ELDORADO 221 



fend us would be idle and absurd. To this extent I 

 fully agree with my distinguished colleagues. It is true 

 that we possess a noble country, every way calculated 

 from position and resources to becoming great and 

 powerful. For that ver\' reason, I would not have 

 her a mere dependence upon a foreign monarchy nat- 

 urally alien, or at least indififerent to our interests and 

 our welfare. Even could we tolerate the idea of 

 dependence ought we to go to distant Europe for a 

 master? What possible sympathy could exist between 

 us and a nation separated from us by two vast oceans ? 

 But waiving this insuperable objection, how could we 

 endure to come under the dominion of a monarch? 

 We are Republicans. Badly governed and badly situ- 

 ated as we are, still we are all in sentiment Republi- 

 cans. So far as we are governed at all we at least pro- 

 fess to be self -governed. Who, then, that possesses 

 true patriotism will consent to subject himself and 

 children to the caprices of a foreign king and his of- 

 ficial minions? Our position is so remote either by 

 land or sea that we are in no danger from a Mexican 

 invasion. Why. then, should we hesitate still to as- 

 sert our independence? We have indeed taken the 

 first step by electing our own Governor, but another 

 remains to be taken. I will mention it plainly and 

 distinctly : it is annexation to the United States. In 

 contemplating this consummation of our destiny. T feel 

 nothing but pleasure and I ask you to share it. Dis- 

 card old prejudice, disregard old customs, and pre- 

 I)are for the glorious change which awaits our country. 

 Why. should be shrink from incorporating ourselves 

 with the happiest and freest nation in the world des- 



