The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-08-23
BY THOMAS ]. MORGAN.

Texas since the memorable 2lst of April, 1896
Yet Mexico still threatens the subjugation Of that
republic, and although hei menaces are no more
to be needed than the idle wind, they have never
theless the inevitable tendency of retarding her
onward march to greatness. In the present state
of uncertainty, property will not command one
fourth its value capitalists unwilling 10 make
investments in a country whose independence is
not acknowledged by the parent government; and
heads of families, desirous of removing ththe, are
deferred by the reflection that possibly their help
less offspring may become victims of the worse
than savage barbarity of the treacherous Mexican
Their fears and apprehensions all iIlusory but
they exist and existing, obstruct the general pros
perty no less than if founded in reality. Col.
Benton justly Observes that ''N othing is dsas-
rous to Texas as the kind Of war which has
prevailed for some years. 1t destroys her resour-
ces-repulses emgration--sinks the value of pro-
perty at home and rates her credit abroad at five
cents and ten cents on the dollar. This is what
depresses and exhausts her. A fight is nothing.
An invasion would be her triumph and her glory" "
Had she consulted her own pecuniary interests
| ihSiCiy, iSAdo HOuIu nav Z obuoiit """NN "''H
Great Britain rather than annexation to the United
States. No one conversant with the subject can
doubt the truth OF this proposition. But the land
of the single has shown that whilst she values
riches, she prizes repubcansm still more highly.
She has proven that her attachment to our Union
outweghs all other consideratons-and if, at some
future period her soil shall be made the lodgment
for British soldery destined to again scatter fire
and wave the sword upon our western frontier,
or to once more march to the magnificent city Of
the southwest and there with the countersgn of
.'beauty and boofy," crimson the Mississippi with
the blood of our people--the citizens of Texas
can wei, exclaim, " Our hands are clear Of M''
SHALL WE REJECT THE OFFER OF
TEXAS.
How strange the necessity Of propoundng such
an inquiry We have offered Mexico millions for
Texas, and our propositions have been rejected.
Texas is now an independent nation, and volunta-
ry tenders to the Union her territory as gift, and
vet wonderful to relate, persons are to be found
who are unwilling to receive it.
The principal arguments urged against the an
nexaton of Texas, shall te briefly examined--the
chief of which is, with us in the North,
SLAVERY, AND THE POWER OF THE
SOUTH.
The institution of slavery was bequeathed to us
by Great Britain. The Unsuitable avarice which
ever distinguished that government, dragged from
their Afric homes the forefathers of the present
negro race in the United States. 1t was a mon
strous sin, the commission of which, and countless
mriads of others, that bloodstaned land will one
day expiate in bitterness of woe.
But slavery is in our land, and the only question
now is, will the annexation of Texas increase the
number of negroes held in bondage?
Suppose, for example, there are now three mill |
lions of slaves in the United States and Texas
Will the union of these two countries increase
that number? If so, pray how: If ten thousand
blacks be taken from Virginia to Texas, the number
in Virginia would of course be decreased to that
amount. There would be mere change of loca-
ton And should there be greater demand for
slave labor in Texas than in the northern slave
States, the prices would be corespondngly higher;
and very soon would Delaware, Maryland, Vir-
gnia and Kentucky, be drained of the entire negro
population, and become free States, at the same
time, adding to the slave territory in the south
SLAVE TERRITORY WILL BE DECREAS-
ED-THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE
WILL BE EFFECTUALLY CHECKED
THE CONDITION OF THE BLACKS
WILL BE MELIORATED, AND SLAVE
RY ITSELF PROBABLY GRADUALLY
ABOLISHED BY THE ANNEXATION
on TEvAc To TILE ITNInN
The constitution of Texas recognizes the exist
ence of slavery throughout her entire territory,
and, if she remains independent nation, slavery
will continue to be protected by law over the
whole republic. But should Texas be annexed
to the United States, at least one half of her soil
will become Immediately free. Senator BentOn's
bill for the annexation of Texas provides for the
division of that country into four States, two of
which shall remain forever free; and Henry Clay
says Gas will presently fully appear,) that the
annexation of Texas will add three free States and
only two slave States to cur confederacy. Here, |
then, at the very Threshold annexation will banish
slavery from an extent of territory equal to one |
hundred and fifty thousand square miles.
When Texas was a colony of Mexico, slaves,
in small numbers, were not unfrequently carried
thither, either directly from Africa, or from the
West India Islands--no war vessel being properly
stationed to prevent it. Upon shaking of the
Mexican yoke, the Texian government adopted
stringent measures for the suppressing of this
traffic, and brig, which once sailed under the
banner of the African negro steaer, was soon
converted into man-of-war. But although the
law makers OF the young republic have adopted
every precauton to strangle the monster, il is fear
ed that her deficiency in naval power renders
Texas unable to efficiently defend her numerous |