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Gilder Lehrman Document Number: GLC 2765
Author: Abiel Abbot
Year: 1845
Type of document: letter
Quotation: "The annexation of Texas is a great offense against humanity"
Annotation:
In the spring of 1844, an annexation treaty with Texas failed to gain the required two-thirds majority for Senate ratification. The Texas question became the major political issue in the presidential campaign of 1844. Democratic candidate James Knox Polk (1795-1849) was a strong supporter of annexation, and his victory encouraged Tyler to try to annex Texas again. This time, Tyler submitted the measure in the form of a resolution, which required only a simple majority of both houses. Congress narrowly approved the resolution in 1845, making Texas the twenty-eighth state.
Abiel Abbot (1765-1859), a prominent northern clergyman and writer expresses his dismay at Congress's vote in favor of Texas annexation.
Full Text:
The annexation of Texas is a great offense against humanity & a monstrous transgression of the law of God. It is a violation of the constitution of the U. States. Had either of the senators of N[ew] H[ampshire] voted against the measure the resolution would not have passed. Oh, shame for N[ew] H[ampshire]. The State is not a republic; it is governed by an oligarchy.... Moral principle is divorced from politics--partyism has devoured patriotism, human rights & put conscience to sleep.
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