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appointment and foreign interference, it ought il
nv opinion, to be sanctioned /; and if an end !:
ever to be made of predatory and uncivilized ma


rauding, or of intrigue and entang ement by Other
foreign powers, it would seem wise, as we'll as
humane, to do-it forthwith; or, in the language
of him who has so long lived il the hearts of our
people, at the "present golden moment"


But am aware that several objections have
been urged against the annexation of Texas; and
as some of them come from gentlemen long and
highly appreciated, and with whom difference


of opinion on SO Interesting a topic is much re.
GREETED, it is due1o Hem and the occasion that


should explain my views generally on such Of
these objections as seem to be most prominent.


1. The annexation is opposed by some, on the


ground that it will make our territory too large;
but experience has evinced that a representative


0public can, with convenience and efficiency, ex-


tend over limits far wider than from the ST Croix


to the Rio del Norte. Indeed, by the aid of rail


roads and steam, the Union, with Texas included,


will be far accessible in all its parts, either


for business government, than it was at the re-


volution with only thirteen States, and those all


situated onthe harrow belt of the eastern decliVity
of the Alleghanles. And this objection, if tena-


bic, should have been urged, and prevailed, be-


fore we purchased either Louisiana or the Flori,


das. ES.ss ;s5s.. ~ ..as.


2. The annexation hasabeen opposed, as inclin-


ing the balance of political power in our system
too much in favor of the West and the South


But the same course of reasoning would strip US
of all our great domain on the Pacific ocean-a
country never to be surrendered while an Ameri-
can whaler visits its waters, or American emf
grant chooses to fish, hunt, or plant on the banks
of the Columbia. 1t wouldalso, from like appre-
tensions as to the balance of power in the North,
prevent any future peaceable annexation of the
Canadas, so ardently contemplated by our fathers
from the commencement of the revolution; and it
would heretofore have defeated the purchase. of
the Floridas by Mr. Monroe, and of Louisiana


including Texas, by Mr. Jefferson; and would
not only cast censure on them and their venera-
bic coadjutors, for thus deranging the balance of
power then, but would add reproach on Messrs
Adams and Clay for attempting to regain Texas
in 1925 and 1927, and on General Jackson and
Mr.: Yam Buren for like attempt in 1929; and,
whatis stilf worse, by this course of reasoning,
for seeking, as done in 1885 by Gen. Jack
som and Mr. Forsyth. to obtain vast tract of adj
ditionaf county still farther south and west from
the forty-sccond degree of latitude to the thirty
seventh, and stretching towards the setting sun
over that degree across the entire continent But,
in truth, the durable interests of the whole Union
are believed to have been looked to on those oc-
casions now; and the theoretical balance Of
power, if adverted to at ALL can never endanger
the practical working of our system, which will
always be most attractive, strongest, and most
hourishing, where freest-uness liberty and pro-
gress mere phantoms of the imaginationsand
will always produce greatest harmony when least
influenced by any sectional ealousies or local pre-
judicss.


g. Fhe annexationzhas been deprecated BY some
as likely tovcause dsunion, when its Legitimate OBJ
ject is to secure the great interests and Sompro-
misses of the Union and when such must be its
and perpetuate that Union, | trust,
forever, uAlessthwurted by disregard of plight
ed faith and by fdnatical violations of those So
lemn compromises.


a. 1t is opposed by others on account of the
badness of some Of the reaSens assigned for it; as


if good measure ought to be rejected because
any one may please TO. urge some weak reasons
FOR it. By others. because few of its advocates
are suspected of being interested in the question
as if that could impair the usefulness of the an
lexation itself, or was not always an incident to
almost every question of great magnitude And
oy others still, because the auspices under which
he measure is now proposed are disIiked as if
he necessity or value of gift or purchase de-
pended upon the character of the agents en-
1loyed


s 1t is resisted by many for the reason that


slavery exists in Texas. That is an institution, to |
)e SiiP, WHICH RlOSL people, UOIu di lH0 1NOIIi,
ire, like myself averse to- But those who re-
pect the constitution and the Union remember !
hat it is an institution which our parent country,
,efore the revolution, forced upon both the North |
nd the South which, after being more deeply |
nterwoven through the social and political sys- |
en- of the latter, the rest Of the States did not
,csitate TO confederate with her in fighting the
,attps of independence nor TO counsel with her
lerors patriots, and statesmen, in forming the
constitution; nor to associate with them in carry
ng out its great destinies; nor in guarantyng
heir property and rights in common with the
est. then and during the half century since, in
race and war, andain veal or wo.


However deprecated by many of us, we know
hat none can legally abolish the institution but
hose who possess it; and FIAT while this has al
eady been done, since the revolution, by nearly
laf the old States, it may continue to be done, by
Texas herself as well as others. sooner or later,
vhen their sense of duty and safety may permit it,
f left TRANQUILITY TO the exercise of their own
lights. What effect the annexation of Texas will
ealIy have on this measure, seems to be doubted
" some of it's opponents among whom the most


istinouished think it Svill add more free than
lave States. But however that may be, the friends
# annexation believe that while rejection of it
must leave the institution Of slavery just as it is,
without mitigation, the acceptance of it cannot
id to the whole number>o slaves now in Texas
md the United States together; and, if dispensing
hot nunber over a wider space will gradually |