Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-09-13
MIR. CLAY ON ANNEXATION.


becomingness, in paper which does not pub
sh the brief letter on which it solici,s our
opinion, but quotes part of it, surrounding
it with such comments as make il mean lust
the opposite Of what the whole imports
Mr.. Clay had publicly and solemnly declared
himself opposed to the annexation of Texas
to tins country under present or any proba-
BILE circumstances whereupon some oentle-
men write him, requesting him to reconcile
this position with his former efforts to acquire
Texas while Secretary of State. Mr.. Clay
answers, showing that the circumstances are
entirely changed, and that he is perfectly
consistent IN favoring Annexation then. and
opposing II now. He is asked why he once
considered Texas an appanage of Louisiana
and wrongiully surrendered by the treaty of
1910, and now regards it as irrevocablv re-
linqulshcd, and not to be reclaimed. This
also he answers thoroughly. Blu, all this is
kept from the sight of the readers of the PIE
bcian, who are.nadc 10 believe that Mr. Clay
has written another letter to change his posi-
ton on the Texas question
Is this honest, OF even decent A candi-
nate for Presidents annoyed with all sorts of
questions about his opinions, views, feelings,
not only in existing circumstances but in ev-
cry imaginable contingency. If he answers
frankly, it is easy TO pick paragraph here
aud another there which will involve him in
seeming contradictions. But we defy any
man, by fair quotation on full comparison
of his whole letters. TO poipt ont anv ncon,
sistcncy in the positions Of Mr. Clay. In
, his Raleigh letter Of April 17th, Mr.. Clay
says
Mexico has not abandoned, but porseveres in, the
assertion Of her right by actual force of arms, which,
i suSdenued' are intended to be renewed. Under
states were to a rrc Texas. it Would aconire aiono
with all the nc mbrances which Texas is under
and ' ' o . OF SUSPENDED waf between
5 not be doubt. Anncxa,ron and war with Mexico
are ien,tnI; Now for one certainly am not vii
,bert Of orn Tcys = n oy' hey, war nr i2r b Inc
vho regard such war with indI;rcnce and as ri.
fling, affair, on account Of the weakness of Mexico
aho n.r Iao"'y TO miict serious injury upon this
rcrari all wars rs rrfat caamIes 70 he nynidsd #
possible and honora c peace the wisest and truest
P'"'y - '''S G"0U"y'.
81 have hitherto considered the 1nostion upon tho
snpr"suon that the annexation Is attempted withou,
yod n,, u' a. me NE, Y,5 msf consent maj
n question fit did not remove ali foreirn difTicnlries
On me as-,Inpton OF hat assent the question would
10 long to it, EN- racing the terms and conIirions upon
n which annexation is proposed | do not think that
d Texas ought 10 be received into the Union int.
gral part of 1t IN decided opposition the wishes of a
considerable and respectable portion of the consder-
n acy. thin. it far mo'e wise and important TO com
pose and harm1n2c the present conleleracv a il now
exists than 10 introduce ueY element of scord and
e distraction in,oiLn
t AGor s.,,i,o.. ,,I,. oh-,,,.. .. ,
ton. amoro the Deb, Of Texas. Mr.. CLAW
=, concludes.
r. "Icon.Iar the innox,,.,o or Tcvos =, this ,;r,e
n without the Mt Of Mexico as measure oomprom,
N i..n@ 'a% 412n chararter involving rs certainly in
Of anrs n , ,,, 'o,egn ; Awe,
III the present financial condition. of the country and not
J. c'o' TOT oy any Gtra. expression OF pn lie opnion.
" H. CLAY"
These are the fundamental positions Of
~ MIR. Clay. Has he since uttered one syIla-
bic adverse to or Inconsistent with Them ?