New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-04-24
The Texas Question.

In view of the exciting nature of any question
of such magnitude that of Annexation, IN
volving great sectional considerations and vtally
affecting immense private interests, especially one
which trenches on the perllous subject of Slave
nv. VIC feel impellcd to great caution and calm
ness-to measure our words. and be careful 10
discharge no arrows which may leave wounds Il"
rankle long after the contest has ceased. Such
we hope and believe, is the general disposition Of
considerable citizens. But Gen. James Hamilton,
of South Carolina, Texas and all along shore
seems OF different way of thinking. Return
ing from Texas to New Orleans few days since
he picks up the Letter Of Mr.. Webster against An
nexation. and distorts what Mr.. w docs say-that
the Annexation to this Country Of Slave-hodng
regions now Foreign is nadmssible-and perverts
il into declaration that no Sldre-holding STATE
shall hereafter be admitted pithin tie pale of
the Union There is sort of warrant for or
fairness in this Mr. Webster takes no ground,
the North takes no ground, against the admission
of States formed from our o,rn National Terri
toru, South of the line long since settled as that
of demarcation between Slavery and entire Free
dom but the introduction of States formed from
the Territory of other Nations is ali entirely diff
ferent affair While the Free States will object
to the addition of new Slave Territory to the
Union, to be erected into States, it is just as
proper and Just for the Slave States to object to the
incorporation of new Territory North oft the 36,h
degree of latitude. We hope they will do so
whenever any acquisition of Territory on the
North is attempted. 1t is sufficient objection
to any such acquisition that 1t unsettes the
clearly defined balance of power between the
Free and Slave States and precipitates us into
new collisions and commissions Let us be con-
tent within our present unwicdy dimensions.
Gen. Hamilton, following the example of some
of our ewn Hotspurs, eXclaims that the Union is
dissolved il Mr.. Webstcr's doctrine is sustained.
or course, nobody is frightened by this windy
defamation. We shall hear the like Il hundred
times vet and the Union be safe and sound after
all.
But Gen. Hamilton himself gives us album
dant reason for not admitting Texas. 1t seems
that he himself went to Europe as Represents
tive of Texas, and persuaded several of the Great
Powers to recognize the independence OF the new
Republic by his assurance that she possessed all
the clements of National existence, and would
assuredly maintain National attitude. 1t was
ON this ground alone that our Government was
justified in acknowledging Texas as one of the
Nations of the Earth Ii Long Island or Ill.,
nois should declare itself independent, or party
of Slaves should escape and cntrench themselves
on ST. Edisto Island, no power could Justly re-
cognizc their independence, though they had de-
feated our troops sent against them in repeated
battles And now Texas, by seeking admission
into the Union, plainly admits that she is MT pro-
perly Nation, and ought TO be and remain
Department of Mexico This is her own attitude
We ask that it be regarded in the light OF Public
Morality and International Law.