The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1844-05-08

Union; but no new State shall be erected within
the limits of any Of the present States, without
the consent Of the Legislature of such States,
as well as Of the general Legislature, leaving
out that part of the first clause which related TO
the domestic character of the territory; and this
was subsequently, revised and amend
ed, so as to make it conform in lis phraseology
TO the section as it now stands in the eonstitu-
tion These proceedings show that the propo-
sition 10 restrict the power TO admit new States
to the territory within the original limits of the
United States, was distinctly before the eonven-
tion, once adopted by ii, and finally rejected in
favor of clause making the power in this re-
spect general. Whatever differences of opinion
may exist as 10 the propriety of referring to ex-
traneous matter TO influence the construction of
the constitution where its language is explicit,
there can certainly be no objections to a resort
to such aids to test the correctness of differences,
having no other basis than supposed improbable
ties. | have not, therefore, been able to bring
my mind to any other satisfactory conclusion
than that it was the intention of the convention
TO give the power of admitting new States to
Congress, with no other limitations than those
which are specified in that instrument. The
language employed, the specifications Of certain
restrictions the adoption and subsequent exclu-
sion of that which is now referred to, together
with the subsequent and continued action of the
new government, all seem to combine to render
this Interpretation of the constitution the true
one. Propositions for anneXations can certainly
be imagined, of a character so unwise and SO
imprudent as 10 strike the minds of all with re-
pugnance But if we look over the conceded
powers of Congress, we shall also find many
others, the abuse Of which might involve, to an
equally great extent, the welneing of the repub-
lie, and against which abuse the constitution has
provided no other safeguards than the responsi-
Utilities to their constituents and to the laws Of
the land, ofthese whose sanction is necessary to
the validity of an act of Congress. Nor is it ve-
Try unreasonable 10 suppose that those who based
their government upon the great principle that
it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it.
and to institute new ones, in such forms as they
may think most likely to effect their safety and
happiness, should feel themselves secure in trust
ing to their representatives in the House, in the
Senate, and in the Executive Chair, the right to
admit new members into the confederacy, with
no other restrictions than those which they have
thought proper to specify.
1t was under this view of the constitution that
the purchase of Louisiana in 1903, only fifteen
years after the adoption of the constitution,
promising the incorporation of the ceded terrific
Iry into the Unionj and the admission as soon as
possible Of the inhabitants TO the enjoyment of all
the rights, advantages, and immuntes of citizens
Iof the United States, was ratified confirmed, and
finally executed by every branch of the federal
government, whose cooperation is required by
the constitution. II is true that Mr.. Jefferson. in
the interval between the negotiation and submis
sion of the treaty to the Senate, threw out the
Opinion that the constitution had made no provi
sion for our holding foreign territory, nor for in
cooperating foreign States into the Union The
fact of his approving the treaty, and the laws ne
cessary TO its execution, must, however, be re-
garded as conclusive proof that, upon looking
further into the matter; his opinion was changed
The attempt TO convince him of his error wa.
made by his friend, Governor Nicholas, as ap
pears by Mr.. Jefferson's letter to him; and have
little doubt that, if his letters to Breckenridge
and Nicholas had been published in his lifetime
Or his attention been in any other way directed
to their contents, he would, from his habtua
care in such matters, have avowed the change
and explained the grounds on which it was based
1t is equally true, that the acceptance of the
cesslon, as we'll as the admission of the State
became party questions, and were contested witt
IpartiZan warmth OF the vital importance O
that great acquisition 10 the safety, prosperity
and honor of the whole Union, there can, howcv
er, now be no diversity of opinion. But the
councils of the nation, in the course of time
ceased to be at all divided upon the question o
constitutional power to accept cesson of for
eign territory, with view to its ultimate admis
Son into the Union. In 1919 the Spanish treat,
| for the cession Of East and West Florida, con
tasnng the usual stipulation for ultimate incor
poration into the Union was ratified; and, upol
the call Of the names of the Senators present, i
appeared that every one voted for the ratification
! Upon the question of constitutional power, so ia
as that case went, the Senate of the Unitet
States had, therefore, become unanimous.
Certainly no remarks are necessary to sbov
that there can be no possible difference producet
in the constitutional question by the relative po
sitions of the territory comprising Louisiana, thu
Floridas, and Texas, in respect to the old Unitet
States.
/ have gone thus fully and mnutely into thi
matter, as well from a deep sense of the vast i'm
Iportanco of the question, as from sincere desir
to satisfy those of my friends who may differ fon
me on this point, and whose opinions hold il
the highest respect, that have not yielded m
assent hastily or unadvsedly to the views hav
here taken on the subject.
Having thus given you my views npon tn
constitutional question, | will, with the sam
frankness answer the remaining portion of you
inquiries, viz; the expediency of annexing Texa
to the United States, or SO soon as her assent t
such annexation may be obtained.
have already referred TO an application fc
the accomplishment of the same object that wa
made to this government by Texas, whilst | wa
! President. The history of the Texan revou
, ton, and the then condition of that republic,
well as the probable advantages 10 result to bot
8 from the proposed annexation. were placed be