Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-09-10
From tae ". Y. Morning Ncps.

Of the awkward man, who after letting fall
his hat, catches his sword between his leg
as he sioops to pick it up, and so fairly
floors himself, hat, sword, and all together.
With curious in(elIcity,' Mr.. Clay
his now succeeded in making himself al
object of equal unpopularity with all sec
lions of opinion on the Texas question
What n pity it is that the newspapers will
lake the impairment liberty Of publishing
in the South what was meant only for the
North, and then By way Of doubling, ia
stead of ncutralizing, the mischief, pro-
claiming from southern housetops what was
intended for s0aoroce whispering in Clay
| Club rooms at the South. There is some
consolation when Paul is paid with what
Peter loses-but when Peter is first robbed
and Paul then plundered, the case is hard
indeed. Such, alas, is now Mr.. Clay's po-
siion on this unlucky Texas matter.
In recent conversation between Elk
Governor Seward, Of this Stale, and some
Wing friends who demonstrated with him
ag 'inst harpng on the single string OF
! Texas and Slavery, the former silenced
them by replying, THAT TIM ABOLITION
/
STATE.
Mr.. Clay has now lost this chance, after
he had already sustained all the injury
which his opposisiton to Texas was to cost
him elsewhere. His coming in now, at
this late day, with this shutting, siding
movement in the direction of Texas, upon
which he had so faily turned his back so
short time before, will forfeit TO him every
abolition vote, add contempt TO the detesta-
ton with. which the democracy regard his
principles and measures, and go far to dis
gust no inconsiderable number Of his own
Wing friends.
What has become Of all his opposition to
the extension of our already overgrown-
sparsely settled-and imperrectly arranged
territory ? What Of the three sister re-
pubIics--of tho Canadas-the United Sta
tes-and Texas--which he saw in such
LeautIul prophetic vision of The future, at
the time Of writing his Raleigh letter! He
now writes TO his friends in Alabama in
the following terms We publish only the
substantive part Of the letter: the part pre-
ceding consists Of a vindlcaton OF himself
from the charge Of Inconsistency for hav-
ing sought for the annexationof Texas
while Secretary Of State 10 Mr. Adams.
1t could then have been done, he says,
without war or national dishonor, and the
assent of Spain would have been sought by
prudent and concliatory steps if she had
interposed any objections. :. How totally
different" he then proceeds, ''are all the
circumstances under which, with Mr..
Adams authority, | authorized the over
ture 10 Mexico, from those which attended
the recent treaty of Mr.. Tyler -
s. So far from Mexico being silent, she
repeatedly and solemnIy declared that she
would consider annexation as war with her
Texas was no longer an uninhabited coun-
try. 1t had been wrested from the domin-
ion Of Mexico by citizens many of whom
went armed from the United States. The
war between Mexico and Texas had not
been terminated by any Treaty of peace
Mr. Tyler not only did not consult Mexico,
but he announced that her assent 10 the
annexation was altogether unnecessary
And he proceeded 10 conclude a treaty,
embracing large extent of Territory and
numerous population, not comprehended
L
10 Spain in 1919.
In the mean time, too, powerful op-
position had arisen in the United States
agains: the annexation OF Texas to them.
Several States had declared, through their
Legislatures, against it, and others, if not
whole sections of the Union, we're be-
l'eysd to be adverse 10 it. This was the
opposition to the measure, to which, in my
Raleigh letter, alluded, when spoke of
considerable and respectable portion of
the Contedcracy, | did not refer TO per-
sons but 20 States or sections.
Under such circumstances | could not
but regard the Annexation Of Texas, at
this time. as compromising the honor of
my country, involving it in war, in which
the sympathies of all Christendom would
be against US, and endangering the integrity
of the Union. | thought then, and still
believe, that National dishonor, foreign
war, and distinction and division at home
where too great sacrifices to make for the
acquisition Of Texas.
But gentleman, you ere DESTROYS Of
knowing by what policy | would be guided
IN the event of elec ton as Chief Magistrate
OF the United States, in reference 10 the
question Of the annexation Of Texas do
not think it right TO aenounce in advance
what viii be the course OF Il future Admin
istration in respect 10 a question with for
e gn power. have, however, no hesita-
ton in saying that, far from having any
personal objection 10 the annexation of
Texas, should be glad TO see it-withont
diShonor, without war, with the common
consent Of the Union. and upon just and
! fair terms.
g do not think ,hat the subject Of slav-
cry ought TO affect the question, one way
or the olhar. Whether Texas be indepsn-
dent, or incorporated in the United States,
do not believe it viii prolong or shorten
the duration Of that ins tuition. Ii is des-
tined 10 become extinct. at some distant
day, in my opinion, by the operation of the
inevitable laws of population. 1t would be
unwlse 10 refuse permanent acquisition.
which will exist us long as the globe re-
mains, on account of a temporary institu-
I ton.
. In the contingency of my election, to
which You have adyerted, if the affair of
acquiring Texas should become subject
OF consideration, should be governed BY