Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1844-05-11

- ~eiayn8 - 10 em IRON
he prospect q scism e division b our
ranks, whisgefy may well sxclaim, through
ito organ, 1.-THE chicksus are I'll hatcled. y
Texas-s1npertant Letters.
Letters from Mr.. Var Buass and Mr..
ClAr, both declaring their opposition to
Ne annexation Of Texas, have simaltane-
ouiy made their appearance. We have
received these letters, but find It impossi-
BE, from their great length, to publish ei-
thsI this week. The letter Of Mr.. Van
Buren, occupies six closely printed col
umns Of the Missouri Reporter, and in the
type we use viii make nearly ten. That
Of Mr.. Clay is much shorter, but could
not Be compressed into less than three and
a half columns.
1--we can poeibly = 80, we viii en-
desvor to give tie views Of the Ex-Presi-
dent in our next. Although he takes
ground against our wishes and feelings, It
is due to him to say that he argues the
question with great ability. He was call
ed upon BY soatl N man Mr.. HAxxEf,
Of Mississippi) "an uninstructed delegate
to the Baltimore democratic convention y
for his views, and he has given them with
much frankness; knowing, At the same time,
that they are far from being acceptable to
the persin by whom he was addressed, and
the opposite of those entertained by very
large portion, if not a majority, Of the par
ty, whose candidate he is for the Pres;-
dency.
Mr.. Van Buren, admits that there are no
constitutional impediments to the introduce
ton of Texas into the Union in the usual
mode Of admitting States, but opposes it on
the grounds Of expediency. He maintains
that Mexico and Texas being still at war,
it would be gross violation Of our treaty
stpulations with the former power to as
sumo guardianship over the latter; and
the strict observance Of all treaty obliga-
tons he regards as Of the utmost import
ance to our national honor. He does moi
believe that any European government
which has not already made up its mind to
provoke war with this country will ever
attempt to colonize Texas, either in form OF
in substance; and adds: eff the time ever
comes when the question resolves itself in
to whether Texas shall become British
dependency or colony, or constitutional
portion Of this Union, the great principle
of self-defence, applicable AZ well to ma
tons as to individuals, would without
doubt produce as great . unanimity amongst
us, in favor of the latter alternative, as
can ever be expected on any great ques-
ton Of foreign or domestic policy" Mr..
Van Buren, further objects to annexation
at the present time because there has been
no expression Of public sentiment in ito
favor. He says: 81 can conceive Of no
public questions, in respect to which il is
more eminently proper that the opinions
and wishes Of the people Of the different
States should be consulted, and, being as
certained, treated with greater respect,
than those which relate to either the ad-
mission Of q new member into the confed-
eracy,- or the acquisition Of additional ter
ritory with view to such result" He
closes his letter with the following frank,
manly and Independent avowal:
"There may, Notwithstanding, be those,
on both sides d this great question, who
are unwilling to confer their suffsges on
one who is not prepared to give thesn spe-
ci6c pledges in regard TO the course he
would, If elected, pursue in regard to the
various aspects in which this matter may
be presented. To all such have
only to say-and ! do so with the greatest
sincerely l have not the slightest
disposition to question their right SO to
regulate their conduct, and will be the last
to complain Of its exercise. If tlsere be
any enc who they believe can Be more
safely entrusted with their interest IN this
Dr any other Of the great questions Of pub
lie policy which are Likely 10 arise in the
Of the government, or whose
as to his future course are
more satisfactory to them, they viii, NO
doubt, be well warranted in giving him
their preference, and they may be assured
that no one will more cheerfutly acouiesce
in decision, made from such motives.
Than myself have expressed = willing
ness to discharge, to thesbest Of my abiE-
hes, the responsible duties of the hieh Of.
fee in question, should The Democracy Of
The United States be able and willing to re-
elect me to the same. But I can take NO
gtsps to obtain It by which my ability to
discharge it, duties impartially and use-
fully to every portion Of our common coun-
Ery would Be impaired; nor can I, in any
extremity, be induced to eat shade over
The motives Of my past ~, by changes or
,cncealment Of opinions maturely formed
upon great national question, for the UNI
worthy purpose Of increasing my chances
bf political promotion"
Wecannct perceive, from hasty peru