The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-05-16
v 4.

Win n BpcClhl mcSsagc, n treaty WnlCn ne Dau
caused to bo negotiated between the United
States and Texas, whereby the latter, on certain
conditions, transferred all its rights of separate
and independent sovereignty to tho United
States. In tho message, Mr.. Tyler pointed out
that Texas, In 1886. contemporaneously with
her adoption OF n Constitution. had, by II solemn
vote OF her people, embracing all her population
but ninety-three persons, declared her anxious
desire to be admitted into association with tho
United States. The vote thus taken had
never been reversed, and, in 1914, by
the action of her constituted authorities,
sustained by popular sentiment. the re-
public Of Texas reafiirmed her desire for
annexation. The President of the United States
declared that this course had been adopted by
her without the employment OF any sinister
measures on the part OF the American Govern.
mcnt. No intrigue had been set on foot to ac-
complish 1t. Texas herself willed it, and the
American Executive, concurring with her, had
seen no sufficient reason to avoid the consum.
nation of an act esteemed desirable by both.
President Tyler proceeded to set forth at consid-
cradle length his reasons for concluding the
treaty. Chief among them, undoubtedly, was the
certainty that TcxHs, II repealed by the United
States, would have sought and obtained anncxa-
ton to Great Britain. ut cannot be denied that
Texas is greatly depressed in her energies by
her lonE.protractcd war with Mexico. Under
these circumstances it is but natural that
she should seek for safety and ropose
under the protection OF some stronger power,
and 1t is equally so that her people should turn
to the United States, the lame of their birth. in
the first instance in the pursuit OF such protec-
ton. She has often before made known her
wishes. but her advances have TO this time been
repealed. The Executive of the United States
sees no longer any cause for pursuing such a
course. The hazard OF now defeating her wishes
may be OF the most fatal tendency. 1t might
lead. and most probably would. to such an en-
tire alienation of sentiment and feeling as would
inevitably induce her to look elsewhere for
aid. and force her either to enter into dangerous
alliances with other nations, who. looking with
more wisdom to their own interests. would. it is
fairly to DO presumed. readily adopt such eN-
pcdicnts; or she would hold out the proffer of
discriminating duties in trade and commerce in
order TO secure the necessary assistance. What
ever step she might adopt looking to this object
would prove disastrous in the highest degree to
the interests OF the whole Union. To say moth
ing OF the impolicy OF our permitting the
carrying trade and home market OF such a
country 10 pass out of our hands into those
OF n commercial rival. the Government, in
the first place. would be certain TO suffer
most disnstrously in its revenue by the
introduction of Il system of smuggling upon an
scale, which an army of Custom House
officers could not prevent, and which would
operate to affect injuriously the interests of all
the industrial classes of this country. Hence
would arise constant collision between the in
of the two countries, which would
cndanger their peace. A large in
crease Of the military force OF the United States
would inevitably follow. thus dcvolving upon
the people new and extraordinary burdens in
order not only 10 protect them from the danger
of daily collision with Texas herself. but to
guard their border inhabitants against hostile
inroads. SO easily excited on the part OF the
and wnrlike tribes OF Indians dwelling
in their neighborhood. Texas would undoubtedly
be unable. for many years TO come. il at any
time, TO resist. unaidcd and alone. the military
of the United States: but it is not en-
travagant TO suppose that nations reaping a
rich harvest from her trade. secured to them by
a advantageous treaties, would be induced to take
part with her in any conflict with us, from the
considerations Of public policy. Such
state OF things might subject to devastation
the territory of contiguous States, and would
cost the country In II single campaign more
thrice told over. than is stipulated to
be paid and reimbursed by the treaty now pro-
posed for ratification. | will not permit myself
to dwell on this view of the subject. Conse-
quences OF a fatal character TO the peace of the
Union, and even to tho preservation OF the
Union itself, might be dwelt upon. They will
not. however. fail to occur 10 the mind OF the
Senate and OF the country"
The message from which we have Just quoted,
tho ablCst State paper printed in
this volume. is supposed to have been written by
John c. Calhoun. Cogcnt, however, MS Its argu-
ment now seems TO us. it failed TO persuade tho
Senate to confirm the annexation treaty. One OF
the chief objections urged against it was that
the question of annexation had not been sub.
to tho ordeal of public opinion in the
United States. Thercupon the President had
the whole subject to the House of
Representatives as tho best cxpoundcrs of popu-
lar sentiment. No definite action having been
on the matter by that body. the question
itself directly to tho decision OF the
States and people. The general election which
took place in November, 1874. afforded an oppor-
tunity of ascertaining the will Of tho voters OF
the Union. Pending that announcement, tho
Executive had informed Mexico that
the question of annexation was still before the
people. and that, until their decision
pronounced, any serious invasion of Texas
would be regarded as an attempt to forcstall
their judgment and could not DO looked upon
with indifference. In November, 1874, a con- |
trolling majority Of the American people had do
clared in favor Of immediate annexation. In
had thus come up to both branches OF
from their respective constituents In
tho most emphatic. II had been pro-
to be the will of both the people and
State that Texas should be annexed TO the Union
These facts were set forth by Mr..
Tyler In his fourth annual message, and Congress
passed a Joint resolution in favor OF annexation,
the Senate still proved recalcitrant with re-
gard to the treaty, and tho contamination NJ the
plan was left to his successor.
VII.
Tho average American citizen of our day
knows as little about James X. Polk as about
John Tyler. Nevertheless. the former. like the
after. had boon q very distinguished man and
had attained a national reputation before he
was elected President. The truth is that before
The civil war such men as Hayes. Garfield. Ar
thur, and Cleveland would have had no chance
~ hatnH nnuntnafal Enu tha D,nail.a., I'M