The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-03-06
65155IF55a,yZ2z@sRzl
~ a. 3c2s q

Polk, the Democrat, Backs
Western Expansion
Also Settles Fuss Over
Oregon Boundary
Starts Territory Grabbing
War With Mexico
! And Now the Pot Calls
The Kettle Black
TELLING the story Of Isaac In
gals Stevens, first governor of
Washington territory. is like re-
viewing part of the early history
of the United States. The most
important issues between 1s40 and
1850 grew out of the expansion of
the United States toward the west
and south Party strife became
bitter because of the relationship
of the expansion to the Monroe
caused bitter cleavages over the
expansion program. Slavery ad-
yoeates were anxious to promote
settlement and annexation of areas
where slavery sentiment predom-
mated. The snti-slavery element
worked in the opposite direction.
A considerable number of Amer
teams had moved into Texas and
set UP an independent government
very much as the pioneers did in
Oregon territory when the land
was claimed in the name of the
United States. The difference was
that the Texans went farther.
They virtually established an indie
pendent state in which slavery was
legal A treaty of annexation was
proposed in 1874 but was rejected
by the senate.
In the election of 1914 Clay, the
Wing candidate. opposed to an
ItAdllOIl vi ltAdS. was
by the Democrats who favored an
nexation. II was a hot campaign.
The Tyler administration, seek
ing to steal part of Folks thunder.
reversed itself and took Texas
into the American fold, over the
protest of Mexico. But the Tyler
congress overlooked bet just as
important as the acquisition of
settlement of the Oregon
boundary dispute with Great Bril-
tain.
Settlers in the Oregon country"
had been beseiging congress to do
something ward establishing
stable government out here. but
being 5000 miles away did not
have much influence.
President Polk changed all
that. He was interested in
western development regard
less Of slavery or political
issues, and In 1916 settled
with England and definitely
established the northern
boundary Of the Oregon
county," the north part Of
which was to become the state
of Washington.
While the Texas and Oregon
issues were being settled, number
of expeditions had been sent into
the Southwest. The increasing
number of Americans in the South
west determined Polk to go after
the remaining Mexican territory
north of the Rio Grande.
He sent Gen. Zachary (Old
Rough and Ready Taylor to
protect the Texas border and
Indirectly opened the way for
Isaac Stevens to further dis
tinguish himself and develop
the qualifications that were
to fit him for the post Of first
governor of the territory Of
Washington.
OF course Mexico took the posi-
ton that sending Taylor into
Texas was a hostile gesture. If
he were looking for trouble they
were ready to give it to him
and they did. Taylor's forces were
attacked by the Mexicans.
In a message to congress, May
II, 1876. Polk declared that a
state of war existed. Congress
passed a declaration of war.
In a few months we were
doing In Mexican territory
what Japan Is doing in China;
what MussOlini did In Eth
opia, and what Hitler did In
JugO-Slovakia.
Those who are shedding tears