Richmond Palladium

HEAR MR. VAN BUREN.

Just before the last Presidential election, the different gentlemen spoken of as probable candidates for the Presidency were questioned as to their views on various questions of Public policy, and among others that of annexing Texas to the United States. The answer of Mr. Van Buren on the Texas question is explicit, direct to the point, and in it he foretold with great accuracy the consequences to result from the measure. His remarks will be read at this time with interest. His words are:

"But what, my dear sir, is the true undisguised character of the remedy for these evils which would be applied by the "immediate annexation of Texas to the United States?" It is no more or less than saying to Mexico, we feel ourselves aggrieved by the continuance of this war between you and Texas; we have an interest in seeing it terminated; we will accomplish that object by taking the disputed territory to ourselves; we will make Texas a part of the United States, so that those plans of re-conquest, which we know you are maturing, to be successful, must be made so against the power that we can bring into the contest; if the war is to be continued, as we understand to be your design, the United States are henceforth to be regarded as one of the belligerents!

"The question then recurs. If, as sensible men, we cannot avoid the conclusion that the immediate annexation of Texas would, in all human probability, draw after it a war with Mexico, can it be expedient to attempt it? Of the consequences of such a war, the character it might be made to assume, the entanglement with other nations which the position of a belligerent almost unavoidably draws after it, and the undoubted injuries which might be inflicted upon each, notwithstanding the great disparity of their respective forces, I will not say a word. God forbid that an American citizen should ever count the cost of any appeal to what is appropriately denominated the last resort of nations, whenever that resort becomes necessary either for the safety or to vindicate the honor of his country. There is, I trust, not one so base as not to regard himself, and all he has, to be forever and at all times subject to such a requisition. But would a war with Mexico brought on under such circumstances, be a contest of that character? Could we hope to stand perfectly justified in the eyes of mankind for entering into it: more especially if its commencement is to be preceded by the appropriation to our own uses of the territory, the sovereignty of which is in dispute between the two nations, one of which we are to join in the struggle? This, sir, is a matter of the gravest import, one in respect to which no American statesman or citizen can possibly be indifferent.

"After a voluntary action of our government in regard to the subject of annexation, we can have no such explanation to give. The acquisition of so valuable a territory by means which are of questionable propriety, would be a departure from those just principles upon which the Government has ever acted, and which have excited the admiration and secured the respect of the dispassionate and enlightened friends of freedom throughout the world."