Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1844-05-14

tIOu' Aneso ptOceeulDga SnOW tHat VI
proposition 10 restrict The power TO ad
nit new States 10 the territory With
the original limits Of the United States
was distinctly before the convention, ono
adopted by it, and finally rejected in "a
VOr Of clause making power in this re
spect general Whatever differences o
opinion may exist as 10 the prOprieiy 0
referring TO extraneous matter TO indu
ence the construction of the constitution
where its language is explicit, there cal
certainly be nc objections to a resort t
such aids 10 test sthe correctness Of in
ferences, havBgTnO other basis than sup
posed imprObabilhies. have not, there
fore, been ableto bring my mind TO any
ether satisfactory conclusion Than that il
was The intention Of convention 10
give the power'Of admitting new states
10 Congress, with no other Limitations
than those which are specified in that in
strument. The language employed, the
sPecificationssof certain restrictions, the
adoption and Subsequent exclusion OF
that which is how referred 10, together
with the subsequent and continued ac-
tion of the rev government, all seem 10
combine TO render this Interpretation Of
the constitution The true one. PROPOSE.
lions for annexation can certainly be i'm
aglned Of character so unwise and i'm.
provident as to'strike the minds Of all
with repugnance. 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 well being Of the republic and
against hich abuse the constitution has
provided no other safeguards than the
responsibilities to their constituents and
TO the laws of the land, of those whose
sanction is necessary 10 the validity of
al act of Congress. Nor is il very un
reasonable to suppose that those who bas
ed their government upon the great prin-
ciple that il is the right of the people TO
alter or abolish it, and 10 institute new
ones, in such forms as they may think
most likely to effect their safety aUd hap.
Piness, should feel themselves secure in
trusting to their representatives. in the
House, in the Senate, and in the sxecu
tive chair, the right TO admit new mem.
bers into the confederacv, with no 9th.
er restrictions than those which they have
thought proper to specify.
II was under this view Of the cOnstitu.
tiOn that thepurchase ofLouisiana inlS03
only fifteen years after the adoption of
the constitution, promising the incorpo-
ration OF The ceded territory into the Un,
ion, and The admission, as soon as posi-.
BILE, Of the inhabitants 10 the enjoyment
Of all the rights, advantages, and ,immu-
mites Of citizens Of the United States
was, ratified, confirmed, and fnolly exc.
cured by every branch Of the fede'al gov
eminent whose corporation is required
by the constitution. II is true that Mr..
Jefferson in The interval between the ne
gOtiatOn and submission of tho treaty 10
Senate, threw ont the opinion that the
had made no provision for
1ur holding foreign territory, nor for inc
foreign states into the Un
on The fact of his approving the trea'
y, and the laws necessary to its execu
ion, must, however, be regarded as con-
elusive proof that. upon looking further
MO the matter, his opinion was changed.
The attempt to convince HIN Of his er.
or was made by his friend, Governor
Nicholas, as appears by Mr.. Jeferson's
etler to him; and | have little doubt that,
{ his letters TO Breckenridge aud NichO.
as had been published in his lifetime, or
lis attention been in any other way d.
ected to its contents, ne would, from
lis habnua care in such matters, have
vowed the change, and explained the
rounds on which il was based. Itis
quaIly true that the acceptance ol the
essioR, as we'll as the admission Of the
'tate became party questions, and we're
contested with partisan warmth. OF the
ital Importance Of that great acquisition
o the safety, prosperity, aud GhonOr of
he whole Union, there can, however, ,now
70 no diversity Of opinion. But the coun,
ills OF the nation, in the course of time
eased to be at all divided upon the
uestioh constitutional power to Ac-
ept session Of foreign territory, with
view TO its ultimate admission into the
Union. In 1919 the Spanish treaty for
he cession OF East and West Florida,
the usual stipulation for uIli>
nate incorporation into the Union, was
alifed; and, upon tie call Of the
Iames Of the senators present, it spI
'eared that every one voted for the rat.
ficsliOn. Upon the question of cOnsti.
ional power, so far as that case went,
he Senate Of the UnitedStstes had there
ore become unanimous.
Certainly no remarks are necessary to
how that there can be no possible differ
,nce produced IN the constitutional ques1
ion by the relative positions Ofihe terri"
ory comprising Louisiana, the Flori'
las, and Texas, in respect TO the old Uni
ed States.
I have gone thus fully and minutely !