Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1846-01-16
ANNEXATION.

4 III hOt hiStO Nih NuANl III Jill u
Annexation of Texas has been crowded
through both branches of the National
Legislature, was in perfect character with the
rest Of the proceedings Of the American peo-
pie in relation to that nefaTious business
The Representatives Of the nation evidently
felt they were complying with a useless form,
one that was insufficient to cover up the low
lived trickery and grasping spirit OF the peo-
pie; and it needed not that by the mockery of
legislation, insult to Mexico should be added
to the injury already done her. From the
commencement to the c~onsummation Of that
matured system of outrage and plumber, by
which Mexico was despoiled of a province,
and the American Union enriched by State,
there has been displayed such political prof
legacy and utter disregard of national rights.
such total subversion of justice and violation
of honesty, and last, though not least in the
category, such mean and loa;hsome subserv-
iency to the slave power, that it shames US to
think that it was our native land which did
the accursed thing. We can hardly imagine
how those who are cognizant of the facts, or
even a small portion of the facts connected
with the scheme of annexation, can ever a.
gain defend the claim Of the American peo-
pie to the name Of Christian or republican.
Every year of our national existence serves
to develope that accused desire for power
which rules in this nation, and manifests it.
self in a determination to enlarge the boun-
daries of its empire, to acquire new territory,
fraudulently if it can, honestly if it must
Government desired to call Florida her own.
As Spain was of too much political impor-
lance in Europe to be trifed with, she opened
negotiations with that power and lecame by
purchase the POS SCISSOR of that Territory. She
cast longing eyes upon Louisiana u as France
was too powerful a nation to risk a contest
with, she obtained Louisiana in the same way
that she acquired Florida. She desired Can
ada, but feared the Lions paw, and so pre-
tended to aim at preserving the peace upon
her northern borders, while in reality she en-
couraged the patriot rebellion. With the In
dams and with Mexico the case was different.
The red-men had dwindled down to a mere
handful, their intercourse with the whites
had been to them a curse instead of a bless
ing, they were unable to resist the aggres-
sion ofthe pale-faces, and their hunting grounds
became the prey of the spoiler. Mexico was
a weak republic, her geographical position
was such as to make her an object of little in
terest comparatively to the European powers,
and the form of government she had adopted
cut her off from the sympathy of crowned
heads. This nation saw her defenceless po-
sition, and as slavery demanded that new
pasture ground be given her, Texas was sto-
len. Every addition made to her territory,
but inflames her desire for the acquisition Of
more, and the day on which she voted that
Texas was hers, there was a movement mado
in the Senate for the acquisition of Cuba, not
it is true, as Texas was obtained, for it be-
longs to Spain, but by "negotiation.' The
American people greatly desire the whole of
Oregon. Afraid to fight for it, and too eau
tious to try to swindle England out of her
portion, they resolved to effect it if possible
by bluSter; but the warlike attitude which
they at first assumed has been gradually chang
ed to a more pacific one, and they now very
properly talk about an amicable adjustment Of
the conflicting claims.
We should think that by this time, the
honest and well meaning portion of the peo-
pie had we'll nigh lost all faith in political &C
ton and political men, as a means by which,
moral evils are to be remedied or prevented.
A politician is devoted to party. II he would
maintain his own Standing, he must stand by
the party and defend its measures. No ono
seemed to be more strongly opposed to the
annexation of Texas than that portion of'
Northern democracy who are now it's warmesr
supporters. Even those Wings who declar-
ed that Its annexation would be a virtual dis
solution of the Uuion, did not denounce the
act in stronger terms than did the self-styled
Democrats to whom we nave referred. We
had no faith that the Democrats would stand
They talked as they did, for political effect
before the key note Of party had been sound
ed, therefore remuneration was easy. No
more confidence can be placed in the profess
sions of the Wings, all that they will do now
that exas is annexed, will be to make out
of it political capital if they can, and if no,