Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-07-17
ANNEXATION OF TEXAS.


Which never ceaseth to enlarge itself.
TILL by bread spreading, it dispense to nought'
Our readers are already appraised of the unani-
mons consent Of the Texian Congress to the terms
of Annexation proposed by the "Joint Resolutions"
passed by our Congress at its last session. We
have sincerely and snxousy endeavoured to turn
our best reflections the subject of the Annexation
Of Texas to this Union, as it stands We
have been bitterly and violently opposed to the
schcme Of Annexation in all the different shapes
and forms which ii has assumed, and had we the
battle to fight over, we should pursue idenlicaly
the same cosrse again. We have never yet been
enabled to satisfy our mind either to the
stitutionality or expediency Of the measure, al
though we have discussed the question and
over again, with our political opponents, and ma
nv Of our orn political and personal friends for
whose judgements and opinions we entertain the
highest regard and esteem. The more we contem-
plate the subject the more outrageous and wicked
does the scheme appear, and the more difficulty
do we have in bringing our mind to the conclusion,
that as good citizen i, is our duty to bow in sub
mission md silence to the law of the land. The
law Of Congress has invited Texas into our Union
and she has accepted the invitation. Were this
all, we should have po;hing to ssy-but when we
see the Constitution of our Country lying at our
feet, outraged and trampled upon by the passage
of thi. law, we truly confess that we feel the
promp,ings of resistance to its eonsnmmafion ris-
ing in our breast.
We have never doubted for one moment the cru
Ell and savage warfare conducted by the Mexican
Government against the inhabitants of Texas, and
therefore we goried in the recognition of her In
dependence by our Government, and We hoped TO
zee Texas 'assumc among the nations of the earth
a free and equal station. BY this act we did no
more than we were bound 20 do as civilized and
christian people--but we did not thereby seek to
become party TO the quarrel existing between
Mexico and Texas. The sober judgement and
better feelings of the nine'lenhs Of the people of
this Union reyolted at The idea Of acting in bad
faith and violating the sacred principals and roa-
Ties of p.acs and amiiy existing between our coun-
cry aid Mexico. These we're the opinions of our
Government in 1887, and fully set forth in the
able correspondence of the Secretary of State, the
late Hon JuHs Forsyth, of Georgia, and address
ed to the Texan Minister then at Washington,
Gen. MsauscAs Hunt. In this act Of Mr. Van
Burens administration. the judgement OF all par
ties in the country ooncurred. We have never
been enabled 10 discover why the reasons urged
by Mr.. Forsyth in 1887, against the constitution
Atty and expediency Of the measure, should not
be as binding and forcibe now, they we're
then. What to gain by the admission OF
Texas into this Uuionf The reply always is--one
Of tho most magn,feent territories upon the face
nf this fair earth, If the acquisition OF land and
re yri,ory be our object, then should pause and
reflect, for already we havs more than know
,.hat 10 do with--more than will DO peopled in
our dsy and generation, admitting to the fullest
sxten, The tide Of emigration rolling steadily to
ihis country.
Th;, lus, after land and territory is full OF fearfol
(oreboding to the permanencY Of our Union and The
rs,,etuity of our Republican institutions The
mast full Of awful warning to us upon this point
the Republics of Ancient times now lie moulder'
inc in the dust--alihough powerful and null
of prosperity, and Frightening prospects, as we
now sre-but where they nowf Hum
f,tt Their last for territory was the main cause
cf their downfall To gain possession OF territory,
they trsmped upon right and jn'tioS--they OPP
pressed The weak aud dcfsncsless--their ensroaoh-
cnents marked by violation OF good isitn
and solemn ooIigation--snd their only reward for
~ these outsgs-broad acres. The consequences