Arkansas intelligencer., 1844-09-14
RE.ANNEXATH Of Texas, ii

)r. The question of the ann,the opinion OF all
of our opinion, and we bells is precisely parallel
Isl. who are divested of prson of W. Florida to the
the to the question of -eclared by Mr.. Madison in
- Orleans territor,ation and act was supported by
ion 1910. whose eloquent and talented members of
our one of the,at day in speech which was regard
the conereof "the best specimens of close investi
ed land severe unadorned arguhsent, that could
-, .und in the annals of any parliamentary body"
v ~ The following is an extract Of the speech:
"He justified Mr.. Madison by other considera-
tions. Even supposing that to he true, which he
had proved Notwithstanding the claim of the
opposition, that the title of West Florida had ne.
yer passed out of the hands of Spain. he Contend
ed, that, under circumstances which existed,
the United States Government had still a
right 10 take possession of it. The reason was
obvious. Whether Spain did or did not retain the
legal title to the territory, one point was suff-
cienty clear. she had not the power to make the
inhabitants submit to her authority. She was at
that time, pressed on all sides by a powerful enc
my, whom it required her concentrated energies to
Withstand. She could no quell the distrac-
lions and the anarchy that prevailed throughout
portion of West Florida, than she could rule the
whirlwind. If Britain. or some other nation dis
posed to iniure us, should take advantage of these
circumstances, and obtain foothod upon our
Southern frontier, she would have the power to
annoy us in the exercise Of our rights, and endan-
ger the very existence Of our Union. The COM
merce of the whole extent of country, that is
drained by the Mississippi and its trlbuta res-an
extent comprising three fourths of the whole ter
rtory Of the United States-would be at the enc
my's mercy. The possession of West FIorida-
that part of it especially between the Mississippi
and the Perdido-he showed to be Indispensable
! n he of II
the lever by which nearly the whole continent of
North America nigh: be shaken. Thus situated,
he exclaimed, that, upon the eternal principle
lof self -preservation-a princi pie that knows no
limitation to time or place-we had right to ex-
tend our laws over the disputed terrilory.'
1t was maintained by the opposition then, as it
is now, that England might feel herself obliged
to take part against us. To that argument, he
replied in the following manly and patriotic Ian.
guage:
"ls the time never TO arrive, when we may
manage our own affurs without the fear Of in
sulting his Branc ma jesty? Is the rod Of Brit
ish power 10 be forever suspended over heads?
Does Congress put on an embargo to shelter
rightful commerce against the piratical depreda-
tIOns committed upon ii on the ocean! We are inn
meCiatey warned Of the Indignation of often led
England. Is law of non-intercourse proposed?
! The whole navy of the naughty mistress of she
seas is made 10 thunder in our cars Does the
ipresldenl refuse TO cont nue correspondence
with minister, who violates the decorum belong
ling TO his plomatic character, by giving and de-
iLiberately repeating an ati'ront to the whole ma
ton! We are instantly menaced with the chas
nj scment which English pride will not fail 10 in
ifiict. Whether we assert our rights by sea, or
attempt their mantenanceb by whithersoever
1--WE turn ourselves, this phantom necessarily pur-
sues US. Already has it had too much influence
,on the councils of the nation"
u Readers, who was this eloquent, talented, man.
,Iy patriotic, and indignant Senator tha, dscours.
:ed thus HENRY CLAY. Who was it that
commended that the Government Of the United
States had ri ght to take possession of West
+ flor'da, whether Spain did did not retain a
legal title to the territory''? HENRY CLAY.
whole extent of country that is drained by the
Mississippi and its tributares-an extent compris.
ing three fourlhs of the whole territory. of The
United States, would be at the mercy of an enc.
.ny, in possession of West Florida, land therefore
ct was sufficient reason why our government
Ihould take possession of it HENRY CLAY.
: Who was it that defed condemned and scoffed
vt British power! HENRY CLAY. Who was
that proes ted against the American Govern
ment bowing to tho rod of British power ~
HENRY CLAY.
Who is 1t no'c that is apposed to the annexation
h Texas. under similar circumstances to those.
which existed when West Florida was annexed q
HENRY CLAY. Who is it now that is opposed to
'annexalion,' when the whole commerce of the Mis-
sIss'ppl valley is placed in the same situation in
which it was before West Florida was annexed
HENRY CLAY. Who is it tina, is opposed TO the
annexation of Texas, lest it might incur war with
England the great British power? HENRY
CLAY. Who is it now that bows to the rod of
British power? HENRY CLAY.
Ihs is the honest, consistent HENRY CLAY
who lsnow held up to the admiring Coons as the
embodiment of whiggery and their candidate for
, President
liz lhe saNe parsonage, who. too young to aspire
se the PRESIDENCY, and was no, seeking Votes in
d, MI v in favor of annexation of Wes,
b. Floas, and was opposed to re.char,eriur the
Is, Un''e'S!a'es Ak. Presto relo, he is now Cam.
We a'uo'e ~, P'esS,, wherefore, he is opposed to
w ar States Bank by these bai,. ' ho o' limited "a