Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1844-04-27

presume Il IS with the purpose, upon the termi-
nation OF the armistice, Of renewing the war and
enforcing her rights, as she considers them.
This narrative shows the present actual condition
OF Texas, so far as l have information about IL.
If be correct Mexico has not abandoned, but per-
severes in the assertion Of her rights by actual force
OF arms, which, If suspended, are intended 10 be re-
newed. Under these circumstances if the Govern
ment Of the United States were to acquire Texas,
il would acquire along with il all the membranes
which Texas is under, and among them the actual
or suspended war between Mexico and Texas.
Of that consequence there cannot be doubt.
Annexation and war with Mexico are identical.
Now, for one, certainly am not willing to involve
this country in foreign for the object of ac-
quring Texas. fknow there are those who regard
such war with Indifference and as trifing affair,
on account Of the weakness OF Mexico, and her in
ability to infict serious injury upon this country.
But do not look upon it thus lightly. regard
all wars as great calamities, to be avoided, if
possible, and honorable peace as the wisest and
truest policy Of this country. What the United
States most need are union, peace, and patience.
Nor do ] think that the weakness Of Power
should form motive, in any case, for inducing us
to engage in or 10 depreciate the evils Of war.
Honor and good faith and Justice are equally due
from this country towards the weak as towards the
strong. And, il an act Of injustice were to be per-
petrated towards any Power, il would be more
compatible with the dignity Of the nation, and, in
my Judgment, less dishonorable, to inflct il upon
powerful instead Of weak foreign nation. But
are we perfectly sure that we should be free from
injury in statesof war with Mexicoi Have we
any security that countless numbers Of foreign
vessels, under the authority and flag of Mexico,
would not prey upon our defenceess commerce in
the Mexican gulf on the Pacific ocean, and on every
sl1ro c..lo Lokr H.
hand does Mexico offer, as indemnity for our losses,
to the gallantry and enterprise Of our countrymen?
This view Of the subject supposes that the war
would be confined to the United States and Mexico
as the only belligerents. But have we any certain
guaranty that Mexico would obtain no allies among
the great European Powers? Suppose any such
Powers, jealous of our increasing greatness, and
disposed to check our growth and cripple us, we're
to take part in behalf OF Mexico in the war, how
would the different belligerents present themselves
ito Christendom and the enlightened world We
have been seriously charged with an inordnate
spirit OF territorial aggrandizement; and, without
admitting the justice of the CHARGE it must be own
ed that we have made vast acquisitions of territory
within the last forty years. Suppose Great Britain
and France, or one of them, we're to take part
with Mexico, and, by manifesto, we're to proclaim
that their objects were to assist weak and help
less ally to check the spirit of encroachment and
ambition of an already oyergrown Republic, seek
ing still further acquisitions of territory, to main
tain the independence Of Texas, disconnected with
the United States and to prevent the further pso-
pagation of slavery from the United States, what
would be the effect Of such allegations upon the
judgment of an impartial and enlightened world
Assuming that the annexation Of Texas is war
with Mexico, is it competent to the treaty-making
power to plunge this country into war, not only
without the concurrence Of, but without degning to
consult Congress, to which, by the Constitution,
belongs exclusively the power of declaring war
have hitherto considered the question upon the
supposton that the annexation is attempted with
the of Mexico. If she yields her consent
that would materially affect the foreign aspect Of
the question, il il did not remove all foreign diff
cuties. On the assumption OF that assent, the ques-
ton would be confined to the domestic considera-
lions which belong to it, embracing the terms and
conditions upon which annexation is proposed dc
not think that Texas ought to be received into the
Union, an integral part of it, in decided opPosi-
ton TO the wishes of considerable and respectable
portion of the Confederacy. / think il far more
wise and important to compose and harmonic the
present Confederacy, as exists, than to intro
duce a new element of dscord and distraction into
/ it. In my humble opinion, it should be the con-
| slant and earnest endeavor of American statesmen
TO eradicate prejudices to cultivate and foster con-
cord, and to produce general contentment among all
parts Of our Confederacy. And true wisdom, il
seems TO me, points TO the duty OF rendering its
present members happy, prosperous, and satisfied
with each other rather than to attempt to introduce
alien members, against the common consent and
with the certainty of deep dissatisfaction. Mr..
Jefferson expressed the opinion and others believed
that it in the contemplation of the trainers
Of the Constitution to add foreign territory to the
Confederacy, out Of which new States we're to be
formed. The acquisitions Of Louisiana and Florida
may be defended upon the peculiar ground of the
relation in which they stood TO the States Of the
Union. After they admitted, we might well
pause awhile, people our vast wastes, develop our
resources, prepare the means of defending what we
possess, and augment our strength, power, and
greatness. Ii thereafter further territory should be
wanted for an increased population, need enter
tain no apprehensions but that il will be acquired
by means, it is to be hoped, fair, honorable, and
constitutional.
Ii is useless to disguise that there those who
espouse and those who oppose the annexation Of
Texas upon the ground Of the influence which il
would exert, in the balance of political power, be-
tween two great sections of the Union l conceive
that no motive for the acquisition Of foreign terri
tory would be more unfortunate, or pregnant with
more fatal consequences, than that of obtaining il
for the purpose OF Strengthening one part against
| another part of the common Confederacy. Such
principle, put into practical operation, would men,
ace the existence, If it did not certainly sow the
seeds Of dissolution Of the Union. II would be
Il