Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-01-26

ed:-Conversing with friend, few days ago, on ih
suoect OF Commodore Jones recent coup de nan upor
eaiiioIna, we expressed this sentiment Upon which
ne toid ns ne had very interesting letter from dis
unguished mtnber Of Congress. placing the pnlicy
The annexation Of Texas to The Z s. in very striking
ana imposing poInt OF view; which. if he could chair
his consent 10 publish, lie would place ia hands
tie called on US this morning and handed the ette
from the Honorable Thomas w Gilmer, late Governor
OF Virginia. which will be found below We need no
invite attic ntion to THE letter The subject Of which
treats, and The source from which it comes, will ensure
II mat. But as it was neither written nor published
with view 10 affect any political party, we invite fol
that candid and dspassionate consideration which the
Importance of the subject fully enti,les il 20.
baltimore Republican.
| WAsnrx6roS, Jan. I0.h, 1913.
Dear Sir: iou ask if have expressed The opinion
| That Texas "culd DC annexed 10 the IT, S. answer,
yes: and tins opinion has col been adopted wlhcni
tlecu6n or without careful observation Of causes
which, believe, rapidly bringing about this result,
DO not know how far these causes have made the
same impression on others; but am persuaded that the
time IS not distant when they will be felt in all their
force The excitement which you apprehend, may
arIse but II will be temporary, and, in the end sauta
y The excitement Of prejudice or passion is TO be
deprecated under any Government, it only confirms
error and injusce But the excite ment of the mind
the popular intelligence, is always benefcia and il is
indispensable in free Governments L, leads TO nves
tigatlon ltestabshes truth, justice, and the public
good II is the surest aud safest means of guarding
against the articles Of those who afraid 10 trust their
feaw men with the privilege of thinking, have been
always wiling and ready 10 think for them.
Without having time, just now, to consider this sub
ect, III The various, nleiesiing uud comprehensive
poets, IN which il may be viewed do not hesitate 10
say that is capable If approached in proper spirit,
OF dong moro 10 eonciiiae and consolidate the
ictlng interests and preudices of Union, hnn any
question which has arisen since the foundation Of
Republic. proceed to notice, very briefly, come Of
The objections you anticipate.
am, as you know, strict Consructionst Of the
powers OF our Federal Government and, do not ad-
NIT the force of precedent establish authority
under written Constitutions The power conferred by
the Constitution over our Foreign Relations, and the
repeated acquisitions Of Territory under H. seem 10 me
TO leave tins qnes on open, of expedi-ncy. as
snch, II cannot be considered Southern local ques
lion. 1t affects, and interests every portion Of the
Union
l assume what no will deny, that, under the
jurisdiction Of the t. S. the large and unsua. fertile
territory of Texas will be rapidly peopled and that
immense accession will be made TO strength and
productive energies The settlement Of Texas under
these auspices, will open market at home for the ma.
nufacures and agricultural products Of all the non.
slaveholding States; market which, otherwise, can
only avail them under the restrictions and disadvantages
of foreign competition The means Of supply for these
States will be increased in the same manner This is
the country extending over the fertile valleys Of the
Ohio the Mississippi and the Missouri. 1t will be
more permanently valuable 10 these than all the home
markets WHICH legislation force by the artificial
means OF mpoverlshlng one interest for the purpose Of
giving bouues 10 another On the true principles Of
social and commercial intercourse It will be reciprocal
and mutually advantageous. the only interest in the
MON, which as such merely, could find reason for
opposing the measure, is the interest Of the cotton and
sugar planters Of the Southern and Southwestern States
which they could find i'm mediate equivalent, except
in the vast acquisition Of national wealth, prosperity and
harmony which would result
But you anticipate objections with regard to the sub
ect Of slavery This is, indeed, subject of extreme
delicacy but il is one, on which the annexation Of
Texas, will have the most sautary influence. Some
have thought that the proposition would endanger our
Union | am Of different opinion. believe it will
strengthen the Union. believe it will bring about a
better understanding of our relative rights and obga
tons Slavery one of those Subjects which the peo-
pie Of the saveholdng States are content 10 leave
where the Constitution Of our Union found it. They
ask for concessions to their rights guaranteed
by that nsrument-tbey are prepared 10 make none TO
prejudces, which they must cease TO respect, when,
under the gab Of civil religious Fanacism, they
become criminal. Are our countrymen OF the non.
slavehodng States disposed 10 assume that they will
not live at peace with account Of State lnsti
DEMONSTRATIONS recognized and guaranteed by po
siiive provisions Of the Constitution If this be
the it is known 10 ALL the better for all. 1t is
obvious that the Union is already dissolved, or that
it's burdens all side, its benefits the other
when such spirit is generally evinced But do no,
believe that such the disposition Of the of
Irllow citizens Of the slavehodiBg States. be.
eve that The security long enjoyed under our Con.
s,iluliop has taught them has us, 10 regard 1t in
its spirit and letter, indispensable TO our future com
mon welfare, and TO 6eprecae any revolution effected
by fraud or force which shall impair lis solemn oblga.
tons. have not been an nauenlive or indifferent ob
Of events for the last few years To recite them,
or 10 animaGvart on the want Of American feeling,
which they have sometimes disclosed, might only
add 10 prejudices already too much exasperaed.--
II should he tie fret wish of every American TO
allay an excitement which is fast rpeniDg into
crime | my belief, that there lie no mea
sure which would have happier tendency 10 re.
pudiate feelings unworthy of countrymen, so in.
compatible with the duties of fellow citizens, and
10 re establish the supremacy of compact on the
permanent foundation Of mutual rights ard mutual in
ierests the annexation Of Texas The foreign dan.
gers which threatened The infancy Of republic, nre
forgotten in the meridian of our strength. They no
longer exist r force enough to bind together. Our
present dangers home They can be aVerted
only by the agency OF powerful enough to
revive the feelings of other days, 10 Absorb The selfish
Of sections again in the enlarged
Of pride and patriotism. These sentiments are already
extinct in that bosom, which does not kindle at the
contemplation Of our countrys unexamp!ed prosperity
and grandeur, they hersldsd by the dawnng iu
ture. Nations, like individuals must live up TO their
destiny, and must act the part assigned US by our
position the globe. Our federative union, in the
spirit of IL adopiion is capable Of indefinite extension
Space and numbers will only add TO It's strength by
multiplying its blessings Ia any other spirit il would
no: have been long preserved, even by the Old lh'T
teen.
If then, am right in surprising that our countrymen
Of The slavehoding States are not disposed 10 re-
nounce their union with the slaveholding States and
il have no, erred in supposing that Ike ourselves and
all the rest OF mankind, they and do perceive the
force of that mysterious power, which binds individuals
in society, and sates in unon, by rendering conflicts
of opinion and interest the very source OF harmony,
happiness and strength, do not apprebend any evil
conse quences from The excitement which this subject
will give rise TO.
The action Of no Government, State Or Federal OF
The subject Of slavery, produce anything but mis-.
chief Its end, like its origin, is within the compass
only OF those laws which has neither the wisdom
to perceive the power 10 arrest, though 20 is The
agent in their fulfIment. When the Federal Conati-
tuition adopted slavery existed belleve) in all the
States That il does not exist in large majority
OF the original States owing less 10 their philanthropy
than their interest Slave labor is Improbable in grain
growing countries. Instances Of voluntary cmancipa