Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-01-09
The spccial Message.

On the first page will be found Mr.. Tyler's Special
Message transmitting the recent correspondence on
the Mexico Texan question: The Message may be
analysed into two divisions, d:-.i..t IN substance
though not in form. The first urges our various
grounds of just complaint and resentment against
Mexico, including the insoence of her recent pro-
ceedIngs; which 1t insists were in no respect j%ustIfi-
ed by the manner of our strong representation -
against her meditated invasion of Texas.
The second is a defence-in the nature of an argu-
mentative statement-of the course of the admins
tration in the Texas negotiation, against the censares
which il has elected on the ground Of its alleged mar
row Sec.ionality of motive and character. This In
cludes a strong and just protest against Senior ReJon's
alluson TO our own domestic differences on the sub
ject; and also against his injurious perversion of the
meaning Of the allusior made ON our side to the long
pursued aim and policy of recovering Texas to the
Union.
1t concludes with a short paragraph of So practical
application, TO the effect that, notwithstanding
these many and strong provocations, we magnani-
mously abstain from war, vet ought to push on to
80 prompt and immediate action ON the subject Of an
~nexation for which, if Mexico should then choose
to declare war against US, the just responsibility will
be hers.
With the exception of the concluding paragraph,
it is a plea, an argument, a defence, directed partly
against Senior Rejon, and partly against the Aneri-
can criticism of the course and position of the admin
Istration. This Is done with much ingenuity, though
not in all respects with perfect righteousness. In
style and manner, it is unexceptionable. So far as
regards that criticism which the recent diplomacy has
extorted, even from a large part of the public opinion
OF our own country not less favorable TO the measure
of annexation than Mr.. Tyler himself, the defensive
arguments of the Message are such as to go at least
very far TO recognize the justice Of the grounds on
which that criticism has been made.
As if to obviate the objection to a deficiency OF
large Aerican nationality in the grounds on which the
Administration had before chosen to place the meas
urp- II now NvelIr xvhoIlV ON fhp broader ones taken
by Buchanan, Walker, Jackson, Benton, and the mass
Oh the friends OF annexation. This IS the course
which should have been adopted before. 1t alone
could have satisfied and harmonized the general pub.
lie sentiment OF the country and would have at the
same time avided the deplorable error of not only
making a local ~instition, which those interested in i
guard with jealous vigilance from the interference
even of the Federal government, a subject of volun'
teer discussion with foreign powers as to its intrinsic
utility and policy.
The Message cenSures with Just severity the allu
sions in the letter of Senior Rejon to our party anC
LEGAL divisions, and expresses the following sentiment
in which every patriotic American will heartily CON
cur:
Mexico has still to learn, that however freely we mat
indulge in discussion among ourselves, the American peo
by any foreign Government; aud IN all that concerns The
constitutional guarantees and the national honor, The
People of The United States have but one mind and one
heart"
The letter OF Senior Re]on was probably written IL
anticipation of the election of Mr.. Clay and was il
reply TO the one of Mr.. Shannon, in which the latter
functionary unfortunately set the example of indulg.
ing in the following speculation as to the result of ou
party discussions
"But one object can be assigned, and that is, TO defea
the annexation of Texas TO the United States. She knows
full well that the measure is still pending, and that th'
reflections of the treaty has but postponed 1t. She knows
that when Congress adjourned IL was pending in boil
Houses, ready TO be taken up and acted upon at its mex
meeting, aud that IL IS at present actirdy canrdsSed by III
people throughout the Union. She is not ignorant tha
The decision oiu, an all probability be an ITS farOr, unles
it should be defeated by some movement exterior 10 tn,
United States"
In the pacific character of the concluding portion
of the Message, we recognize with satisfaction the
presence of another hand upon the helm of the public
vessel than that of Mr. Tyler. There have been va
rious limitations from WashIngton-now shown II
have been probably true-that while Mr.. Tyler wa
bent on a high war message, Mr. Calhoun was NOR
wisely determined to keep the peace."-N. Y. Neps