321
PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
tection---:- and when in addition to these glorious and grand results, I look still farther to the important improvements which she will be able to devise in government, and to the entire revolution which her example in free trade will effect in the commerce of other nations, emancipating it from the thralldom of tariff restrictions and placing it upon the high grounds of equitable reciprocity, all of ·which will as certainly flow from the maintainence of her present independent position as the sun courses the heavens. ·when I reflect upon these vast and momentous consequences, so fatal to liberty on the one hand and so fraught with happiness and glory on the other, I cannot regard the annexation of Texas to the American Union in any other light than as the grave of all her hopes of happiness and greatness; and if, contrary to the present aspect of affaris, the amalgamation shall ever hereafter take place, I shall feel that the blood of our ma [r] tyred heroes had been shed in vain-that we had riven the chains of Mexican despotism only to fetter our country with more indissoluble bonds, and that a young Republic just rising into high distinction- among the nations of the earth, had been swallowed up and lost like a proud bark in a devouring vortex. That the people of Texas should have been in favor of Annexatio-1, at the time their votes were given on the question, is not a matter of surprise when we consider the then existing condition of the country.-She was left after the battle of San Jacinto feeble and exhausted; without means and without credit; her settlemens broken up; her village,; desolated by ruthless invasion; and amidst all still threatened in her defenceless situation with a return of the foe and a renewal of the sad calamaties of war. Under such a state of things, no wonder that the people, harrassed and almost ruined, bleeding ·with present woulds .and apprehe [nd] ing a farther accumulation of ills, should be willing to purchase momentary security by a surren- der of their national ·Independence. Perhaps there was wisdom in the choice; but I am free to confe [ss] that even at that time, amidst the darkest period of our country's h rist l ory, I nevrr de$paired of the Republic, but with unshaken confid [e] nee in the strength of our cause, and a'full knowledge of what the [e]nergies of a free and determined people were capable of achieving, I raised my feeble voice against the sacrifice which we were abont to make, without .any reference to the difficulties of the moment, and with an eye exclusively directed to the future glory of the nation; and permanent prosperity and happiness of all. . But these imposing considerations which at one time rendered the proposed political connection seemingly desirable, have lost their validity and force; indeed they exist no longer. Our desolated plains have become green meadows and luxuriant fields. ·where the iron caT of war rolled with destroying energy, the ploughshare of the husbandman is driven in peace and safety: and instead of a sparse and suffering population, weighed down with poverty and blighted hopes we behold .a powerful and prosperous people, daily increasing- in ,,:ealth and numbers happy in their present possessions and looking forward to still highe-r and more glorious results. Invasion too, has lQst its terrors. Conscious of onr own strength. we know very well that the enemy has greater reason to apprehend
21-Llbrary.
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