The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1845-03-13

terests OF sections and occupations are
TO exist, and a spirit Of mutual
concession and compromise in adjusting
its details should be cherished by every
part of Our widespread country as the
only means of preserving harmony and
cheerful acquiescence of all in the opera
ton of our revenue laws. Our patriotic
citizens in every part of the Union will
readily submit to the payment OF such
taxes as shall be needed for the support
of their Government, whether in peace or
in war, if they are 80 levied as to distri-
butte the burdens as equally as possible
among them
The republic ofTcyas has made known
her desire 10 come into our Union to form
a part of our conlcdcracy, and enjoy with
us the blessings of liberty, secured and
guaranteed by our constitution. Texas
was once part of our conntry-was I'M
wisely coded away to foreign power
is now independent, and possesses an un-
doubted right to dispose of part or the
whole of her territory, and to merge her
sovereignty, as separate and lndepen-
dent State, in one. | congratulate my
country that, by an act of the late Con-
gress of the United States, the assent of
this government has been given to the re-
union; and ii only remains for the two
countries to agree upon the terms, to con-
sumate an object so important to both.
l regard the question of Annexation
as belonging exclusively to the United
States and Texas. They are mdepen-
dent powers, competent to contract; and
foreign nations have no right to interfere
with them, or to take exceptions to their
reunion. Foreign powers do not seem
to appreciate the true character Of our
Government. Our Union is conieder-
alton of independent States, whose policy
is peace with each other and all the world.
To enlarge its limits, is to extend the do
minions of peace over additional terrific
RES and increasing millions. The world
has nothing to fear from military ambition
in our Government. While the Chief
Magistrate and the popular branch Of
Congress are elected for short terms by
the suiirages of those millions who must
in their own persons, bear all the bur-
dens and miseries of war, our Govern
ment cannot be otherwise than pacific
Foreign powers should, therefore, look
on the Annexation of Texas to the United
States, not as the conquest of a nation
seeking to extend her dominions by arms
and violence, but as the peaceful acqulsl-
ton of a territory once her own, by ad-
ding another member to our conledera-
ton with the consent of that member
thereby diminishing the chances of war,
and opening to them new and ever-ln-
creasng markets for their products.
TO Texas the reunion is important,
because the strong protecting arm of oul
Government would be extended over her
and the vast resources of her fertile sol
and genial climate would be speedily de-
velopcd; while the safety of New Or
leans and of our whole southwestern
frontier against hostile aggression, as
well as the interests Of the whole Union
would be promoted by it.
In the earlier stages of our National eS
istencc, the opinion prevailed with some
that our system of conlederated States
could not operate successfully over ar
extended territory, and serious objections
have, at different times been made to the
enlargement of our boundaries. These
objections were earnestly urged when We
acquired Louisiana. Experience has
shown that they were not well founded
The title of numerous Indian tribes to
vast tracts of country has been eXtinguish
ed. New States have been admitted into
the Union. New Territories have beer
created, and our jurisdiction and laws ex
tended over them As our population ha
expanded, the Union has been enlarged
and our agricultural population has beer
spread over large surface, our fedora
tive system has acquired additiona
strength and security. 1t may be doubt
ad whether it would not be in create
danger of overthrow, if our present popu
lation were confined to the comparativel,
narrow limits of the original ,hirteel
States, than it is, now that they arr
sparseIy settled over more expanded
territory. 1t is confidently believed iha
our system may be safely extended tc
the utmost bounds of our territorial lin
its; and that, as it shall be extended
the bonds of our Union, so far from be
ing weakened, will become stronger,
None can fail to see the danger to ou
safety and future peace, if Texas re
mains an independent State, or become
an ally or dependency of some foreign ma
ton more powerful than herself Is Their
one among our citizens who would no
prefer perpetual peace with Texas, tt
occasional wars, which so often occu
between bordering independent nations
Is there one who would not prefer FREE
intercourse with her, to high duties OF
all our products and manufactures whicl
enter her ports or cross her frontiers?-
Is there one who would not prefer an I'm
restricted communication with her citi
zens, to the frontier distractions whicI
must occur if she remains out of the I'm
ion? Whatever is good or evil IN the 10
cal institutions of Texas, will remain he
own whether annexed TO the Unitei