The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-10-19

which he offered ia the House oi Represents
lives on the 9sth Of February last:
81 ResolUsd That by the Constitution Of the United
States no power delegated 10 their Congress or Il
any department or departments Of their Government
to ax to this Union any foreign State the people
thereof.
Z" Resolved, That any attempt Of the Government o.
the United States by act Of Congress or by treaty
TO annex to this Union the Republic Of Texas Of
the people thereof, would be violation Of the Con
slilulion Of the United States null and void and
which the free States Of this Union and their people
ought not TO submit"
II is somewhat remarkable that the last Of
these resolutions, framed by an ex-President Of
the United States, celebrated for his accurate
knowledge Of constitutional law, as well as pro-
found learning in all branches of political sci
! ence, is nothing more nor less than a simple
! enunciation of The doctrine of qualifications
doctrine which, when promulgated in another
section Of The country. was represented as
not less absurd and ridiculous, Ihrn crimi-
nal and reasonable But mere notification,
in case like the present, would not an
swer Mr.. Adams purpose, or probably he
would be content with il, and we should, before
long, find him uiumphantly replying TO Mr..
IL
would be a difficult matter in practice for one or
more States 10 annul law annexing territory
to the Union. It's necessary, therefore, 10 pro-
coed step--and very long step--beyond the
doctine of notification; and, accordingly, this
manifesto concludes with the declaration that
the annexa,ion Of Texas 10 the Union, . efTecls
ed by any act or proceeding Of The Federal Co
vernmenl, or any of its departments, WOULD BE
IDENTICAL WITH DISSOLUTION. II would be vi
olation of our national compact, its Objects de-
signs, and the great elementary principles which
entered into It's formation, of a character so deep
and fundamental, and would be an attempt to
eternize an institution and power Of nature
so unjust in themselves, so injurious TO the inle-
rests and abhorrent TO the feelings of the peo-
pie of the free States as, in opinion, not on
ly inevitably to result in dissolution of The
Union, BUT FULLY TO JUSTIFY IT."
Here is ali open appeal TO force, in advance
Of any discussion of the proposed measure, and
in defiance of any tribunal or tribunals by which
the expedience or constitutonality OF it could
properly be decided. II Mr.. Adams and his fell
low conspirators are predetermined TO make the
annexation Of Texas a pretext for the violent
disruption Of the Union, it is quite unnecessary
for them to declare that the measure would be
unconstitutional and " violation of our national
for if that question should happen 10
be decided against them, by The will of major
ity Of the People and vote of the National Lee
gisature, their cause would be so far weakened. |
They would be safer and more consistent in re-
fusing altogether TO discuss the question of con-
or expedency.
We have little doubt, indeed, that dread of
the result of the discussion is the moiive which |
has prompted this inhammatoy add reasonable
appeal to the passions and prejudces Of 1.-The |
people of the free States of the Union" Mr. |
Adams is well aware that the annexation of
Texas is measure likely TO recommend itself
TO popular favor 10 the free States, as well as in
The South he is well aware that the measure
could not be carried except by the aid of re-
personalities of the free States he has political
sagacity enough 10 foresee that the discussion
of the measure would show that it is called for,
not only by aregard to the true interests of the.
country and durability Of the Union, but, under
present circumstances, by regard 10 national
honor and independence, threatened by foreign
interference in our domestic affairs.
Hence this incendiary appeal to the passions
Of the People, and open d, caration Of an nten-
ton 10 dissolve the Union, if the representatives
ofthe People should venture to give their sane
ton 10 a measure which, in the minds of these
gentlemen, is unconstitutional as well as mex
dress now, merely 10 show the temper and actu-
al feelings and designs of the leading and most
conspicuous opponents to- the annexation Of
Texas. We may take another opportunity of
showing that Mr.. Adams himself has peculiar
reasons for dreading that, in the field of sober
and dspassionate argument on the Texas ques-
ton, he is likely TO be worsl,d, and therefore
for making up his mind at once, that the ques-
lion must be decided by an appeal to violence.