Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1844-07-19


slave markc, there. can BE- eioctod by The Fedc-
raj Government only by tramplng upon the frag-
ments Of violated Constitution. | will now pro-
coed to examine the proposed means of eifccting
the permanent establishment of slavery IN Texas,
and the slave trade between slave States and
the people OF that Government. To effect these
objects the President proposes to annex Texas 10
the Union OF these States. L. for ono, deny tn.
constitutional power of this government to ANAL
gamate the political des.nies Of this people with
those of Texas or OF any other foreign govern
nont. But, before proceed with MY argument
on this point. must notice a remark which fell
from the gentleman from Alabama. Wr. Beiscr)
He said there was class of public who de-
ny the constitutional power of the Fodcral A'ov-
ernment to annex Texas to this Union. lfeThon
went say ssa.@snaaszers the views Of the
Abolitonists. and that their candidate for Presl-
dent James c. Birneyl had started this doctrine.
Now beg leave to differ with the gentleman
to the authorship of this doctrine. 1t had boen
put forth long before Mr.. Birney's letter
written. 1t was put forth by creator abolition
isl than Mr. Birney-by man who have al
ways regarded far greater man. and to
whose opinions have. from my youth up. been
taught to pay the highest respect. Cries. :'who
is it, who is it!")--He author of the first
abolition tract published IN the nitod States,
and III my opinion the best put forth. (crles,
name him, namo him) | borrowed my abo-
lition sentiments from his writings and have
cherished :hem and should continue to do so.
from respect to his memory, if from no other mo-
two. His name was THos. JEFFERSON. Ga
laugh.) And his abolition tract callod the
'.Decla ration of Independence (;roat laugh
tori But before | quote his sentiments, will
state that when he wrote, and subsequently to that
period, far as this question has boon agltatcd.
statesmen and jurists havo drawn marked dis
tinction between the acquisition of mere TER
RIToRY, OF ACRES, or SQUARE MILES of land unin-
ha bted, and tho anncXlng of foreign people,
who, having formed themselves into govern
mont. attempt to unto with those of another
ton. The ability to purchase territory without It's
inhabitants is one thing. but to annex q foreign
government--that is, the people of foreign gov
ernmcnt, with their habits. their moral poti
cal views. is another and different subject. We
must boar i'll mind that Mr.. Jefferson Presi-
dent and tho Territory of louisiana had been
purchased by treaty negotiated undor his ad-
ministration, which date letter Mr.
RIDGE awaited the Of Congress- The letter
dated the 18th of August 1903 and in it he
..be treaty mpst Of course be laid before the two
of Congress- because both important functions
ercise respecting it. They presume will thor duty
to their country in ratifng and paying for it, TO
good which would otherwise probably be again
in their power But Isappose they must then appeal to
the nation for afatoaa! article to the Constitution APP
prorng and confirming act mtiet the nation had not
previously at,orizea'' These his words He sir,
mad conceived the idea the Constitution had
thorized the purchase of foreign territory. He
scous that the purchase without constitutional
power. and suggested that amendment the Canttu
should be order But
lest his Nigh be fully and explicitly understood
he oeeds Ihe Constitution, has made pro-
rtsor for holding territory,
RATING FOREIGN NATIONS INTO OUR UNioN Here, sir, is
the doctrine the pen of whose opinions upon
the Constitution have always beon accustomed TO re-
spect
How is it with those who call themselves JEFF
fersonan Democrats! Do you acknowledge the
authority of this great apostle of domocracy!-
Or will you reject it, and take that of John Tyler
and John c. Calhoun! need not appeal to my
democratic colleagues; for the voice of the pco-
plc of Ohio has been expressed on this subject
a resolution introduced into the Senate Of
our State some six years since. adhering to this
doctrine of Jefferson and declaring that the Fcd-
eral Government has no constitutional power to
annex Texas to this Union. Not member of
the Senate, of either party, was found willing to
risk his reputation by dissenting from this con-
struction of the Constitution. Such. too. the
case in tho House of Representatives, where it
was adopted unanimously. Since that day there
| has been no change of tho Constitution; and if
my colleagues of the opposite party are now pre-
pared to reject the voice of State. and act in
opposition to the opinion of our people as it was
then expressed. hope they will come out frank
lv and say so. and let the issue be made up fa "
so that may proceed to trial before the people
at tho coming election without any cayiiling to
| the point in controversy. But trust. sir. there
will be but one voice on these questions, now
forced upon the country. | will not believe that
a single cector Of that State will SO disgrace the
..Buckeye" charaster TO estimate the Texan
holder of five slaves equal in moral worth to
four frecmcn of Ohio. Or that the Constit1-
ton of our country. and tho opinions of Mr..
Jefferson are to be disregarded in order to main
tain slavery IN Texas. or TO porpetuate the slave
trade.
Mr.. Payne. of Alabama, requested Mr. Gid
dings' permission to PROFOUND a question 70 him.
/ Mr.. Giddings. An hour is short time to make
4 speech but if the gentleman will occupy but a
short time. will allow him the opportunity to
PROFOUND his question. (Mr. Payne desired the
reporters to note what he said,) and chen stated
I that, about two years since, by the name
of Tory, negro stealer, brought wagon and
team this District; while stealing some negroes
they were arrested, and Tory made his escape
leaving his wagon and team. Subsequently ii
was SAID that member on this floor claimed the