The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-09-06

SO far from Mexico being silent, she repeatedly and
'solemnly declared that she would consider annex
alton as war with her. Texas was no longer an
uninhabited country. It had been wrested from
the dominion of Mexico by citizens, many OF
whom went armed from the United States. The
war between Mexico and Texas had not been ter
minated by any treaty of peace Mr. Tyler not
only did not consult Mexico. but he announced
that her assent to the annexation altogether
necessary And he proceeded to conc lude treaty,
embracing large extent ofterritory and numer-
Gus population, not comprehended in the Texas
which the United States ceded to Spain in 1919.
In the mean time, too, powerful opposition had
arisen in the United States against the annexation
of Texas to them. Several States had declared,
through their legislatures, against it, and others, if
not whole sections Of the Union, were believed to
measure, to which, in my Raleigh letter, | alluded,
when spoke ofa considerable and respectable
portion of the confederuey." did not refer to
persons but to States or sections.
Under such circumstances, could not butre-
gard the annexation of Texas, at this time, COM
promitting the honor of my country, involving it
in a war, IN which the sympathies of all Christen-
dom would be against US, and endangering the in
tegrity Of the Union. thought then, and still be-
lieve that national d shonor, foreign war, and dis
traction and division at home were too great sac
rifices to make for the acquisition of Texas
But, gentlemen, you are desirous Of knowing
by what policy would be guided, in the event of
,,,, oJact;on as Ch;af NJ >o;st,ata nf the limited
States, in reference to the question of the anLexa-
ton Of Texas do not think it right to announce
in advance what will be the course of a future ad-
ministration in respect to question with foreign
power Ihope. hotoeuer, no hesitation IN saying
that, twtIo hauing any personal objection to
the annexation of Teras, SHOULD BE GLAD
TO SEE 1T, pithOm dishOaOr, ,cith"m ,cnr, a'ifh
the common consent Of The Union, and upon just
ani fair terms I DO NOT THINK THAT
THE SUBJECT OF SLAVERY OUGHT TO
AFFECT THE QUESTION ONE WAYOR
THE OTHER. WHETHER TEXAS BE IN
DEPENDENT OR INCORPORATED IN THE
UNITED STATES, l DO NOT BELIEVE 1T
WILL PROLoNG OR SHORTEN THE DU-
RATION OF THAT INSTITUTION. Its des.
tined to become extinct, at some distant DAY, III
my opinion, by the ope alton OF the inevitable laws
ofpopuation. 1T WOULD BE UNWlSE TO
REFUSE A PERMANENT ACQUISITION,
which will exist as long as the globe remains, ON
ACCOUNT OF A TEMPORARY INSTITU-
TIoN
In the contingency ofmy electian, TO which you
have adverted, if the affair of acquiring Texas
should become subject of consideration, should
be governed by the state of fact, and the state OF
public opinion, existing at the time might be cal
led upon to act. Above all, should be governed
by the paramount duty of preserving this Union
entire, and in harmony, regarding it as do, the
great guaranty ofevery political and public blessing
under Providence, which, as free people, we are
permitted to enjoy. am, gentlemen, respectfully,
Your obedieDt servant,
RI CIAY