The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1848-07-04

LIBERAL BRITISH OPINlONS-F -FREI
/ TRADE AND TEXAS-T MEX
T CAN WAR, &C.
So many impuiatons have been cast upol
tho Americans with. regard to the Mexican
war, that il is important to show Tie PROCESS
es by which it began-processe pcrfecil,
analogous to those which have extended III,
English Empire in India and Africa, and will
extend il also in China: l. e., The mer,
force Of impact between the civilized ant
the uncyilized, in which tho latter alway.
succumb when not sufficiently numerous tc
destroy the civilized. . e.-- .en
I---Texas and its annexation are commonly
spoken of as an niquiiy analogous to the par
tition of Poland as though Mexico had been
a well-peopled country forcibly torn asiInder;
but the facts are widely different Texas is
no integral part of Mexico, but an outlying
province which, under the King of Spain,
served as huge cattle breeding farm, sub
| iect TO the incursions OF the Red Indians
the Apache and the Cumanche tribes.--
They were kept under by the patrollng of
several regiments of Dragons called Campo
adores del Cahipo; and thus did Texas con-
linue an appelidage to Mexico. When The
revolution broke out, the dragoons were with
drawn, and the Indian hunied over cattle
stocked desert. In this condition q certain
Colonel Austin, hunter of The Western
States Of the American Union, visited Mex
ico, and proposed 10 the governnentl that in
consideration dt grant Of land he would
plant five hundred rifles, and men TO WELD
i EN-, together with Wives and families, in
Texas, and would thus take order TO drive
out and keep out the Indians. The bargain
was made and the work was done blythe fight
ing contractor. Nt4tfQieers in great numbers
focked to the successD colonel AM colonist,
and prosperous tratlegtew .wilbthe Nor
thern and Western States across the border.
The semi-barbarous government Of Mexico.
grew jealous, and prohibited The trade, de-
claring that all Texan commerce must come
by sea, and be duly taxed by the custom
house. The hunii rg, rifle bearing colonsts
demurred TO this, and disregarded the gov
ernment edict, so that their trade became a
process Of smuggling. Indignant at the non
chalance of these American citizens, the
government summoned Col. Austin to Mex
ico to answer for his conduct. On his COM
pliance he was taken into custody, and cast
into prison. Long he remained there, but at.
length aiade his escupc and returned to his
stronghold on his ceded territory The rifle
armed colonfls, strong in the belief of their
own might, declared Texas independent of
Mexico, AMI prepared to do battle in behalf
OF free trade. '5''t l't t
The barbarian power accepted their chal-
lenge, and Santa Anna, al the head OF as
many thousand Elexicans as the Tejanos
were hundreds in number, marched TO attack
thnm. One small body, hemmed in fort
and nearly starved, surrendered on the usual
terms of safety to person. They were mas
sacred TO man; by the orders of the faith
less savage in gill pantaoons and epaule'tes,
with Spanish name and cork leg. Rous
ed by the treachery, the ardor of their re-
naming comrades was redoubled. The hun
dreds defeated the thousands; and captured
Santa Anna. They did not murder him,
but as the price of his freedom stipulated fr
the recognition of tile independence Of Tex
as, he agreed to it, and as set ashore in the
United States. lie returned to Mexico, and
as matter of course repudiated his agree
ment. At subsequent period another ex-
pedtion was sent against Texas; it failed,
and Il Q result was that the Independence Of
Texas was acknowledged by foreign powers,
England amongst that number. Being inde-
pendent tile citizens of Texas prayed 10 be
admitted into the northern union. The
Americans accepted them, and thus Texas
was annexed Nor was there in all this any
thing contrary to International law. The
colonists bought land from Mexico-In6lled
the terms Of payment-became Mexican Cit
izcns-disputed an oppressive fiscal regula-
tion-rose in rebellon--eslablishe their
independence-obtained its recognition by
neu,rals--and Joined themselves to another
state, All this was as legally right as it was
morally just. We cannot soc what right any
nation iii the world has TO prevent Wild lands
from being colonizsd; still less can we con
ceve thai barbarans gold d-embroidered should
be permitted 10 form an obstacle 10 civiliza,
ton. 1t is afier all moral force that mus
hold the rule; and when supported by phys
ical power, 10 make order grow out of disor;
der, il would be lamenlablc thing indeed
for The world were it to be ,hwarted. M
dThe most fortunate 'sConquest of Mexico"
will be that of the United States army; the
greatest misfortune that can happen to her
would be the withdrawal OF the power which
holds in check the incessant quarrels of hos
Tile tribes. Whether it can be made to pay
the United States for their trouble and out
lay, isanother affair; but certainly the Next !
cans and lie world at large will benoft BY a
process which wilFdesiroy anarchy, and es-
i,si.lI RaS,L.,,I :,