The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1846-03-12


give below several extracts from the speech
of Mr.. Theirs, late prime minister of France,
and her most eminent statesman. They
speak the views Of France, independent Of
the feelings of Louis PHILIPPE, and it recog-
nises truths which our native Wing presses
are slow to perceive, that the "little inde-
pendent republics of America, do nothing
more than constitute new subjects for the
service of England" and that "never had
an annexation taken place in a more regular
manner" Here the policy and justice of
our course are fully conceded and acknow-
ledged. Yet it was said that all Europe de-
nounced the "iniquiiy." Theirs takes tpre-
csely the view which was taken by the
Democratic party in support of annexation,
and the view which posterity will take of it,
when party spirit has subsided, and MEN will
be content 10 look at the bearing the mea-
sure has had upon the interests of the
country. He says:
You know that great misunderstanding
has arisen between England and America.
hope tha. this Understanding will have hap
py termination; but in so serious a situation
the conduct of France ought to be circum-
spect, and fear that it has not been suffi-
ciently so. What makes the thing still more
serious is the theory put forward by the
minister of foreign affairs on this subject; |
think his theory an aggravation of the fact
itself 1t consists in saying that there ought
to be an American equilibrium, which should
constitute us the survelant, and that we
should watch with jealousy the increasing
grandeur of America. Such conduct would
be in any case improper, but in the present
circumstances it would be particularly so.
You are aware that Texas is Of great i'm
portance to the United States, who are al
ready in possession of two-thrds of the Gulf
of Mexico, and that its possession was anx-
iously desired by that power; will add
that never had an annexation been made in
more regular manner. For more than ten
years Texas had been separated from Mex
co, and all the powers, including France,
had recognised it. Texas, being thus ac-
knowledged independent, had right TO dis
pose of itself as it chose. 1t considered it
consistent with its interest to belong 10 4
great state rather than to be isolated. 1t
proposed its annexation 10 the United States.
The question was debaled. 1t was not pa
trotism alone that determined the United
States to agree to the proposition; it was, in
great measure, real interests; but feelings
of patriotism came also into play, and now
the annexation is fact irrevocably accom-
plished. Nevertheless, it is under these
circumstances that the cabinet has considered
it its duty to oppose itself to this measure.
If it be true, as stated by the minister of
foreign affairs, that success should be the
law of governments, there has been a fault
in this affair, for it has failed, and has caused
interruption IN our relations with the United
States. But what good reason could have
excited the opposition of the cabinet 10 the
annexation? | can see none. | shall first
examine our relations with Mexico. Is there
in America a state 10 which we owe less
Difference than TO Mexico? Can it be said
that reasons of interest or consideration foi
Mexico should have moved US to prevent
Texas from uniting itself with the grea,
r American republic? Did our commercial
interests demand it? Ii has, know, been
said that we had an interest in drawing our
supply of cotton from Texas; but, in the
first place, that State did not furnish large
, quantity; and in that market it must be ac.
knowledged that Texas was of little conse.
quence 10 us in that respect. If in America
there was only the United States in opposi-
ton to France, it would, no doubt, have
been better for us that the United States
sould not acquire the neghboring. counties
But the Americans and ourselves are not the
only powers there. The English are also in
those seas. You made treaty with Texas,
and at the same time England also made one,
in which the condition of the most favored
nation was carefully stipulated. 1t is certain
the little independent republics do nothing
more than constitute new subjects for the
service of England, and that it is better there
should be an annexation, which takes them
away from the ascendancy of that power In
truth, cannol find in all this any reason
which can have weight with statesmen. II
indeed, you conscienliously believe in the
American equilibrium, if the greatness Of
America frightens you more than anything
else, can understand your conduct. But
permit me TO say few words on that sub
Iject. Without doubt, if one looks back to
what has happened in America within the
last fifty years, one cannot help being sur
prised When one thinks that at the time
when we came to their aid the United States
hardly occupied the shores of the Atlantic,
and that to-day they dispute with England
the shores of the Pacifc-when this is all