The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-08-30
BY THOMAS J. MORGAN.
TCOncluded.1

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THE LATE TREATY, AND THE FIERY
ZEALOTS FOR AND AGAINST ANNEX
ALTON.
If the late treaty Of President Tyler merits
applause most richly is he entitled 10 all the praise
if, on the contrary, it deserves censure, he too
should bear the odInm. 1t was measure of his
own-he assumes all the responsibility, and asks
no one to share with him the consequences. Ne i
ther of the two great parties is identified with this
treaty-nether of them was consulted in relation
to it, and neither of them has a right to claim
merit from the act; nor would it be just to saddle
either of them with any of its consequences
Many wings and democrats, in favor of annexation
felt constrained to oppose the treaty, although its
defeat might possibly have thrown Texas into the
embrace of Great Britain-for example, Thomas
II. Benton, democratic Senator from Missouri, and
William C. Rives, whig Senator from Virginia.
The stipulatons themselves and all the diplomatic
correspondence relating thereto are the property
of Mr.. Tyler, and he is by no means inclined tc
disown them or to eyade any responsibility that
may result therefrom.
Reckless bigots are to be found on both sides Of
this question. In some parts of New England
resolutions have been passed declaring that the
annexation of Texas would be regarded as disso-
| luton of the Union-and on the other hand, in
Sou tn Carolina, meeting resolved that if Texas
was not annexed disunion was the consequence.
Thank God, our Union contains but few such
citizens The great mass of those in favor Of
annexation, and opposed to it, prize the Union
above every other consideration, and are prepared
to shed their blood in its defense. The motto
should be. sour Union first and ai,cays," and
such is the sentiment of every true patriot
But neither the friends nor the enemies of annex.
alton are to be held responsible for the reasonable
language of their fanatcal adherents.
shall now proceed to glance at some OF the
arguments in favor of annexation.
TEXAS IS NECESSARY TO THE SAFETY
OF THE UNION.
The division line between Texas and the United
States is about fifteen hundred miles in extent, and
a part of this distance there is mere artificial oil
geographic boundary. An army could more read
lily pass over from Texas into the United States
than cross the Delaware at Philadelphia, or the
Ohio at Pittsburgh. This frontier is too extended
to enable our government to erect sufficient fort
ficatons TO insure its safety; and if already con
sructed we must double the size of cur standing
army before they can be placed in condition fol
defence. Twenty millions of dollars would no
accomplish the object But this hazard on the
one hand, and expense on the other, would all bt
avoided by establishing our boundary where il
would be- protected by the hand of nature. Agar
Red river is the common boundary between the
United States and Texas for about one thousand
miles. This noble stream empties into the Mssis
sipp few miles below Natchez, and somewhat
less than three hundred above New Orleans
Vessels under the Texian flag have an equal righ
to descend Red river and proceed to New Orleans
with those under American coors, and in this
manner, before the country was aware of it, or had
time to prepare for defense, twenty thousand
British troops might land in the great emporium
of the south west.
But upon this feature of the subject, Andrew
Jackson has spoken, and it becomes Others less
informed, to be silent. The old patriot, who long
since retired from the turmoil of active life and
has for years devoted himself to occupations suited
to preparation for eternity, has been impeled by
the great magnitude of the subject to emerge from
his retiracy and once more address the language o
admonition to his countrymen If any man j.
acquainted with the necessities and situation Of our
southwestern frontier, that man is the Hero oil
New Orleans, who guarded and preserved it when
no other could. Listen, then, with respect and
reverence to the veterans warning voice
ANDREW JACKSON SAYS OUR UNION
is NOT SAFE WITHOUT TEXAS.
In his letter of February IL, ls43, after dwelling
upon the disastrous policy Of transferring Texas
to Spain, by the treaty of 1919, the General pro
ceeds to say:
"But Iforbear to dwell upon the history Of thi;
part of the question. 1t is past, and cannot now
! be undone. We can now only look to it as one o
annexation, if Texas presents it to US; and il she