Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-04-04
TEXAS QUESTION.

tice they are generally opposed to any pre-
sent action by the Government, OH the sub
ject. The Northern presses, for the most
part, are opposed to annexation IN toto, and
under any circumstances, as Unauthorized by
the Constitution, and impol,ic and injurious,
II not destructive Of the Federal Union And
the Southern presses, while many of them re-
gard the acquisition of Texas as very desir-
able, are by no means willing to sanction the
effort 10 obtain it at the expense of National
faith aud National honor. Mexico has no,
yet recognized the independence of Texas
on the contrary, she sill. holds her as a revol J..
ted province. Our treaty s,ipula,ions, there
fore, with that power, forbid our Interference
in the manner proposed; and we cannot enter
tain the question but in contempt of our
plightcd faith. 1t is not, then, question of ne
goiiation, but of war; and the acquisition, if
obtained, must be virtually one of conquest.
Mexico could not be expected to brook so
great an outrage on her rights and in such
conflict the sympathy, if not the active CO.
operation, of The civilized world, would be
enlisted against us. But, apart from the Ma
iional disgrace which would attach to such a
war, it can never be the interest of our Gov
eminent to seek TO enlarge its limits by the
sword; and the commencement of such a ca
reer will be the signal for the downfall OF the
Republic.
There are presses and Individuals i'm the
South, however, we are sorry to say, who are
prepared to go for annexation at all hazards.
The Richmond Enquirer is one of those
presses; and its influence will no doubt be
lelt on the question. The captivating thought
that 1t will strengthen the Southern States. with
them over-rides every other consideration !
but VIII 1t have that effect In our opinion this
is rather deba,eable question. 1t is true. il
Will open field for the peculiar labor of the
South, nearly, if not quite equal to the whole
area OF the Southern Atlantic States, and draw
OH from them, by its tempting fertility and
salubri,y, thousands and tens of thousands Of
'her already too sparce population.-But how
is that to strengthen them? We should think
they have had quite enough of this depicting
process, IN the drains made upon them by the
West and Southwest, to know it is not very
Strengthening! We must confess that the frs,
impulses of our patriotism prompt us to 90
Tor the South as it is, and our Country as it
Is and our sympathies revolt at the idea of
depopulating The old Southern Atlantic States
in order to build up, for some underlined gem
eral object, great power in what is now to
us an alien land.
The following strong views agains: the inn
mediate and preciplate annexation of Texas,
are urged by the Richmond Wing
l. Texas has on hand war with ner late
superior Mexico, who has not vet acknowl-
edged her independence or made peace with
her. II we unite with Texas, of course we
take this war off her hands.
z Texas has large though unknown Ma
tlonal Debt; 10 millions certain, and ndefi
mite millions unascertained If she is now
annexed, we must, also, shoulder her debt.
3. All the fine lands of Texas have been
already granted and partitioned out, either by
the old Spanish Government, by that of Mex
ico, or by the new Republic. The face of
the country is not only covered, but shinoled
American People, who expect TO find there
an inexhans:ible body Of fertile and unappro-
prlated lands, will find themselves mistaken.
They will come in only for the leayings and
refuse.
d. South Carolina. Georgia, and the whole
cotton region of the United States, NAV be
desolated by the annexation of a cotton
country superior TO those States, while the
present occupants and owners of Texas lands
will be made Princes at their expense
D. We have treaty Of commerce, ami,v
and friendship, with the Republic of Mexico.
who has manifested the best good faith i'm its
execution, and the greatest anxiety to preserve
friendly relations with us. To unite Texas
to MS before she has acknowledged the indie
2enoence OF Texas, is tantamount To a de-
claratlon of war against Mexico, without cause
or provocation.
3. The world will think and say that we
are induced by spirit Of graspng cupidty (
and consciousness of superior strength, a J
bullv's reasoning, TO offer an insult to Mexico.
which II England were in the circumstances
OF Mexico, we would not presume to offer to
England. We would not have the national |
character exposed to so bitter a launt, and |
which however false, we should be unable TO |
dlsProve. As one citizen, we had rather in
suit England who Is able TO cope with us.
than Mexico who is not, while we trust we
shall insult no ration, bu; continue to live i'm !
with all.
z. This is movement, in the first place, of
land job6crS in Texas, with Senator Walker
at their head, class for whom the people |
nave no sympathy or affection, and for whose |
personal advantage the legislation of this |
country should not be directed, national good
faith violated, and war incurred II must be