The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 50, July 1946 - April, 1947 Page: 50
582 p. : ill. (some col.), maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Southwestern Historical Quarterly
The lone star of Texas [he said], which ten years since arose amid
clouds over fields of carnage, and obscurely shone for a while, has cul-
minated, and following an inscrutable destiny has passed on and become
fixed forever in that glorious constellation which all freemen and lovers
of freedom in the world must reverence and adore-the American Union.
Blending its rays with its sister states, long may it continue to shine,
and may a gracious Heaven smile upon the consummation of the wishes
of the two republics now joined in one. May the Union be perpetual and
may it be the means of conferring benefit and blessings upon the people
of all the states, is my ardent prayer.
As he ended, the Lone Star flag was lowered, and the flag of
the United States took its place.
I. WORLD SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ANNEXATION OF TEXAS
The question of annexation of Texas by the United States
was for ten years a subject of world importance.
At home, the subject aroused bitter sectional controversy
between the North and the South. Abolitionists, who were
determined to prevent further spread of slavery, declared that
annexation would be unconstitutional and would cause the dis-
solution of the Union, intimating that it would justify the
secession of the states that had abolished slavery. Southern
states, on the other hand, declared that refusal to annex would
justify secession of the South.
In international relations, Texas was an actual or potential
bone of contention between the United States, Mexico, England,
and possibly France. Since Mexico refused to accept the Battle
of San Jacinto as final and repeatedly declared its intention to
reconquer Texas, annexation might lead to war between the
United States and Mexico. British financial interests in Mex-
ico, desire to promote abolition of slavery, and commercial aims
shaped England's policy toward Mexico and Texas and caused
it to oppose annexation by the United States.
Evidence indicates that the British government had no de-
sire at any time to make Texas a part of the empire, but it
was willing to establish a protectorate over the rising republic
and guarantee its independence to prevent its acceptance of
annexation by the United States. French policy was never
aggressive, but the government was ready to follow England's
lead in trying' to prevent annexation by the United States.
The Texans used the international situation to their advan-
tage. Sam Houston, during his two administrations, was able to
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 50, July 1946 - April, 1947, periodical, 1947; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101117/m1/66/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.