The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-05-21
Mr.. MoDUFFIE's MESSAGE AGAINST
THE ANNEXATION OF TEXAS

We very cheertully comply with the request
of the Richmond Wing, and publish an extract
from Mr. McDufies mastery argument against
the annexation of Texas to the United States
The Spectator has not answered the queries we
propounded the other day, nor told us whether
Instrumentation was democratic in 1887 and
1888, and, if SO, how it happened that qnne1ation
without the anti is democratic nop; nor has he
informed us how man is to know when to shift
to the right about" in order to be always
orthodox upon this and other important measures.
II he will but oblge US in this particular, we Will
take it very kindly of him, for we have been stud
YIN and studyin it, and tried our everlastinist,
but the more we think ont the worse we get
bothered about it. Now do, Mr.. Spectator, help
us out, won't you!
EXTRACT FROM GOVERNOR McDUFFTE's MESSAGE,
OF DECEMBER, 1885, TO THE LEGISLATURE OF
SOUTH CAROLINA.
"Whlle South Carolina is Indignantly repelling
all foreign attempts to violate the sanctuary, and
endanger the existence of her domestic nsttu-
tons, it becomes her in peculiar manner to abb
stain from every sort OF interference with the
domestic concerns or domestic controversies of
doctrine of non-inlerference is one of the most
important in the code of international law, and
there are no communities on earth who SHOULD hold
it so sacred as the slaveholding States of this
Union. If, by their example in giving counte-
nance to the unlawful enterprises of their own
citizens against neigbboring and neutral Power,
they should weaken the influence of that princi-
pie among nations, they would commit an offence
against their own institutions, by impairng the
sanctity of their surest guaranty against foreign
intrusion
" Entertaining these opinions, have looked
with very deep concern, not unmingled with re-
greet, upon the occurrences which have taken
place during the present year, in various parts of
the United States, relative to the civil war which
is still in progress between the Republic of Mex
leo and one of her revolted provinces. 1t is true
that no country can be responsible for the sympa-
thes of its citizens: but am nevertheless utter
ly at loss to perceive what title either of the
parties to this controversy can have to the SYM
pathles OF the American people. IL it be alleged
that the insurgents of Texas are emigrants from
the United States, it is obvious to reply, that by
their voluntary expatration, under whatever cir
cumstances of adventure, of speculation, of honor,
or of infamy, they have forfeited all claim to our
fraternal regard. If it be even true that they
have left land of freedom for land of despot-
ism, they have done it with their eyes open, and
deserve their destiny. There is but too much
reason to believe that many of them have gone as
mere adventures, specializing upon the chances
OF establishing an independent Government in
Texas, and of Selling that immense and fertile
domain by the title of the sword But be this as it
may, when they became citizens of Mexico, they
became subject to the constitution and laws Of
that country; and whatever changes the Mexican
people may have since made in that constitution
and those laws, they are matters with which TO-
reign States can have no concern, and Of which
they have no right to take cognizance. | trust,
therefore, that the State of South Carolina will
give no countenance, direct or indirect, open or
concealed, to any acts which may compromt the
neutrality of the United States, or bring into ques-
ton their plghted faith Justice, stern and un-
bending justice, in our intercourse with other
States, should be paramount to all the considera-
tons OF mere eYpedency, even were it possible
that these could be separated. But they cannot.
Justice is the highest expediency, and | am sure
South Carolina is the last State in the Union that
would knowingly violate this sacred canon of po-
litica morality
If any consideration could add to the intrinsic
weight of these high inducements to abstain from,
every species of interference with the domestic
affairs of neighboring and friendly State, it
would be the tremendous retribution to which we
are SO peculiarly exposed on our southwestern
frontier, from measures of retaliation. Should
Mexico declare war against the United States,
and, aided by some great European Power, hoist
the standard of serve instruction in Louisiana
and the neighboring States, how deep would be
our scf-reproaches, in rejecting that these afro
clous proceedings received even colorado apo
logy from our own example, or from the unlawful
conduct OF our own citizens
"'Ihere is one question connected with this
controversy, of a definite character, upon which
it may be proper that you should express an opin-
Ion You are doubtless aware that the people of
IeXas by an almost unanimous vote, have ex-
pressed their desire to be admitted into our Con-
federacy, and application will probably be made
to Congress for that purpose. In my opinion,
Congress ought not even to entertain such pro-
position in the present state Of the controversy.
II we admit Texas into our Union while Mexico
IS still waging war against that province, with
view to re-establish her supremacy over it, we
shall, By The rery act itself, make ourselves
party to the war. Nor can we take this step,
without mourning this heavy responsibility until
Mexico herself shall recognise the independence