That Texas will be the cause of a severe sectional struggle is almost certain. Either the establishment of her independence as a separate state, or her admission into the Union, would tend greatly to strengthen the South, and ensure the stability and security of Southern institutions, placing the question of slavery beyond the reach of Northern agitation; and it is a grave question for the South and one of difficult decision, whether we should prefer that Texas should be a powerful and independent slave holding state upon our borders, untrammelled by Northern connections, or that she should become a member of the Union. That either her admission, or the acknowledgment of her Independence, will be opposed by a powerful Northern party, there is no doubt. But we fear not for the result. When the question arises, we can say to the North, now make good your oft repeated pledges—make the South forever safe on the subject of Slavery. Set our minds at rest by perpetuating Slavery. The North may be blind enough to wish to refuse, but the West is becoming every day more aware of the value of its connection with this section, and our just demand will be complied with. The North may then choose between the Union with Texian Independence—with the establishment of Slavery above the reach of fanaticism—and no Union; and when they are compelled to choose, we have no fear of their abhorrence of Slavery driving them to disunion. Until then the South and South West will rally upon Texas, which is already de facto an independent state, and will never want the means to maintain her Independence, while there are rifles in our back woods.

Source:Charleston Mercury, as reprinted in TelegraphandTexas Register, January 11, 1837, 3.