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nr. Clay on Annexation.
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Mr. Clay on Annexation.


Csnno, the Tribune give Us It's opinion Of h las. cue, sn q
~ II 4" tPlebelan.


The above requests appear, with signal becorn-
iDgness in u paper which does not publish the
brief letter on which it solicts our opinion, but
quotes part of it, surrounding II with such COM
ments as make it mean Just the opposite of what
the whole imports. Mr.. Clay mad publicly and
soennly declared himself opposed to the Annex
alton of Texas TO this country under present or
any probable circumstances; whereupon some
gentlemen write him, requesting him to reconcile
this position with his former Efforts to acquire
Texas while Secretary Of State. Mr. Clay an.
swers, showing that the circumstances are en-
tirely changed, and that he is perfectly consis-
tent in favoring Annexation then, and opposing
it now. He is asked why he once considered
Texas an appanage of Louisiana and wrongfully
surrendered by ihc Treaty of 1919, and now
regards it as irrevocably rclinqushcd, and not to
be reclaimed. This also he answers thoroughly
But all this is kept from the sight of the readers
of The Plebean, who made to believe that
Mr.. Clay has written another letter to change
his position on the Texas question.


Is this honest or even decent? A candidate
for President is annoyed with all sorts of ques-
tions about his opinions views, feelings not only
in existing circumstances but in every imaginable
contngenc If he answers frankly, it is easy
to pick paragraph here and another there which
will involve him in seeming contradictions. But
we defy any man, by fair quotation on full
comparison of his whole letters, to point out any
inconsistency in the positions of Mr.. Clay. In
his Raleigh letter of April l7th, Mr.. Clay says:


"blexico has not abandoned, but perseveres in,
the assertion OF her rights by actual force of arms
which, II suspended, are intended to be renewed
Under these circumstances if the Government of the
United States were 10 acquire Texas, II would ac-
quire along with it all the incurhbranccs which
Texas is under, and among them the actual or sus-
pended war between Mexico and Texas. OF that
consequence there cannot be- doubt. Annexation
and war with Mexico are identical. Now, for one,
certainly am not willing 20 involve this country IN
n foreign war for the object OF acquiring Texas. !
know there those who regard such Il war with
indifference and Us q trihug affair account of the
weakness of Mexico and her inability TO intct Sc
rious injury upon this country; but do not look
upon it thus lightly. | regard all wars great
lamities, to be avoided, if possible, and honorable
peace the wisest and truest policy OF tins country


al have hitherto considered the question upon the
supposton that the annexation is attempted without
the assent of Mexico If she yields her consent,
that would materially affect the foreign aspect OF
the question, ii it did not remove all foreign difficult
ties. On the assumption OF that assent, the ques-
ton would be confined 10 tho domestic considera-
tons which belong 20 II, embracing the terms and
conditions upon which annexation is proposed !
do not think that Texas ought 10 be received into
the Union as an integral part oft, in decided oppo
sition TO the wishes Of considerable and respecta
BILE portion OF the coniederacy. think it lar more
wise and important 10 compose and harmonic the
present conedeacy, as II now exists than 10 nitro
duce a new element OF discord and distraction
iuto it,"


After stating other obstacles TO Annexation,
among them the Debt of Texas, Mr.. Clay con.
cludes:


Il consider the Annexation Of Texas, at this time,
without the assent of Mexico, as measure COM
promising the national character, involving us GER
tainly in war with Mexico, probably with other TO-
reign powers, dangerous 10 the integrity of the
Unlon inexpedent in the present financial condition
Of the country aud not called for by general ex
preston OF public opinion. am, respectfully. your
Obedient servant III. CLAY"


These are the fundamental positions of Mr.
Clay. Has he since uttered one syllable adverse
TO or inconsistent with them? If SO, produce
it 1t cannot be done. Mr. Clay stands inhexi-
bly, opposed to any such Annexation IS MIR. Tyler
negotiated and MIR. Polk ardently advocated and
still advocates. He is immovably opposed 10
Annexation while Texas remains at war with
Mexico and at any time without the deliberate
assent OF that power. This obtained, he is still
opposed to it so long as any considerable portion
of the States composing the present Union, shall
resist it. That is enough. The rest will take
care of itself. On the principles laid down by
Mr.. Clay, there can be no Annexation for the
purpose or with the effect of extending, fortifyng
and perpetuatng Slavery.


But we never understood-did any man D
that Mr.. Clay's objection TO the acquisition
of tho territory of Texas per Sc All know tha,
he tried to acquire i, whlo Secretary OF State.
Under great, total change of circumstances,
he now ressts it. Texas, her virgin soil public
property, obtained at tsifling cost by thc ami.
cable cesson OF Mexico, might have been an ac
QUESTION; but Texas at war, deeply IN debt, her
lands become private property, and her acquire
ment certain to plunge US at once into foreign
strife and domestic CONFUSION, is ditiorsnt affair.
So thinks Mr.. Clay. What intelligent, consider
ate patriot can think otherwise?


Mr. Clay does not think and feel, IS we do and
must feel, on the subcc. OF the Slavery of Texas.
This was manifested in his first letter, as well as
in his last. Our dissent, and the ground of it,
shall be frankly stated. Mr.. Clay says in his let
ter last published:


al do not think that the subject of Slavery ough,
TO affect the question: one way or the other. Whcih
er Texas be independent, incorporated u the Uni
red States, do not believe il will prolong shorten
the duration of that institution IL is destined TO be-
come extinct, at some distant day, in my opinion, BY
the operation of the nevsbie laws of population IL
would be unwise 10 refuse Il permanent acquisition (
which will exist as long as the globe remains,
count OF a temporary institution"


Now We concur hesssiiyin the assumption that
Slavery is a temporary lettution, which inevitO.
ble laws are now tending to abolish. But We see
in this Texas inisui.y, from its first secret and
fraudulent inception in Tennessee and at the
White House ten years ago TO lis present tiauntno