Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-10-29
AgOLITlONIsTs AND CLAY!

We have received a panphle; copy of a letter
addressed "a he Lijcf'g i'Gltg IN Ott0,' Ozark
the superScrimion,) lrom Columbus, Ohio De-
lober IL, (mark the date. just after the cccl!on,)
from the pen OF j. Sullivan, who avows him
self decided Aboi;oni>t. the friend ard kin>-
man Of Mr. Birncy-yet writes this letter 10 per
sllade The Aboliiionist> 10 drop him and vote Tor
Mr. CLAW What Is his ground ! Mark il, irieIds
Of Texas and friends OF the South
NO one supposes that there j. even The re-
motcSt probability OF Mr.. Birney's election; tho.c
who vote for him. will do 50 because they believe
they will thus show forth their allegiance 10 great
PRINCIPLES Have Won not alcady done this by
>uppolin. your own nominee for Governor =
But an issue has hcen made in the approaching
contest for the Pre>Gcncv-an issue Involving, as
| sincerely believe the integrity and pcrmancncy
of this Union-an issue, before which, Ill others
shrink into insieniicancc. mean tie anncxa-
ton al Texas 10 this Government. We viii say
nothing of broken faith, and disregard oi existing
treaties with Mcxico-uo;hiug Ci tie disloror--
of The strong depressing the wcak-aotang oil
her unknown dcbt-nolin9 about the consttu-
tionality OF the mcasure--bu will confnc our
selves 10 one aspect Of this question We will
look at il only as il regards the extension and per-
peluation of the slave power. lou ali well know
what concessions. (tor The sake OF peace and
harmony the people of the free States made 10
this ever walchiu, graspin@, and insaliasc power,
AT the adoption OF The Federal Constitution. You
know what advantage The South obtained i'll iX-
Ing the basis of rcpre>entllion-tha they obtain
cd The sanction of the Constitution Of The country
10 their right OF property in man AT lhi. day,
large representation in Congress is based on tins,
the worst kind ola property qualification
Liberty men, are YOU in favor Of anncNing
foreign territory whose soil is polluted by slavery,
where it is recognized and protected by law a
country claiming territory out OF which can be
formed seven States as large as The State oil
Ohio1 Do any doub that these will he Slare
States! WHY the whole soil Of Texas is owned
By shareholders, they hold ii in grants OF millions
OF acres, and the best and most valuable lands
are now in their possession, ard titled by the IN
reouited toll OF The slave. The Presidential
Chair will undoubtedly. be filled either by Mr.
Polk or Mr.. Clay Mir Polk is pledged. without
regard of consequences, wi!houllhc common con-
sent of the people of the Union, 10 immediate an
nexation."
''On The other hand, Mr.. Clay says, in his Ra-
leigh letter, dated April 18th, 1911: i do not
think that Texas ought 10 be received into the
Union, as an integral part Of it, in decided oppo-
sion 10 the wishes OF a considerable and respect
able portion of the Coniederacy.' And in his
letter, dated Ashland eth of July, 1914, he says:
in the mean time, too, 4 powerful opposition had
arisen in the United States against The annexation
OF Texas to them. Several States had declared,
through their Legislatures, against H. and others,
if moi whole sections of The Union. were believed
10 he adverse 10 il. This was the opposition To
the measure TO which, in my Raleigh letter al
luded. when spoke OF 4 considerable and res
pcctable portion Of the Confederacy' | did moi
refer 10 persons, but 10 States sections. Under
such circumstances, could mol but regard The an
nexation of Texas, III this time rs compromit-
ting the honor oi my country, involving il in
war in which the sympathies Of all ChTistendom
would be against us, and cndangering the intcg-
rty of the Union | thought then, and still be-
lieve that national dishonor foreign war, and
distraction and division al home, were too great
sacrifices To make for the acquisition OF Texas.
Have YOU forgotten that the Legislatures Of the
Wing States of Ohio Massachusetts, and Yer
mont. have passed resolutions protesting against
the annexation of Texas. and are not other large
sections of The country opposed 10 It I! Has not
Mr. Clay declared tha, he regards this oppositionl
Will not this opposition continue during all tu-
ture time :? viii il not rather increase than d.
minishl Does i, moi operate as an cifectual bar
To annexation! How then can Texas be annexed
during his administration"
But if all this is not sufficient 10 define Mr.
Claws position on this subject, and in order 10
make ii as clear as the MONDAY sun, read the FOL-
lowing extract from his letter 10 Gales and Sea
ton, dated September %, 1874 in which he rele
rates his individual views on this subject:
al wish now distinctly 10 say, that there is not
feeling sentiment, or an opinion expressed in
nv Raleigh letter. 10 which do not adhere
AM DECIDEDLY OPPOSED TO THE M
MEDIATE ANNEXATION OF TEXAS
TO THE UNITED STATES think il
would be dishonorabIe, might involve them 10
war, would be dangerous 10 The integrity and har-
mony Of the Union and, if all these objections
were removed could not be effected. according 10