Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-01-21

'f the inquiries addressed TO me, to extend this
communication 10 much greater length than
could have wished, | could not do justice to the
subject. and fairly and fully expose my opinions i'm
shorter space. In conclusion. they may be stated
in few words to be, that consider the annexa-
lion of Texas, at this time, without the assent of
Mexico, as measure compromising the national
involving certainly in war with Mex
leo, probably with other foreign Powers dangerous
to the integrity of the Union, nexpedent in the
present financial condition of the country, and not
called Tor by any general expression Of public opin
ion.''
In this last paragraph we have the whole matter
compressed into nut 'shell.-Mr. CLAY opposed
the annexation of Texas because,
list, 1t would compromise our national honor;
End. 1t would involve us in war with Mexico
Sd, 1t would be dangerous to the Integrity of the
Union;
9TH, 1t would bring with it financial embarrass-
mens.
Here are the prophecies of that wise and far
sighted statesman! Behold their ful6lment!!
Who does not feel that the annexation of Texas.
under all the circumstances of the case, was what
Mr. Van Buren, declared it would be, blot on our
national escutcheon!
That the predicted war is already upon us no
argument is necessary TO prove 10 the citizens of
Augusta. The recent camp-likc appearance of our
town-the absence of many of our citizens, and
among them of him who has for twenty years held
weekly intercourse with them through, the editori
al columns Of this paper-and the excitement which
pervades the whole country in regard TO the move
ments In Mexico, are evidence enough that Mr..
CLAY was not mistaken when he said that
would follow annexation.
The proviso to Mr.. Preston Kings bill, to which
had occasion to call the attention of our readers
In our last weeks paper, raising the question whe
Their the territory which may be acquired from
Mexico shall be saveholding or non-s laveholdng-
and thereby giving to the slavery question practi
cal and tangible form-is but the first measure in
that great controversy which threatens more of evil
to the Country than any other. May Heaven in
its mercy grant that it shall not prove 10 be the
wedge which is to rive this Union asunder But
this is only one of a hundred forms in which the
Hydra headed Demon of Discord will be introduced
into our national councils by that prolific parent of
ovil-ANNExATIoN. The angry sectional debate
which is now going on in Congress is but the her
aid of future strfes
The vacuum in the Treasury, the loan of TEN
TWENTY-THREE MILLIONS, the official
demand of tax upon tea and coffee, and the pro-
posed excise tax on mills, distilleries, Watches car
riages, plate, Sc, proclaim in voice that cannot
be misunderstood the financial embarrassment of
the Government, and verify the prophecy that this
evil, too, would follow in the train of Annexation!
Here, then, we have the prophecy. and the full
filment!
When MIR. CLAY uttered these words of wisdom
he was derded by the mushroom politicians who
had sprung up amid the rank and heated feculence
OF party strife, a croaker, and almost as an enc
my 10 his Country When he said there would
be discord, and danger to the Union they declared
there would be nothing but harmony and brotherly
love! When he proclaimed that war must cnsue,
they swore that every thing belokencd peace
When he, with the spirit of prophet, foretold f.
nanclal embarrassments, taxation and debt, they,
with all the presumption that belongs to ignorance,
confidently affirmed that the burihens of the people
would be diminished, and the treasury overlooked
with unwonted abundance!
We appeal to our fellow-ctizens of all parties to
say who has propheced ruly.-Who has shown
the forecast of the statesman, and the instinct of
tfuc pdtIlOliSlll
Would that our countrymen had needed his coun-
sells! How different would have been the condi-
ton Of our Country! We should have had no war
but that which civilization and virtue wage against
ignorance and vice! We should have had no victo
res but those which peace achieves and whose fruits
are the prosperity and happiness Of the people
We should have no strife but that which springs
from a spirit of emulation i'm the GREAT race of bu
man Improvement! We should have had no taxes
but those necessary 10 support our Government and
at the time to afford protection TO the labor of
our honest Woodworking sons of toll We should
have owed national debt except that of gratitude
TO the founders and ministers OF our glorious nsti-
tuions, and to that Great Being who holds the des
tnes of nations in the hollow of His hand
THE NEW SENATOR.
We are gratificd to perceive that r. M. r.. Hun
TER, of Essex has been elected TO succeed Mr..
ARCHER in the Senate of the United States As