Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/384

 national wealth. The fleets of belligerents would be supplied with meats from our natural pastures, and the sale of our superabundant herds would, when added to the sale of our other commodities, give us more wealth than any other nation in comparison to our population. Apart from this, if we should not be annexed, all the European nations will introduce with alacrity vast numbers of emigrants, because it will enable them to extend their commerce. Those who migrate from the different nations to Texas will retain predilections for many years in favor of the partialities which nativity carries with it in after-life. That France, as well as England, will pour into our country vast numbers of industrious citizens, there can be no doubt. Belgium, Holland, other countries will not be remiss in their duty, despite consequences. All these countries have an excess of population, and the common policy and economy of nations is such that they will have a care to the location of those who leave their native countries. Never, to my apprehension, have all nations evinced the same disposition to commerce as that which is now exercised and entertained. Hence no time has ever been so propitious for the rebuilding of a nation possessed of our advantages as that which Texas at this moment enjoys, in the event that the measure of annexation should fail. Its failure can only result from selfishness on the part of the Government or Congress of the United States. If faction or a regard to present party advantages should defeat the measure, you may depend upon one thing, and that is, that the glory of the United States has already calamities. A rival power will soon be built up, and the Pacific, as well as the Atlantic, will be component parts of Texas in thirty years from this date. The Oregon region, in geographical affinity, will attach to Texas. By this coalition or union the barrier of the Rocky Mountains will be dispensed with or obviated. England and France, in anticipation of such an event, would not be so tenacious on the subject of Oregon as if the United States were to be the safe possessor of it. When such an event would take place, or in anticipation of such a result, all the powers which either envy or fear the United States, would use all reasonable exertions to build us up as the only rival power which can ever exist on this continent to that of the United States. Considering our origin, these speculations may seem chimerical, and that such things can not take place. A common origin has its influence so long as a common interest exists, and no longer. Sentiment tells well in love matters, or in a speech, but in the affairs and transactions of nations there is no sentiment or feeling but one, and that is essentially selfish. I regard nations as corporations on a large and sometimes magnificent scale, but no more than this. Consequently they have no soul, and recognize no mentor but interest. Texas, once set apart and rejected by the United States, would feel that she was of humble origin, and if a prospect was once presented to her of becoming a rival to the United States, it would only stimulate her to feelings of emulation, and it would be her least consideration that by her growth to power she would overcome the humility ol her early condition. So the very causes which now operate with Texas and incline her to annexation may at some future period be the cause of most active and powerful animosity between the two countries. This, too, we must look at, for it will be the case whenever difficulties arise between the United States and Texas; if they are to remain two distinct nations, the powers of Europe will not look upon our affairs with indifference, and no matter what their professions may be of neutrality, they can always find means of evasion. The union of