To annex or not to annex?

Blaise Hwang & Parijaat Jain

“It is definitely not a black and white matter.”

As the US Senate held their first committee session for this term, an intensely polarised debate ensued over the annexation of Texas. As of the time of writing, the senators of the Whig party and the Democratic party are still locked in fierce dispute over the possible annexation of Texas.

Senators making their opening speeches regarding the annexation of Texas

A Slow Start

While there were various solutions raised by senators on how exactly the annexation of Texas ought to occur, it seems that the US Senate is unable to compromise on whether or not said annexation should even occur. Furthermore, many proposals from the Democrats faced a glaring lack of concreteness and clarity. Concerns were even raised about the efficiency of the Senate in general, with Senator Jabez Huntington critiquing the fact that “the annexation of Texas has been going on for … 8 long years of limbo”.

There seemed to be a lack of direction to the discussion with senators with most senators finding themselves stuck debating the issue of annexation as a whole, rather than seeking cooperation on smaller aspects of the issue and working their way up to a final conclusion. Perhaps in following sessions, there will be greater discussion about a compromise between parties in place of aggressive debates about fixed stances.

Senators & Slave States

While there was perhaps not as much discussion about the issue of Texas being a slave state and the abolishment of slavery as there should have been, there were still some valid points brought up by senators. Senator Jacob W Miller took a strong stand, proclaiming that slavery is a humanitarian affair and the annexation of Texas as a slave state would only allow for the what he called “an expansion of a moral evil”.

However, this sentiment was not shared by many other senators. It was observed that senators simply touched on the topic briefly before moving on, showing a reluctance to discuss it in depth. Additionally, there was insufficient discussion about the political imbalance caused by annexing Texas as a slave state. This resulted in a rather aimless and tokenistic discussion.

Instead, there were various attempts by senators to divert discussion towards annexation of other states as free states so as to allow the annexation of Texas to take place. However, these were taken as suggestions due to the lack of elaboration and corporality.

Worries of War

Other than its concerning moral implications, the question of Texas brings obvious political issues as well. Many senators were quick to point this out as well, with senators such as David Webster raising concerns that annexing Texas would put diplomatic ties between the United States and Mexico at risk. It is worth noting that relations between the two countries have in fact soured significantly since the initial proposal to annex Texas.

Nevertheless, for every senator who raised these valid concerns, there was an equal number of senators who protested that the possible benefits of annexing Texas rendered these concerns unimportant. “Many of our fellow Americans are in Texas”, Senator Jabez W. Huntington argued passionately, proclaiming that the US Senate’s duty to their “fellow citizens” could not be forsaken. Some senators even went so far as to scorn the idea of worrying about war at all. Senators Arthur Pendelton and Robert MT Hunter urged the Senate to “have confidence in the US’ military strength”, with Hunter further adding that the possible economic benefits were “almost unparalleled”.

Food for Thought

While it is impossible to deny the economic power that would be gained by the US should it choose to annex Texas, one wonders if these benefits are worth sacrificing our moral and diplomatic values over.

Nonetheless, the fact remains that unless the members of the US Senate are able to set a proper agenda, the issue of Texas and its annexation might not reach a conclusion at all. One does hope that rather than flitting from topic to topic, the senators in question will be able to focus debate on more specific segments, and work their way up to a final solution - a solution which, hopefully, keeps in mind the spirit of freedom and virtue that defines our great nation.