The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-05-31
concluded next week.
COLONEL JOHNSON ON THE TEXAS
QUESTION.

COLONEL JOHNSON ON THE TEXAS
QUESTION.
To letter from committee appointed at are
cent anti Texas meeting in Cincinnati. Col R. M
Johnson has returned th following reply:
ScorT Co., KY, April 9, 1874.
GENTLEMEN:-Your letter, and the Cincinnati
Gazette. to which you refer, have just been receiv
ed, requesting to know my opinion as to the annex
alton ofTexas to the United States l return yol
my thanks for this call. l enclose my published
letter on that subject, which hope will be salts
factory answer as to my opinion on the main poin
ofyour communication.
With great respect,
Your fellow citizen, and ob't servant,
RH. M. JOHNSON.
Messrs S. P. Chase, T. Heaton, s. Lewis, G
Bailey, T. Fnckbine, committee.
LETTER REFERRED TO ABOVE.
WHITE SuLpHER SPRINGs,}
Scott County, Ky.
| GENTLEMEN: have received yours, without
date, of December, ls43, making inquiry if am
in favor the annexation of Texas to the Confedera
cy
am in favor Of the annexation on equal ground
with the original States when it shall be in accor-
dance with the sentiments and wishes of majority
of the people of the United States, and the people
Of that ter rritory consenting. The constitutional
question was settled when Louisiana was purchased;
and in addition to this, Texas was part Of that
purchase.
The States of Louisiana, part of Mississippi, Ar
kansas, Missouri, and the Territory OF Iowasprove
to demonstration the value of that acquisition
Texas is as much part of the Mississippi Valley
as these Statss and in respect less important to
the happiness and stability of the Union. The
question of slavery would belong exclusively to the
people of the new States when admitted into the
confederacy, by constitutional guaranty, with
which would have no more right to interfere than
with their religion. The practical illustration of
my views on this last point will be found in my two
Sunday mail reports, as Chairman OF two committees
Of Congress, one ofthe Senate and the other of the
House.
As confirmation of the sincerity Of my opinion
as to Texas, the first public act of my life was the
raising of company of volunteers to descend our
western waters to New Orleans, upwards Of forty
years ago. to vndicate our right to navigate these
waters, when closed against us by Spanish Inten-
dant, and which fortunately resulted in the purchase
of Louisiana. To maintain the federal constitu-
ton, and the sovereignty of the States particularly
over their domestic institutions, offered my life
freely on the battle field, thirty years ago, against
our commencing am willing, when the same
necessity shall exist, TO pour out the remainder Of
my blood to vindicate and maintain them.
This feeling is not confined to locality, But to
the whole Union; as consider benefitto one por-
ton benefit to ALL and an injury to one section an
injury to all. Our country is an identity, and can
not be divided without ruin. 1t is with pleasure,
and with the greatest respect, that make known
to youmy sentiments upon the subject Of your in
quiry.
Most respectfully,
Your fellow citizen,
RH. M. JOHNSON.