The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-07-31
MIR. CLAY'S ANNEXATION LET
TER e. ST CLAIR.

lex O. > al
One Of the most bare faced perversions
of truth made by st Clair In his lectures
in this region, i, an attempt TO make out
that there is as much danger of annexa-
lion from Clay as President as from
Polk, and asserting that about the whole
objection of Mr.. Clay to annexation
springs from The results incidental to the
connection of Texas with Mexico, the
danger of war, of debts &c. and opposi-
ton of public opinion Now this brazen
faced deceiyer knows well that Polk was
nominated by the power Of the slavehol-
ding influence of the South as an inme.
diate anneraiionist which he has openly
and a hundred times avowed in the most
emphatic and unqualified terms. While
Mr.. Clay in his letter upon this subject
has as openly and frankly expressed his
disapprobation of annexation, not only
in view Of the reasons assumed for him
by ST Clair, but for others so numerous
and momentous, that scarcely any conf
bination of circumstances could be con-
ceived. which in the estimation of Mr..
Clay would justify the base scheme of the
nullifers of the South, but in our esti>
nation the still baser schemes of the
leaders of Northsen thlId-partyism. mas
Sy of whom seem prepared TO pull
down the pillars of the Constitution, and
bury this great C~onfederacy under its
ruins:
Extract from Mr.. Clay's letter an annexation.
l have hitherto considered the question
upon the supposition that The annexation
is attempted with the without the assent
of Mexico. If she yields her consent,
that would materially affect the foreign
aspect of the question, if it did not re-
move all foreign difficulties. On the as
sumption of that assent, the question
would be confined to the domestic con
sidcrations which belong TO it, embracing
the terms and conditions upon which
annexation is proposed. | do not think
that Texas ought 10 be received into the
Union, as an integral part of it, in deci-
ded opposition 10 the wishes of a consid-
cradle and respectable portion of the
Conlederacy. think it far more wise
and important TO compose and harmonic
the present Confederady, as il now exists,
than 10 introduce n new clement of dis
cord and distraction into it. In my hum
bic opinion, ii should be the constant and
earnest endeavor Of an American STATES
man to eradicate prejudices, TO cultivate
and foster concord, and to produce gener-
al contentment among all parts of our
confederacy. And true wisdom, il seems
TO me, points to the duty of rendering
lis present members happy, prosperous.
and satisfied with each other. rather than
TO introduce alien members, against tho
common consent and with the certainty
Of deep dissatisfaction. MIR. Jefferson
expressed the opinion, and others believed
that il never was in the contemplation of
the trainers of the constitution to add for
eign territory to the Confederacy. out of
which new States were TO be formed.
The acquisitions of Louisiana and Flor
ida may be-defended upon the peculiar
ground Of the relation in which they
stood TO the States of the Union. After
they were admitted. we might as well
pause IA while, people our vast wastes.
develope our resources, prepare the means
of defending what we possess, and aug
ment our strength, power and greatness
If hereafter fuEher territory should be
wanted for an increased population, we
need entertain no a~pprehensions but that
it will be acquired by means, it is to be
hoped. fair, and honorable, and constitu.
tIonal.
1t is useless to disguise that there are
those who espouse and those who oppose
annexation of Texas upon the ground of
the influence which il would exert in the
balance of political power, bet ween two.
great sections of the Union. L~.eeHreiye
that no motive for the acuqisGA6 Of for
eign territory would be more Unfortunate
or pregnant with more fatal consequences
than that foF obtaining it for the purpose
Of Strengthening one part agoins, anothr
part of the cormon Confederacy.-Such