Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-12-03

There ia IN inherent love Of honor and Of lls-
tice pervadng the public mind in this country,
which no man who duly appreciates the charac-
ter OF the American people will he 81 scn>eiess or
50 narfow-IninGed IS for 4 moment 10 suppose il
confined 10 any particular section OF the Union,
OF exclusively enjoyed by aay particular party.
This Difference 10 principle is co-cx;ensive with
our institutions, ami as widely spread as orr ter
lorial limits. Yet il is perfectly obvious that it
is by appeals 10 this moral sense OF the commune
" that much Of the feeling niasonstic TO the
Annexation OF Texas has teen assaiied With
how much justice this has been done will appear
from a calm aud deliberate examination Of The
subject.
In common with others, bo:h Mr. Clay and Mr.
Van BureE, in the exhibition OF their views, ap-
pear 10 have fallen into capital error, which has
given but too much color 10 these imputations.
upon the principles and motives Of those who dill
iered with them in opinion, and which il is not
easy 10 reconcile with the long and practical expert
cnce which both OF these gentlemen have had in
public affairs. They have urged, As the chief
Foundation other hostility 10 the measure OF an
neyaion as it was presented al the last session of
Congress- that ii would involve d serious injury
10 the subs;s;ng rights Of Mexico They have IN
limalcd that, in their Judgment the connection
which at ono time existed between Mexico and
Texas still continues; that Ibis connc1ion cannot
be rishtlully and wholly dissolved without the e1-
press or implied assent OF Doth parties; and that
notwithstanding tie public declaration by Texas,
that this conreaion has been terminated, the actu-
al enjoyment of her independence, and the lorinal
recognition OF this Independence by The United
States, and several ofthe leading soveregns Of Eu-
rope, still 10 certain purposes Mexico retains her
original claim 10 the sovereignty OF the country:
and that, until this RICH, OF Mexico shall lie for
-. III -. 81 L Ii
lapse o. time, shall be impliedly relinquished,
Texas remains, and must remain, in The view Of
pubic and national law. a constituent par, OF the
Mexican territory. I hey consequently insist,
that, in this posture Of affairs, the United States
have no right and cannot, without 4 manifest
violation OF The prior and uDquesioned night oil
Mexico, form a union with Texas, and, even
with her free and full consent receive her INTO
our Union as IN integral part OF our Republic
Il. the views thus exhibited, lies, az is appre-
hcnceG, double error-ihe one in the facts ASST
med as the foundation upon which the opinion
rests the other admitting the truth OF those facts,
in the legal consequences resulting from them
The fact is denied and history sustains this de-
Lial. that Texas at any time, 20 any extent or for
any purpose, constituted part Of Mexico, OF was
either rahtully or Otherwise subject 10 her sove-
reign authority.
In making this broad assertion, We must oil
course De understood as distinguishing between
Mexico as one separate and Independent sove.
reigniv, and the united States OF Mexico, or the
united Mexican Staies--rames given 10 confe-
dera;ion and Union Of several districts and sove-
reign State, of which Mexico was one and tie mos1
prominent These united States were frequently
and famiiarly called Mexico, precisely IN inc
same manner and By the same iisnrc OF siee'"
thai these United States are styled America
This distinction, 50 important to correc! under
Standing of the subject. and which has been Who'll
* overlooked in he objection We are considering,
has teen for two centuries familiar 10 European
history. The United Provinces were seven in
numter of which Holland being the principal
and more powerful, gave her name in the same
way 10 the whole Republic Austria. simply a
distinct principaii,y, was name iamiiially used