The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-05-10

dear sir is the true and uhdisSused character oil the
remedy for these evils, which would be applied by
the "immediate annexation of Texas to the United
States!" Is it more or less than saying to Mexico,
We feel ourselves aggrieved by the continuance Of
this wsr between you and Texas; we have an in
terest in seeing it terminated; we will accomplish
that object by taking the disputed territory to our
selves; we will make Texas a part OF the United
States, so that those plans ofreconquest, which we
know you are maturing, to be successful, must be
made so against the power that we can bring into
the contest; if the war to be continued as we un-
derstand to be your design, the United States are
henceforth to be regarded as one OF the beliger-
ents!
We shall act under the eye of an intelligent, OBJ
serving world; and the affair cannot be made to wear
different aspect from what it deserves, If even we
had the disposition (Which we have noD to throw
over it disguses of any kind. We should consider
whether there is any way in which the peace of this
country can be preserved, should an immediate an
nexation take place, save one--and that Is, accor-
ding to present appearances, the improbable event
that Mexico will be deferred from the farther pros
ecution OF the war by the apprehension our pow
er. How does that matter stand? She has caused
us to be informed both at Mexico and here, in
manner the most formal aad solemn, that she will
feel herself constrained, by every consideration that
can influence the conduct of nation, regard the
fact Of annexation as act of war the part the
United States, and that she will, Notwithstanding,
prosecute her attempts to regain Texas, regardless
of consequences Exceptions are, however, taken
by the President and think very !stly taken, to
the manner in which this determination has been
announced The Mexican government should GER
tainly have applied in becoming spirit to ours for
explanations of its intention Ifit found this gov
ernment under the impression that Mexico, al
though it might not be willing to acknowledge its
independence, had abandoned all serious hope of
reconquerng Texas, Mexico should have assured
us of our error, and demonstrated against any action
on our part based on that erroneous assumption, de-
clared firmly hit pleased, but in that courteous and
respectful manner which is alone suited to the in.
tercourse between nations who profess to be friends
its determination to oppose u.s. Instead OF taking
a course, the propriefy of which was so obvious,
she first assumes, upon grounds which were nei-
tltI proper sdIc iOT " upOu liidt liiio
government had designs upon Texas; then dehoun-
ces the annexation as great national crime, and
forthwith proclaims instant war the penalty Of
our persisting in such an attempt; and all this in Ian
guage bearing certainly, (although subsequently
disavowed,) every appearance of menace
But this is besetting and very ancient foible of
the mother country, as well as of her defendants,
in their diplomatic intercourse. Every one con-
versant with the subject of Spanish relations knows
that, at least from the time of Don Louis d'Onis
to the present day, this government has been fire.
quently-not to say continually jected TO this
species of diplomatic dogmatism. Partly in con-
sequence ofthe genius of their language; partly
from theirreculiar temperament; much from habit,
but more from radical defect of judgment, they
continue the use oflanguage in their state papers,
which better tempered if not wiser diplomatists
have almost every where laid aside as worse than
useless But at no time has our government suffer-
ed its action upon great national questions tobe
influenced by such petulance. From the time of
the modest, yet firm Madison, to the late Mr.. Up
shur, (whose melancholy fate is so justly and gen.
orally lamented,) has every Secretary of State, act
ing under the direction Of the executive, deemed
it sufficient to place the government and minister
employing it in the wrong by showing its injustice
as well as its futility. We have then heretofore,
as hope we shall now, decided to act in the mat
ter under consideration in manner which was
deemed due to justice and to our own character,
without being in any degree influenced by such
unavailing menances. 1t is foreign to my habit,
and repugnant TO my feelings, to say any thing that
should offend the pride of any nation, ifthe decla-
rations of individuals could possibly have that ef-
fect being sincerely desrous that the United States
should cultivate friendly relations with all. But
with population not equal to half that of the Uni
ted States, and laboring under many and serious
disadvantages, from which we are comparatively
free, Mexico could not, with propriety, be offend
ed by the assumption that this government may act
as it would have done had no such menance been
made, without the slightest danger of being regard
ed by the rest of the world, as having been intimi
dated by threats of war from that republic. So at
least should act, if the direction of public affairs
were in my hands. The question then recurs, if, |
as sensible men, we cannot avoid the conclusion
that the immediate annexation of Texas would, in |
all human probability, draw afterit war with Mex
leo, can it be expedient to attempt l' Of the con-
sequences of such war, the character it might be
made to assume, the entanglements with other ma
tions which the position ofa begerent almost
unavoidaby draws after it, and the undoubetd in
juries which might be inflicted upon each, notwith
standing the great disparity of their respective for
ces, will not say word. God forbid that an
American citizen should ever count the cost of any
appeal to what is appropriately denominated the
last resort of nations whenever that resort becomes
necessary either for the safety or to vindcate the
honor ofhis country. There is, trust, not one
so base as not to regard himself, and all he has, to
be forever and at all times subject to such requisi-
ton. But would war with Mexico, brought on
under such circumstances, be contest of that char
acfar2 Could hopo IN otand uy ;,v,;f;oJ |