The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-05-08

ded tllat, II ne lndde tDe OVertuTo, IL Nouio |
have no other effect than to aggravste irrita- |
tons, already existing, upon matters OF diff |
erence between the two countries.
The events which have since transpired in |
Texas are well known. She revolted against
finally fought and won the memorable battle |
of San Jacinto, annhilating Mexican army, |
and making a captive of the Mexican Pres |
i,}ent. The signal success OF that revolution |
was greatly aided, if not wholly achieved; by |
citizens of the United States who had emigra- |
ted to Texas. These succors, if they could |
not always be prevented by the government |
of the UnitedStates, were furnished in man |
per and to an extent which brought upon us
come national reproach in the eyes Of an i'm
partial world. And, in my opinion, they i'm
pose on us the obligation Of scrupulously a.
yoiding the imputation of having instigated
and aided the Revolution with the ultimate
view Of territorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. After
the battle of San Jaciuto, the United States
recognized the independence Of Texas, in
conformity with the principle and practice
which have always prevailed in their councils
of reco gnizing the government "de JGcto,"
without regarding the question dc jure.-I
That recognition did not affect or impair the
which existed between her and Texas. She,
on the contrary, has preserved all her rights
and has continued TO assert, and so far as l
know. vet asserts, her right to reduce Texas
TO obedience, as a part Of the Republic OF
Mexico. According to late intelligence, it is
probable that she has agreed upon a tempo
rary suspension Of hostiliiics; but, if that has
been done, presume it is with the purpose,
npon the termin alton Of the armistice, of re-
uewing the war aud enforcing her rights, as
she considers them.
This narrative shows the present actual
condition Of Texas, SO far as | have inform
alton about it. fit be correct, Mexico has
not abandoned, but pcrseTeres in the asser-
ton of her rights by actual force of arms,
which if suspended, are intended to be reRew-
ed. Under these circumstances, if the gov
eminent of the United States were to acquire
Texas, it would acquire along with ii all the
membranes which Texas is under, and a.
moug them the actual or suspended war be ..
tween Mexico and Texas. OF that couse-
quence there cannot be n doubt. Annexa-
non and war with Mexico are identical. Now
for one, | certainly am not willing TO involve
this country in foreign war, for the object of
acquiring Texas. | know there are those
who regard such a war with indifference and
as a trifiing affair, on account Of the weak
ness of Mexico, and her inability to in1ct Sc
rious injury upon this country. But ! do
not look upon it thus lightly. ] regard all
wars as great calamities, TO be avoided, if pos
sible, and honorable peace as the wisest and
truest policy of this country. What the Uni
ted States most need are union, peace, and
patience. Nor do think that the weakness
of Power shouldiform motive, in any case
for inducing us 10 engage in or to depreciate
the evils of war. Honor and good faith and
justice are equally due from this country to-
wards the weak as towards the strong. And,
If an act of injustice were TO be perpetrated
towards any power, il would be more COM
patble with the dignity of the nation, and, in
M Judgment less dishonorable, TO inflct it
upon powerful instead of a weak foreign
nation.
But are we perfectly sure that we should be
free from injury in state of war with Mex
icoi Have we any security that countless
numbers of foreign vessels, under the author
ity and flag Of Mexico, would not prey upon
our defenceless commerce in the Mexican
Gulf, on the Pacific ocean, and on every 9TH
sr sea and ocean! What commerce on the
other hand does Mexico offer, as an idemnity
for our losses, to the gallantry and enter
prise of our counirymenl This view of the
subject supposes that the wal would be con-
fne1 TO the United States and Mexico as the
only seligerenis. But have we any certain
guaranty that Mexico would obtain no allies
among the great European Powers7 Sup
pose any such Powers, Jealous of our increas-
ing greatness, and disposed to check our
growth and cripple us, were to take part in
behalf Of Mexico in the war, how would the
different beligerents present themselves TO
ChristendOm and the enlightened world! We
have been seriously charged with an inordi-
nate spirit of territorial aggrandizement; and
without admitting the justice of the charge,
il must be owned that we have made vast ac-
QUESTIONS of territory within the last forty
years. Suppose Great Britain and France,
or one of them, we're TO take part with Mexi-
co. and by manifesto, were to proclaim that
their objects were 10 assist a weak and help
less ally to check the spirit of encroachment
and ambition of an already overgrown repub-
lie. seeking still further acquisitions of terri
rory TO maintain the independence of Texas,
disconnected with the United States, and to
prevent the further propagation of slavery
from the United States, what would be the
effect of such allegations upon the Judgment
of al impartial and enlightened worIdl
Assuming that the annexation of Texas is
war with Mexico, is it competent TO the trea-
ty-msking power to plunge this country into
war. not only without the concurrence OF, but
without deigning to consult Congress to
which, by sthe Constitution, belongs exclu-
siyely the power of declaring war;
have hitherto considered the question up
on the suppositiop that the annexation is at
tempted without the assent Of Mexico If
she yields her consent, that would materially
affect the foreign aspect of the question, if it
did net remove all foreign difficulties. On
the assumption of that assent, the question
would be confined to the domestic consider
atoms which belong to it. embracing the
terms and conditions upoa which annexation
is proposed. ! do not think that Texas ought
to be received into the Union, as an integral
part of it, in decided opposition to the wish
es of a considerable and respectable portion
Of the CoHfederaey. ! think it far more wise
and important to compose and barmonize
the present Confederacy, as ii now exists,
than to introduce a new element of discord
and distraction into it. In my humble opin-
ion, it should be the constant and earnest en-
NJ