas and the
interests of my own country on the other
Can | hesitate in deciding where my pc.
sition should be? In peril and in defeat,
or in strenuous exe,tion and in victory,
abide my choice.
am not aware, as charged BY your
correspondents, that have denounced any
men for maintaining opinions adverse to
my own on this or any other question.
It is true that have said that Mr.. Clay
and Mr.. Van Buren, were excluded from
uttering one syllable in opposition to the
annexation of Texas, because they nego.
tialed with Mexico for the contamination
of this measure, when Mexico and Spain
were in fdgrante bello, at a crisis when
it their arguments are worth bullrush
nop, they were far more potential then. as
a drag-chain to their "unwise efforts" &c
despoil an old and venerable monarchy OF
one of its valuable dependencies. have
no doubt if these gentlemen had recollect
ed this ugly circumstance, they would have
thought twice before they made this on.
slaught on Mr.. Tyler and Mr.. Calhoun,
which the veriest zany in the world will
see is the upshot and design Of their con
iemporaneous and affiliated ewise and
mastery discretion" Politicians, like
liars, should have tall memories.
Before this reaches you, your CORES.
pondents will have found ample compen.
sation for the imputed inconsistency be-
tween my opinions in 1912 and 1914, il
the united triumph of Mr. Clay and Mr..
Van Buren,, in the Senate of the United
States, IN the rejection of the treaty by 9
majority so decisive. A majority, which
speaks volumes in defence of the sterr
independence of that body, Of its entire
exemption from the slightest party bias
or the smallest servility to the mandate!
Of the respective chiefs of its members
If in The historyof our country we have hat
no "Barebones Parliament to disgrace
we may at least lay claim to Senate o
Simon Pures to honor us. Gentlemen O
rare moderation and virtue, who have cas-
away an empire from their country, rattle
than draw unjuslly in question this alb
stract right of an infamous despotism I,
spit and gridiron their own gallant race