The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-06-09
COM MUNICATION MS.


spectacle of intense interest is at this time pre-
scented by the state of our relations in the south
west. Ten years ago, our country rang with ap-
plause Of the heroes of San Jacinto. II was New
Orleans victory, so far as Texas was concerned,
and was universally regarded a successful ter
mination of The brief but glorious contest she had
waged for national freedom. Our sympathy was
naturally and ardeny excited for an infant people,
struggling, as we had struggled, to throw of an OPP
pressive yoke and American hearts were glad be-
cause liberty had triumphed But amid the joyful
acclamations, no prophet foresaw the momentous
political consequences to which that battle would
lead, or that the incpient republic would ere long
be the scene of the plottings and intrgues, and
above all, the unworthy articles lately employed by
the accredited functonares of certain great powers
In the exercise of their several rights, the United
States and Texas are negotiating treaty which
looks to their union and incorporation under the
| same government. The indications are strong that
this treaty win soon be consummated. The ques-
ton, Will Mexico declare war! is important, and is,
perhaps, of daily increasing magnitude. But there
is a question of far higher moment to US, as peo-
pie loving justice and hating every form of oppres
sion-ioH Nerico in this act tion haze just ground
of,car against ss' II is believed that many honest
i persons have been led into erroneous views by the
loose assertions of the industrious enemies of an
i nexation The most ingenious sophlstry has not
been wanting to create confusion of ideas in re-
gard to it, which must be dissipated by calm view
of facts. The time has arrived when it is the duty
of every citizen to review his opinions, and what
ever he may have thought of the policy of annexa-
ton while il was open question, to reflect that if
his country has proceeded agreeably to those re-
ceiyed principles which should govern nations in
their intercourse with each other, he her his
hearty support To ascertain our true position, let
US briefly recaptuate.
l A province, or department of Mexico, several
years ago, deprived of rights solemnly guaranteed
by her federal constitution revolted declared its in
: dependence and appealed to arms to maintain it.
All the resources of the parent government were en-
poyed for the suppression of this rebellion. The
effort was Jushable; and neighborlng nations, re-
4 specting her rights, forbore to interfere. Her first
generals and most efficient troops were despatched
to the refractory state So glorious and important
the work deemed, that the President of Mexico,
esteemed at once her ablest man and most skilfu
commander, placed himself at the head of the in
vading army. The contest was waged for time
with all the vigor of which Mexico was capable
Nor was the resistance unworthy of the bravest
people. They were invaded, but they met the
my at the threshold. The various engagements
the attack and defence the captures and reprisals
the confagratons and desolated fields, all proclaim
ed state of actual isar while the Alamo, the mas
acre of noble men like Crockett and Fannin-atro-
cities far exceeding all of which we had heard
or read in the annals of savage warfare-showed
that there war to the knife. San Jacinto fol-
lowed. The Mexican army was dispersed. Its
leader, fugitive, far from exhibiting that noble SUI
periorty to misfortune which the world demands Of
its heroes, did not scorn, by prayers and supplica-
| tons and promises, to impore his captor's mercy
1t is understood that through the friendly interces
sion of the American President, this lustrious pri
soner was set at liberty and permitted to return to
his own land. If there were conditions to his re-
lease, their nature the ethical question Of their
binding force, it is not now necessary TO discuss
| The important consequence of the victory,
however, was to terminate the war. 1t achieved
the separate and distinct political existence
loff Tox For, tor aid
has not planted his foot upon her soil. The speedy
action of other governments indicated their view Of
the subject The revolt had risen to the dignity of
revolution. In testimony of their conviction that
Texas "had attained sufficient solidity and strength
to be entitled to the rights and privileges belonging
to an independent State" England, and France and
the United States, with all the form and solemnity
prescribed by their respective governments,
knowledged the independence of the young repub-
lie. Thus these powers were concluded from ques-
toning, at any future PERIOD the absolute and per-
feet right of Texas to 'levy war; conclude peace
contract alliances, establish commerce, and do all
other acts and things which independent states may
Of right do" hi.
4 But all this may be admitted; yet it is zeaousy
urged that revolted province cannot be independ-
ent, in the full sense of the term, until it shall please
the parent, whose feeble hand she resisted, to ac-
knowledge her so. This is specious, and has been
urged with some effect; but principles are universal
Let us inquire if they sanction this doctrine IN
der it Spain might have lost hopeessly all her
American possessions; and, though reduced to the
very extremity of weakness, have postponed ndef
nitely their independence, by Withholding single
magic word. Could she thus have held Mexico
herself in subjection-for if the independence is not
complete, there is still subjection-untl the present
timer Historical illustrations are abundant. The
united provinces renounced their allegiance to Spain
in 1881 Within a few years the republic became
the first commercial and maritime nation in the
world. She swept Spanish commerce from the
ocean, and for long series of years sought in the
very harbors of the mother country. Her prosper
ity was unexampled She planted colonies she en-
riched herself by carrying the fabrics of Europe,
and monopolzing the spices and precious things of
the East. The victories of her Tromps and her
Ruyters made this period of her history illustrous
through all time. Mighty potentates sought her
alliance; vet the independence of Holland was not
formally acknowledged by Spain for seventy five
years. Would these reasoners contend that Ho-
land was not, therefore, independent before the
peace of Westphaliai
Again: the South American republics were moi,
acknowledged by Spain for many years after they
/ were recognised by other powers. Were their acts
nation mere utilities before the seal of such
l acknowledgement
i But the ground is changed; and it is said that
| Texas has not maintained her independence for a
sufficiently long period. Is definite time REQUESTED
The argument assumes that ten years would, with
out regard to situation circumstances be absolute
Il ~ lnsuHlCleHl, anu YET COnCeueS lnat u
might do. 1t is forgotten that ten years in the life
of one nation may, from the progress of erents, be
as hundred thousand in that of another.
Since the battle Of San Jacnto all the of
Mexico have been available for operations against
Texas; yet during that entire period she has not
fred a gun within its boundaries. We have heard,
indeed, her loud and frequent threats of invasion.
Within the last year, disdanng the wholesome mil
itary maxim that 'secrecy is the soul of surprise,
she ostentatousy published the information that an
army of many thousands was assembling upon the
Texan border to assert her integrity and vindicae
her honor. But Mexico never gave her "unpropor-
toned thought its act"
q The publicists are not silent this question,
Contemplating the perverseness of government
irritaed by the rretrievabe loss of revoed prov
ince people, they agree that Sin some cases a
complete separation is effected without any such
acknowledgment on her part, when the old govern.
ment is too weak to undertake anything effective
npnins the revnlted nroYinces colonies, and vet