The Writings of Sam Houston, Volume VIII

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WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1863

generous policy on the part of nations would induce her to supply through mutual intercourse with them. Half-ruined already, she will wait until some more chivalric and sagacious rival has grasped the prize, and then, amid the total ruin of her com- mercial prosperity, she will approach that decline for which the degeneracy of her statesmen has already opened the way. Shut out from the North already by restrictive tariffs, from whence must come her support if not from us? France, is already her rival, and the march of inteilect on the continent will soon leave her slow statesmen and unimitative people in the rear. The North is to-day her bitt.er foe. Their humiliation at her hands will be avenged, unless their energies are completely destroyed in this war with us. Subjugate us, and the cry from Maine to the Rocky Mountains would be for war with "perfidious Albion." As England has thus far proven true to her ancient policy; we may not look soon for its abandonment. France, more progres- sive and sagacious, not wedded to the errors of the past, with a master mind to control her destinies, has already beheld on this continent, the true field for the display of her great energies. Taking advantage of the weakness of the North, and of our absorption in this war of independence, Napoleon is determined to restore Mexico to order and to place a Bonaparte at the head of affairs. The monopoly of the trade of this continent in the hands of England, this sagacious mind regards as the key to her prosperity. Mexico Francoized, and its vast resources developed, would of itself pour into the lap of France untold wealth. The designs of Napoleon are patent to the Northern mind. Already resolutions have been introduced in the Northern Senate, demand- ing respect for the Monroe doctrine. Napoleon having identified the honor and historic fame of the French people with his success, must go onward to the "Halls of the Montezumas," or cloud a fame, which thus far has proved worthy of his dynasty. Can a mind so comprehensive fail to see the importance of securing neighbors so important and advantageous as our Confederacy? Every interest of France, as connected with the struggle in Mexico, points in this direction. Under the Union, we were never protected against her lawless population. It is our interest, that her condition should be changed and that she may be opened to our trade under peaceful auspices. Texas is more intimately connected with her, has no motive either of feeling or interest, to desire a perpetuation of her misrule and faithlessness.

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