The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-03-19

| II proved TO belong to that great class OF event
which often involve revolution within revolution
That same revolutionary spirit which had separate
Mexico from Spain now seized upon one Of he
largest provinces, and gave birth to the republic o
Texas. Then arose the Texas question. Having
most signay defeated her enemies at Bexar il
December 1885, and in several smallar engagements
she conceived that she had won her independents,
by the power of arms, and was entitled TO rscogni
tion amongst the nations of the globe. Accordingly
early in 1886, March g. she declared her independ
ence, and March l7) adopted her constitution
But all this occurred before the battle Of San Jacinto
which, however, soon followed; and President Jack
son, on his own responsibility, adopted measures L
ascertain, through an agent for that purpose, ths
"potical, military, and civil condition Of Texas :
Mr. Clay was still true TO the principles Of South
American emancipation. He reported, 10 1896
from the COMMITTEES on Foreign Relations in the
Senate, resolution, that the Independence ol
Texas ought to be acknowledged by the United
States, whenever satisfactory information shall bs
received that il has in successful operation ciyi
government, capable OF performing the duties and
Performing the obligations ofan independent power
This resolution was unanimously adopted, with an
amendment approving Of the course Of the President
with regard to Texas Resolutions to the same eff
feet were reported in the House of Representatives
from the Committee on Foreign Relations, which
were adopted without debate.
Early In the ensuing year, (l637, the Senate re-
solved that u is expedient and proper, and in per-
feet conformity with the laws Of nations, and the
practice Of this government in like cases. that the in
dependent political existence Of said State be ac-
knowledged by the government of the United States;
and the general appropriation bill of the same year
provided = for the outfit and salary Of diplomatic
agent, to be sent to the republic Of Texas"
Thus did we acknowledge, and in my opinion
rightfuliy, the Independence Of Texas Yet n was
we'll known at that tlme that Mexico had not aban-
doned the hope Of re-establishing her sovereignty
in the Texan territory. Expeditions were planned
for reconquest but the internal dissensions of
Mexico prevented her from attempting in earnest
their execution. It was even urged by many
against the annexation Of Texas, nearly ten years
afterwards, that Mexico still claimed her rebelious
province, and would regard such measure as
cause for Certain it is, that the early recog-
milton of Texan independence hastened annexation,
and annexation, with other matters of difference,
hastened the late war with Mexico Yet we did
not hesitate to respect the revolutionary principle,
which had crowned Texas with glorious success on
the battlefield, and given to the New World new
republic, whatever might be its permanency, what
ever might be the probable period Of its duration.
Our conduct towards revolutionary France may
well be cited to illustrate the practice of govern
ment in cases like that now under consideration.
Did we stop to inquire how long the old republic,
directory, consulship, consuship for life empire
of France was likely to endure' No. sir, they were
all for the time being, recognised the legitimate
governments of France, whilst their sudden rise and
fall proved but little for their "pcrmanency."
When the French people lately expelled their
tyrant king, erected a republic upon the ruins OF
h,s throne, and asked of us its recognition, did we
stop TO inquire how long before Louis Philippe
would re-enter Paris in Triumph or how long be-
fore the French would be engaged in making war
upon sister European republicsi No, sir. The
conduct of our minister at Paris, upon this occa-
sion, was worthy Of the American republic. Being
without instructions for such an emergency, he ap-
ticipated the wishes of his government and country
men, On the third day after the revolution, he met
the provisional government at the Hotel de Vile,
and rendered to II his congratulations. On the same
day, by note in reply to one from Lamartine, he
more formally recognised the new republr.
The conduct of Mr.. Rush was fully approved by
the Executive and by Cong ress and itfound hearty
response an the bosoms of the American people.
Mr.. Polk communicated to Congress the dispatches
OF our minister upon the subject; and Congress re.
solved, almost unanimously, " that, in the name and
behalf of the American people, the congratulations of
Congress hereby rendered TO the people of France
upon the success Of their efforts to consolidate
the principles of liberty in republican form Of gov
Thus was the present revolutionary government
oil France recognised, and thus do we see what has
bsen the practice of our government on similar occa-
sions. Ought we to have done less than we did for
the South American rcpublicsi for Mexico, Texas,
and Francei Had not Hungary de Jaeio govern
menti Had she, too, not triumphed upon the bat
teheldf declared her Independence, and maintained
i by the power Of her arms as against Austria !
Yet, in the case Of heroic Hungary, the President
did not authorize his "agcnt in Europen TO recog-
Mise the existing de facio government No; that
could not be done. She must establish "peryna.
neat" government, and be able in the language Of
the message, ito sustain " it. A peaee-loving Ex-
ecutive required more war. He wished TO read of
more battles fought and won more Austrian cruel
ties, more villages burned, more massacres, more
blood
But the question does not stop here. II concerns
the principles and policy Of our government in its
earliest foundations. IL comes home TO our very
hearts. II carries us back to our revolutionary his
tory, and begs us TO do for others what we have
begged them to do for us. 1t reminds us that we,
too, had struggle for liberty. However dark the
clouds which seemed 10 lower upon our fortunes,
and however desperate was the prospect, we were
yet strong in the righteousness Of our cause We
looked the world boldly in the face, and asked for
help, for recognition We sent our agents and rep
TO the great capitals Of Europe. And
this we did, ere we had scarcely passed the hresh-
old Of our Revolution. The gloomy winter Of. l776
and III was yet before us. The surrender Of Corn
wallis was yet buried in the distant future. The
plains of Saratoga were yet unknown 10 fame. We
had still u fight the enemy at Trenton, Princeton,
Brandywine, Germantown, Saltwater, Monmouth,
Oohiuent OoW- -pcHr, huu ouiHOfus III ihCt tiF, tnc
Revolution was still before us; and we yet boldly
asked the world TO recognise our independence.
We sent our commissioners to France. She did
not respond with mere recognition. She sent us a
minister; she contracted with US the treaties OF ,7S;
and even sent us ships, men, and money.
We asked Holland, also, for aid Her generous
people repenished our failing treasury, whilst she
US and the final result was treaty Of
amlty and commerce in 1892.
Sweden would not wait for us. Seeing the jus.
tice Of our cause, she anticipated our desires. She
volunteered TO her friendship in 1882, and The re-
suit was the treaty OF '63.
All this occurred during the Revolution, or before
the definitive acknowledgement Of our independence
by Great Britain. But we did, and attempted, still
more: We appointed committees for the sole pur.
pose Of corresponding with our friends in Great
Britan Ireland and other parts of the world;r and
70 this effect ia the very first entry on the Secret
Journal Of Congress in 1775, concerning our foreign
affairs. We sent also agents to Madrid, Berlin,
and Vienna. Yes, we sent them to the capital OF
Ausiria--of Hungary even, il may be said; FOR she
was then Austria. But unfortunately, perhaps, for