The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 21, July 1917 - April, 1918 Page: 58

The Southwestern 1listorical Quarterly

interest to recall. This is the occasion of his reception by the
Texan Congress, when he visited that country in the spring of
1837. By Wharton he was introduced in "encomiastic" terms to
the assembled officials of the new republic. The speaker briefly
reviewed his services in connection with the struggle for Texas
independence. It is not surprising that on such an occasion as
this some oratory of the old-fashioned type should have been in-
dulged in:
It was as a Senator from the State of Mississippi, it was a
representative of the feelings and wishes of that gallant people,
so many of whose sons came here to conquer or die in the cause
of Texas, that the resolution of recognition was introduced and
advocated. It was the voice of Mississippi that spoke on that
occasion, the voice of that people whose feelings in your behalf
were overflowing as their own noble river, and warm as their own
sunny clime; and whilst I acknowledge how humble were my own
poor services in this transaction, how inadequate to, the great
emergency, how unequal to my own desires, let me say to the
Congress and people of Texas, that my highest hopes and wishes
will be gratified if, whilst individual names are, as they ought
to be, forgotten, it is remembered that it was a Senator from the
State of Mississippi who first introduced the resolutions of recog-
nition, and that to the State, and not to any individual, is justly
due the honor and glory connected with that event.
Walker did not close without appealing to those present to re-
lax not their efforts in the cause of annexation"
Attitude of the Newspapers
It may be of interest to notice briefly in conclusion how the
Texan situation impressed the editors of a few representative
journals. The Woodville Republican, an anti-administration or-
gan, naturally found much in Jackson's policy to. criticize: "The
President prates too much about neutrality. We should not be
surprised if he were to oppose the annexation of Texas to the
United States." The wail of a Whig editor is descernible in the
following: "God grant that the progress of tyranny and mis-
rule commenced by our rulers here, and meekly and tamely ac-
quiesced in by the people, may not drive the small remnant of

"8Telegraph and Texas Register, June 3, 1837.