Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/383

 United States, so far as they are to look for the sale of their fabrics in the southern section of this continent, and a forfeiture of our sympathies. Mexico in a short time, by the influence which Texas can command, will yield everything to the superior energy, activity, and the employment of well-directed capital, which will flow to us from Europe, and render us the beneficiaries of a vast, important, and extensive trade. All our forts will soon become great commercial marts; and places now scarcely noted upon our maps, will be built up and grow into splendid cities. These are but few advantages which are noticed; but these, to the statesmen of the United States, ought to cause ceaseless efforts to secure so rich a prize. The present movement is the only one the United States will ever enjoy to annex Texas. I am intensely solicitous to see the matter consummated and my country at rest. 'Tis true that we are not to be great gainers when compared to the United States in what they derive. Had I been at Washington, 1 would most certainly have not made a treaty so indefinite as to individual rights which may arise and be involved in the subject of annexation. We surrender everything, and in reality we get nothing only protection, and that at the hazard of being invaded or annoyed by Mexico before any aid could be rendered by the United States. I hope that the precaution taken will be such as to deter Mexico from any attempt upon us. The fact that the United States is one of the rival powers of the world, will render that nation more liable to war than we would be as a minor power.

There are a thousand reasons which I could urge why Texas would be more secure from troubles if she could have present peace, which she can obtain readily if she is not annexed. When we once become a part and parcel of the United States we are subject to all their vicissitudes. Their commercial relations are extensive, which subjects them to jealousy, and the rivalry of other powers who will seek to overreach them and cramp them by restriction and annoy them by interferences. They will not be willing to submit to these things, and the consequence will be war. Nor will this danger arise from any one power of the earth, but from various nations. The wealth of European nations depends more upon their labor than the people of this continent. We look to the soil, they to their manufacturing capacity, for the means of life as well as wealth. These facts are not all, and indeed but a very partial notice of important affairs. The political relations of the State will increase and become more complicated and expensive with their increase of power. Not only this, but they too will grow arrogant, and it will not be a half century, if the Union should last, until they will feel a strong inclination to possess by force that which they at the present would be willing to make a subject of negotiation and treaty. In all contingencies, if we are annexed, we have to bear a part of their troubles, no matter of what character. Alone and independent, Texas would be enabled to stand aloof from all matters unconnected with her existence as a nation; while the causes of war to the United States would be a source of benefit and prosperity to her. War could grow up between no power and the United States, but what Texas would be the beneficiary. The values of our staples would be enhanced, and that arising from influences of war upon the United States. Texas, enjoying as she does a situation on the Gulf and a neutral attitude, would derive the greatest possible benefits. Calamity to other nations would be wealth and power to Texas. The encouragement given to us by the demand for our staples would increase our individual as well as our