34,7
THE AUSTIN PAPERS
servile war-the murder of women and children, and the loss to civiliza- tion (at least for some time) of Texas. I have seen the communication you speak of in the • • • •. That news- paper seems to lean towards scruples, or party interests, or perhaps to Mex- ican influence. I do not read or look at any papers of that character. I am, however, willing to believe that they do not properly understand the ORI- GIN, PRINCIPLES and OBJECTS of the Texas war, and are acting under Mistaken views, and not from want of principle, or even the common im- pulses of justice and humanity. I must, however, say that it looks very badly for men to condemn a whole people who are struggling for self-preservation, before they understand the subject, and analyze it sufficiently to judge of its Moral as well as Political merits. Let such men take up the history of Mexican misrule in Texas, and all over Mexico; let them inquire into the present state of things in that im- portant nation; let them ascertain whether the present consolidated despot- ism which exists there, has or has not been established by revolutionary means, by force, fraud, and violence; whether the federal social compact of Mexico, to which the People of Texas bound their allegiance, is not illegally dissolved; whether the People of Texas did or did not oppose this illegal dissolution of their Government, as they were bound by their oaths to do, and whether they did not grimly adhere to THEIR duty and obligations as Mexican citizens, under the Constitution, so long as it existed. Let them read an exposition of the Texas war, made by me at Louisville, Kentucky, on 7th March last, that made in this city by W. H. Wharton, Esq. on the 26th ult. and other documents on this subject. In short, let them under- stand the question, before they attempt to approve or condemn, and I am confident they can form but ONE OPINION, which is, that the Texians are RIGHT, and that under similar circumstances all freemen ought to, and would have done as they have. An expression of opinion in Congress, or by the Executive favorable to the cquse of Texas, would settle this matter and end this war; it would be a preventive which will cost nothing, and violate no treaty or other obligation, no more than the Greek Revolution did; and it will save the expenditure of millions hereafter, and the loss of thousands of lives. It will do this, be- cause such an expression of opinion would inspire confidence, and thus open the ice-bound chests of money lenders, and enable Texas to procure funds. Men she can get in thousands., The chivalrous West, and the warm-hearted, high-souled South will furnish them; but they must be fed and provided with arms and ammunition, etc. • Pardon me for occupying so much of your time by so long a letter; my heart and soul, my all, and, as I think, the best interests of my native coun- try, and the great principles of liberty, are deeply involved in this subject.
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