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= VI


my habit, and repucna..; TO nay feelings, say any
hin, -. should offend The price Il any nation, II
The declarations u. udivduals could possOit have
that erect being sincerely des91s thai The CHltcd
States shouid cuitiTrts friendly relations "ith aii'
But with population c,tGa! n tali that OF tie
United States, and la5Orins under many 40 SERIOUS
disadvantages, from which We are comparative.
free Mexico could not, with propr:ey be Offended
hy the assumption that this Government may actas
il would have done had no such menace been made.
without the slightest danger Of being regarded by
the rest OF the world, having been gtItn4aied hv
threats of war from tIat Republic. 20 at least !!
should act If the direction o public affairs were IN
my hands.


The question then recurs, ii. as sensible men,
canno; avoid the conclusion that the imuiejiaf" az
ncxatioa of Texas would. III all human probability.
draw after il with Mexico, cln II be eXleGle
10 attempt IL OF Tie consequences o such a war,
the character it might be made TO assume, the en-
rangements with other nations which The position {"
a belliccrent almost upavodabiy draws after II, ana
the uniuubted injuries which might be inflicted upon
each Notwithstanding the great disparity OF their re-
spectiye forces, will not s"y word. Tod iorot
that an American citizen should ever count he cost
OF any appeal 10 what Is appropriately Gehof'i'a,cc
the last resort of nations. whenever that resort De
comes necessary either Tor the safely or To 'ihdica'e
the honor Of his country. There H. trust, not ON"
So base RS TO. TO regard himself, and all he has II
y
tion Bat would war with Mexico, bought Oh
under such circumstances, be contest OF thct cha
rnc;erl Could we hope TO stand perfectly jaStliied
in the eyes of mankind tGr entering into II; more es
prcial!y II liz commencement Is 10 De preceded pt
The appropriation to our uses OF the territory
the sovereiSnt~ of which is in dispute between two
nations one Of which We &C 10 ION IN the struggle


This sin is matter OF the very tn'port-one
IN respect 10 which no American statesman Or cIu-
zen can possibly be indifferent. We have charac-
ter among The nations o.; the earl! 10 maintain All
our public itrctonares rs we'll those who advocate
this measure as these who oppose II, however iluch
they mey differ a. TO liz effects, WILL am sure, be
equally solicous for The performance OF this hfst OF
duties. -


1t has hitherto been our pride and our boast, ,ln,
whist The lust OF power, with fraud and violence III!


its train, has led other aud differently constituted
Governments 10 aggression and conquest our move
mcnts in these respects have always been regulated
bv reason and justice. disposition TO detract from
our pretensons in this respect will, IN the nature o
! things be ALWAYS prevalent elsewhere and mas, 81
this very moment, and from special causes, assumed,
in some quarters, the most rabid character. Should
not every one then, who sincerely loves iS countr
who yeneraes It's timehunored and glorious insti-
tutions--wIo dwes with pride and delight on asso'
Citations connected ,vith our rise, progress and pre-
| sent condion--on the steady step with when we
have advanced TO our present cmnencc. III despite
of the hostility, and in contempt OF tic btcr rcviiis
of lhc enemies Ut Freedom i'll all parts o The g'oDt-
consider, aud that deeply whether We would iiol "
| the immediate Annexation OF Texas. place weapon
IN the hands OF those who now look upon Us ana oar
institutions with Jisiru-tu ard en,Ous eyes, thar
would 10 us more real, lasting injury es Na!!o"
| than the acquisition OF such territory. valuable rs
il undoubtedly is, could possibly repair Ii Is sad
and truly said, that this war between cNas aI
| Mexico has already been of too lon" DURATION We
are and must continue 10 be annoyed by lis prosec
I no and boya MD


an interest in seeing ii terminated. But can we ~
neal 10 any principle in The law o Nations, 10 whic
we practice Il scrupulous adherence, that would, un
der present circumstance. justify us IN ln'eriefln9
for its suppression III u m2nrcr that would unavoh
al.,y make us = parl. 20 lis further prosecution
Can this position he made sufficiently cleario jisnil
us in committing the peace and honor OF the country
10 lis support


In regard to the performance byds oi that duty, Sc
difficult for any Government 10 pcriorm-the ooser
vance OF an honest neutrality between pations AT wh
we can now look through our whole career, sine:
our first admission into the family of nations, not
only without blush, but with feelings OF homes
pride and satisfaction. The way was opened by
President Washington himself, under circumstance
oi the most difficult character and at no less haz
ard than that OF exposing ourselves 10 plausible, lc
unjust imputatons OF lnfdelljy 10 treaty supulu
lions. The path he rod with such unlalterips steps
and which led to such beneficial results, has hhei
10 been pursued with unvaryiug fidelity by ever!
one of his successors OF whom IT becomes me tc
speak.


II foursympnthies could induce departure from 4
policy which has much IN liz commencement u
rousccrate il, and such advantages to recommend
its continuance thew would doubtless draw us &c
The side of Texas That the happiness OF her peo
pie would be promoted bv the maintenance OF her
isdependsnce have no doubt. Few, il any, eiici Is
for the extension OF the blessings OF free Govern
ncnt in any part of the world have been made since
the establishment OF our own independence, tll@


have tailed 10 excite our earnest and sihcere wisie'
for their success. But they have never been per
mitted TO withdraw us from the iaith!ul perform
ance of our ,lntv rs a neutral nation. They were
excited und deeply, too, at the commencement o
the Frenc! Revolution; they were revived III INC
struggle othe South American States tor the estab
lisnnent of their independence; they have been pu
TO their seycres trial IN tbIs very contest Dc,"Gtl
Texas and Mexico Yet, i'll that whole period o
Tine. amidst the c0ryuisious Of Empires ana the
lnwlessness of power by which many OF lis posses
sors have been distne neuished, it has been Cardinal
point in the administration of the affairs OF this lie
public TO adhere with the strictcst ldelIfy 10 tht
rule which was laid down by Washington, enforced
BIZ Jefferson, and respected, Will uhspateo siicei
". by their successors. . ,


There is another circumstance which is we'll cal
culatcd 10 nisead US upon this subject. Many, i
not most, OF the persons 10 be affected DV e uecf
sion OF this question: were once citizens 0i me I'M
ted States, ana nave sun Their relaNes anu
amongst us. am not unaware OF The hazard u
Which expose my standing with the latter, in speak
inc thus unrescrvedly upon point so well calcuIa
ted 10 excite deep feelings. This is perhaps more
particularly applicable to that portion OF M fellow
ccitizeps, OF whom it aptly and appropriately
said bv one OF their own number that they are iht
children of the SUM- and partake oi It's warmth Yet
whether we stand fail in 'ic estimation OF ON
counuymen, it is always true wisdom, as well Us
true morality 10 hold fast TO the truth. 1t j.,
over. a consolation to know that if 10 nOuri-h en-
thusasm is one Of the effects OF a genial climate, 4
at the same time seldom fails 10 give birth TO chlsa
rous spirit which will not permit itself 10 be ouIdont
in the extent sincerity OF lis sacrifices at the shrine
OF patriotism. To preserve our national escutcheoz
untarnished, has, consequently, If reliance can bt
placed upon our public archives, been al object o
unceasing solicilude with southern statesmen. -


Nothing is either more true o7 more extensively
| known. tnan that Texas was wresed from Mexico
and her Independence established through the H.
strumentality OF citizens of the United States
Equally true is it that this was done not only
against the wishes, but in direct contravention .
the best efforts OF our Government TO prevent OH