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

Justice disposition to detract from our preten-
sions in this respect, WILL in the nature ofthings be
always prevalent elsewhere; and has, at this very
moment and from special causes, assumed, in some
quarters, the most rabd character Should not
every one, then, who sincerely loves his country;
who venerates its tme-honored and glorious nsti-
| tutions-who dwels with pride and delight on as
sociations connected with our rise, progress, and
present condtion-on the steady step with which
we have advanced to our present eminence, In des-
pite of the hostility, and in contempt OF the bitter
revilings of the enemies Of freedom in all parts OF
the globe,-consider, and that deeply, whether we
would not, by the immediate annexation OF Texas,
place weapon in the hands ofthose who now
look upon us and our institutions with dlstrustiul
and envious eyes, that would do us more real, last
ing injury as nation, than the acquisition of such
territory, valuable as il undoubtedly is could pos
sibly repair? 1t is said, and truly said, that this
war between Texas and Mexico has already been
of too long duration. We are and must continue
to be more or less annoyed by its prosecution, and
have undoubtedly as has been remarked, an inter-
est in seeing it terminated But can we appeal to
any principle in the law of nations, 10 which we
practise scrupulous adherence, that would, un-
der present circumstances, justify us in interfering
for its suppression in manner that would unavoid-
ably make us party to its further prosecution!-
Can this position be made sufficiently clear to JUS
tify us in committing the peace and honor OF the
country TO its support
Inregard to the performance by us of that duty,
so difficult for any government to perform-the OBJ
servance Of an honest neutrality between nations at
wlr-we can now look through our whole career,
since our first admission into the family Of nations,
not only without blush, but with feelings of hon.
est pride and satisfaction. The way was opened
by President Washington himself, under circum-
stances ofthe most difficult character, and at no
less hazard than that of exposing ourselves to
plausible, yet unjust, mputatons of intidelity to
treaty stipulations, The path he trod with such
unfaltering steps, and which led to such beneficial
results, has hitherto been pursued with unvaryIng
fidelity by every one ofhis successors of whom it
becomes me to speak.
flour sympathies could induce departure from
policy which has so much in its commencement
to consecrate it, and such advantages to recommend
its continuance, they would doubtless, draw us to
the side of Texas. That the happiness of her peo-
pie would be promoted by the maintenance other
independence, I have no doubt. Few, if any, ef-
forts for the extension of the blessings of free gov
ernment in any part of the world have been made
since the establishment of our own independence,
that have failed to excite earnest and sincere
wishes for their success. But they have never
been permitted to withdraw us from the faithful
performance of our duty as neutral nation They
were excited, and deeply, too, at the commence
ment Of the French revolution; they were revived
in the struggle of the South American states for the
establishment of their independence they have
been put to their severest trial in this very contest
between Texas and Mexico Yet, IN that whole
period of time, amidst the convulsions of empires,
and the lawessness OF power by which many of its
possessors have been distinguished, it has been
cardinal point in the administration fthe affairs of
this republic to adhere with the srictest fidelity to
the rule which was laid down by Washington, en-
forced by Jefferson, and respected, with undated
sincerity, by their successors.
There is another circumstance which is well cal
culaed TO mislead us upon this subject. Many, if
not most of the persons to be affected by the deci
sion of this question, were once citizens of the
United States, and have still their relatives and
friends amongst Ls. am not unaware of the haz-
ard to which expose my standing with the latter,
in speaking thus unreservedly upon point so well
calculated to excite deep feelings. This sperhaps
more particularly applicable othat portion of my
fellow-citzens of whom it was aptly and appropri-
ately said by one oftheir own number, that "they
are the children of the sun, and partake ofits
warmth Yet, whether we stand or fall in the
estimation our countrymen, it is always true wis
dom, as well as true morality to hold fast to the
truth. tits, moreover, consolation to know, that
if to nourish enthusiasm is one OF the effects of
genial climate, it at the same time seldom fails to
give birth to chivarous spirit, which will not per-
nit itself to be outdone in the extent or sincerity of
IFS sacrifices at the shrine of patriotism To pre-
serve our national escutcheon untarnished, has,
if reliance can be placed upon our pub
lie archives, been object of unceasing solicitude
with southern statesmen.
Nothngi is either more true or more extensively
known, than that Texas was wrestej from Mexico,
and her independence established through the in
Of citizens of the United States
Equally true is it that this done not only against
the wishes, buin direct contravention of the best
efforts government to prevent our citizens from
engaging in the enterprise. Efforts have, never
theless, not been wanting on the part of those who
are not over-anxious for the credit of republican
governments, to misrepresent the views of ours in
this respect-to cause it to be believed that our ef-
forts to prevent unlawful participation by our citi
zens in that struggle were insncere; that we covet
ed this portion of the territory Of Mexico and hav
ing failed to obtain by fair purchase, or by nego
tiaton we saw in this movement preliminary step,
which would, in the end, be equally subservient o
our views upon Texas No one can have had bet