Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-06-15

greatest commercial nations in the world
Since the defeat and capture Of Santa Anna at
San Jacinto, in 1886, Texas has enjoyed her
independence without interruption. She has
had her own congress, her own executive Off
GERS, her own army and navy, been governed
by her own laws, and enjoyed her independence
as absolutely as the United States. Mexico
has obtained peace with her by soliciting an
armstce, without formally acknowledging her
independence, though, in that protracteJ ar.
mistice, she has virtually admitted it.; and SAD
ia Anna, the president of Mexico, had upon be
ing captured, solemnly acknowledged it.
Where, then, can be the objection to the Uni
ted States fulfilling the stipulations Of the trea
ty Of 1908, by receiving that territory as
part OF our own, and at a proper time, admit
ting il into the Union, upon footing with the
original states? | can see none. Mexico can
have nc. cause Of complaint, nor can any other
nation on earth.
Mexico has threatened the United States
with rupture if the measure shall prevail.
1t would be no just cause for rupture; and i,
is not congenial with the independent feelings
Of Americans 10 be deferred from their true
policy by the unrighteous menaces Of for
eign power, even when that power has strength
commensurate with our own. | would never
consent to act unjustly towards the weakest
nation on EARTH nor would | so far compro-
nit the honor Of my own country as to be in
liuenced by the threats Of the mghtiest nation
in existence. 1t is also stated that Great Bril-
tain will except the measure, and that the an
nexation will probably lead to a rupture with
that great power. | suppose none will pre-
tend that she would have any more right 10
interfere, than we have to interfere with her
East India possessions; and | should blush for
my country if could believe that Americans,
in any considerable number, existed, who
would hesitate 10 pursue the policy which the
interests Of our republic dictated lest it should
provoke the dispeasure Of any foreign nation.
! A wise man will neI er court adversely 10 avoid
the malevoIence Of jealous neighbor; nor
will brave nation fail to promote its own
prosperity, through fear that another nation
will be jealous Of its rising strength. The
fact is as clear as the meridian sunbeams, that
the United states, if they continue true to
themselves, are destined TO become the mghti-
est nation in the world. No foreign power can
prevent it. But to gain that point, they must
be as fearless as they are just. 1t is not i'm
probable that the destinles of Texas, if we
refuse her protfer, may one day be linked with
those Of Great Britain; and, in that event, the
avowa is made by some Of the most cnnspicu,
GUS of the opposers Of annexation, that they
would wage war with England to proven, it.
If such war should take place, would it not
be more consonant with both justice and safes
ty TO be united with Texas in defensive war
for the protection Of our own territory, than
to carry on an offensive war against both Tex
as and England for the conquest of a country
, which we shall have once refused to possess!
= Providence has now opened the way for the
l. annexation; and to refuse, or to postpone the
measure, would, in my opinion, be acting I'M
Justly both towards that country and our own
Objection has been made to the extension o
our territory. THIS would have weight if i
:. were 10 be but colony; but the annexation
will constitute it an integral part Of the nation
having the same interest in maintaining thu
integrity OF the union that the original state
q have. There can, therefore, be no danger ari
!, sing from that source. Would it not be hap
: pier for all Europe to be united in one grea
republic, having the same language, the samt
intelligence, the same Jurisprudence, the samC
avs and the same interest in every part Il
!, preserve that union, than to be in her presen
h situation? Had she thus grown up from th
II infancy of settlements, what sanguinary war
Al and devastations would have been avoided
n Oceans OF human blood would have been saved
W and philanthrophy would have scanned the pa
ges of her history with delight, where she i
u Let dstinc. nations now multiply upon GU
n northern continent, and America may one da
be what Europe has long been; but let repub
h lican union be preserved and extended, and it
+ tendency will be 10 acquire strength by it
growth, till our whole country shall becom
s an Eden Of bliss.
lie The advantages OF annexation 10 every par
= Of our own country would be great.
le 1t would secure an entrance nto the Gulf O
le Mexico and into the ocean, through all the riv
N ers west of the Mississippi which take thei
rise in the western part OF the United State:
Sc 1t would secure a valuable and convenient mar
TO ket for all the products of the far west. 1t
(. the richest sugar and cotton soil in the worlc
s. and while il would save to the country all tn
A. treasure sent abroad for the purchase OF su
10 gar, il would bring into the country immens
sums from foreign countries in exchange (c
as its surplus produce. Ii would furnish rc
u. market for the manufactures of the norther
IS states; and, by admitting them without i'm
post, give them a decided advantage over q
in foreign articles Of manufacture. 1t woul
of prevent the smuggling Of foreign merchandise
Ii by land and by little rivers, into all our ives
y, tern country, and thus secure the public re-,
he enues. 1t would afford extensive employmeI
as to the ship builders of the great western va
he ley, and great market for the materials
re which they are built, as all the steamboats, an
ed other vesses employed on the Gulf Of Mex
la CO and the western rivers would be CONSTRUCT
gn ed there. 1t would give employment to gre
I'D numbers Of seamen, and open wide door f
he commercial enterprise, as the products an