Thoughts on the proposed annexation of Texas to the United States Page: 50 of 55
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50
ON THE PROPOSED
hemisphere; whether under the pacific policy of Penn or the
fierce and oppressive rule of Hastings, the ignorant and the feeble
possessor of the soil must yield to the braver and more competent
invader: but this inevitable course of events forms no necessary
portion of the destinies of this government-it is not our
incumbent duty to overturn the rising governments of Mexico or
Central America, and in the name of civilization and religion to
subjugate and oppress the nations who now people those beautiful
lands. That revolution may be effected silently and peaceably
without the agency of governments, without political amalgamation,
by the mere operation of material interests and commercial
relations.
This government has other and higher destinies to fulfil: it is
the hope of the world, it is the only country whose institutions
profess to be based upon justice, where no armed soldiery stifle
the expression of opinion, where no opulent aristocracy humbles
the laboring class, where property is equally diffused, the only
country where man, in any proper sense of the word, enjoys freedom;
that treasure it is ours to preserve, and it can only be preserved
by maintaining in their original purity those institutions
on the origin of which a benignant Providence smiled.
By a rigid adherence to justice, by a sacred obedience to that
instrument which we are all pledged to support inviolate, and by
a scorn and hatred of oppression, can we alone maintain those
liberties which constitute all for which this life is worth the
having.
The Texan Treaty, with its accompanying documents, are now
before the people. We now have in our hands the evidence of
the origin of this negociation, of its conduct, its alleged necessity,
and its result. More materials for reflection have rarely been
comprised in equal compass. These developments have already
excited in the public both amazement and regret, and we shall
no4 endeavor as rapidly and briefly as possible to analyze this
last hoduction of Mr. Tyler's government.
When Mr. Calhoun was called to his present situation, a general
feeling of confidence was expressed, one naturally resulting
from his admitted capacity and long experience. We shall see
how this confidence has been answered. Mr. Calhoun has placed
himself precisely in Mr. Upshur's shoes, adopted his work, repeated
his arguments, and while he cannot claim any merit of originality,
he has charged himself with the entire responsibility of
this negociation. We profoundly regret it, for it is manifest that
no other judgment can be pronounced than one of absolute and
unqualified condemnation.
The treaty bears date the 12th of April, 1844. By it the Republic
of Texas cedes to the United States all its territories, without
any boundary whatever, to be annexed to the Union as a
Territory, and hereafter to be admitted as a State.
All titles and claims to real estate valid under the laws of Texas
are confirmed.
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Sedgwick, Theodore. Thoughts on the proposed annexation of Texas to the United States, book, January 1, 1844; New-York. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth2387/m1/50/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.