Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1850-09-14
TIT Texas Question.

tivelv settIed-and doubtless to the satisfaction
of four-fifths of the Union-the question re-
latiye to the boundary or rights of Texas, as it
appears at present, seems to present greater
danger to the peace of the country, than any
question that has been brought forward in
Congress. 1t has this disadvantage with re-
gard to its adjustment-that those who sup
ported the bill as it lately passed in the Sen
ate, done so more as a matter of policy than as
a right, Or Justice, that was due to Texas. Her
claims in New Mexico, when the war COM
menced, wee not definitely established-they
were far from being as clear as her claims up
on the Rio Grande, which, even after the an
n~exation, were strongly objected to by a large
number ofthe citizens of the States. 1t was
declared, that by the laws Of nations, no 60
vernment which had acquired its territory by
conquest, could have any legal claim to such
territory unless actually occupied by the force
of her laws and her military. And it was as
strongly declared null any treaty defining boun-
Diary, which might have been made with a
captured chief (Santa Anna) when his life was
in jeopardy. Ga the Rio Grande, Texas never
had any control previous to annexation, or
previous to the war. Those citizens living on
the Texas side paid tribute to Mexico alone,
and acknowledged nc other government. This
was well known to the then existing govern
ment of Texas. Why did she not then, as
now, with reference to Santa Fee, marshal her
forces, and prepare to send them to the Rio
Grande, and enforce obedience to her laws?
The reason is evident. She did not consider
she had any right there-except what arms
could enforce, and se was not then in the hu-
NOR to advance this argument. But annexa-
ton and the war, while they have enabled her
to take charge of her mag mary possessions in
that direction, have pandered to her inordinate
anbition-and low, since New Mexico has
she busters and swaggers about her rights in
that region, because the people have dared to
make laws for themselves in connection with a
new State, whom in fact, she has never pre-
sumed to exercise any authority over them!
Instead, in an emergency like this, ofappeal-
ing to the Congress of the United States to
have her boundary defined. as claimed by her,
and see what extent of justice could bs OBJ
tanned in that quarter, Texas at once calls to
arms-thinking no doubt that Uncle Sam in
New Mexico, would be easieNeo scare or whip
than the Mexicans on the Rio Grande.
Mr.. Pearee's bill, giving Texas ten millions
for her rights. in Mexico, as claimed by her,
was Offered more in the shape of a bonus to
quell excitement and do away with the subject
at once, and have no further contention on the
subject, than as a right. The warmest friends
Of Texas could not see aphy this sum should be-
given her; and that it was highly generous, is
conclusive from the fact that both of her SEN
ators voted for it.
AS far Us we can perceive, the sentiment
which prevails at present throughout the coun-
try, is that the bill shall become a law, not
withstanding the objections that can be urged
against it. The truth is, the people are sick
and tired of this civil discord among the States
-or their representatires-and are willing to
sacrifice any thing for peace. Ifthe bill should
not pass, and Texas, unwilling to wait the
further action of Congress, marches her troops
to Santa Fe-resolyed to attack the stars and
.stripes-brother against brother-the purest
patriots, the warmest Union men, may well
tremble for the perpetuity Of our peerless Go
vernment-our model Republic. A momen-
tous responsibility, at the present time, rests
upon che authorities and leading men ofTexas.
drawn blood in civil strife, while grasping for
an equivocal right.