The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-12-16

the bill provides thai the Presdent must open the no.
gotstions When those aro entered iuto, u implies
At that the United States have not tho right TO
acquire Texas, except Epon such conditions ~ may
be agreed upon by Mexico. After negotiations have
once commenced considerable length Of time mus,
elapse before they cen bc brought 10 close whether
they should be successful or otherwise. To consent
negotiate with Mexico 10 tantamount to the sdnis-
sion that have right 10 acquire Texas Without
her consent Oace make this admission by opening
the negotiation and II would be a violation OF Ma
tionsl honor and highly discrsdsble TO our Govern
ment to dispense with that assent We have no OBJ
jeclions that Mexico should Withdraw all opposition
TO the admission Of Texas into the Union but we
do object to the views Of MIR. BentoDs b requiring
her assent 10 tho measure.
The people have decided that Texas must be
Dexed; the boundary line be left TO future ad-
juslment All we want 10 Toxas--Texas that was
once ours--ffce and independent Texas live want
any moro territory than that included within the
boundaries oiTexas, we Will ask the assentof Mexico
Hut let us acquire Texss-Texas immedistely-TeX
NJ upon fair and honorable And be II under
stood, that by fair and honorable terms, we do not
mean the assent of Mexico or any other power but
that of Texas. We hold that the acquisition Of
Texas, by fair and honorable terms L. be synony-
nous with its admission, without consulting any other
power but Texas; and by leaving the boundary for
future ad justmeDt And we ho,d that the immediate
ml lance Of the settlement Of the question such,
that the question OF us admission, with or without
slavery, should be post poned also. The people have
simply decided the naked question OF Annexation -
When any portion Of Texas acquires population
sufficient to DO admitted a State, then the people
will be heard in relation TO the prohibition or the
acknowledgment Of the institution OF slavery m tbs
newly admitted Stale Those incidental questions
have not been fully discussed; and the American
people have only expressed an opinion upon the ma
ked question of Anne xalion--and that Immediately
Is there a single member of Congress, or an intel
igent man in The Union, that would say that the bill
OF MIR. Benton Is IN accordance with the views oil
Gov. Polk, expressed in his Texas letter. Texas &C.
CURED Immediately, and Texas acquired by negotia-
ting with Mexico are not synonymous The first
gives Texas noip the second nerer nj some far
distant day when il will in all probability be acquired
by military force. Mr.. Bentons bill throws 0bsta-
Giles the way that cannot be surmounted for years
IL this bill should pass il would DO virtual postpone
ment Of this great measure for years TO come Sc
eond consent of Texas, the conditional assent of
Mexico an adjustment Of the slave question, all these
are to be conditions upon which we are to acquire
Texas. Mr.. Benton could not have formed bill
that would give rise to greater variety of opinion
than the one he introduced
We have no objection that the provision Of the
BILL in relation TO the admission Of portion Of Tex
as without and portion with slavery, should, in
all probability it will, eventually take place. But
we are opposed 10 any agitation of tAis question at
this time as such agitation will prevent speedy
tion and retard if not wholly prevent the admission
Of Texas. The soil and climate Of Texas such
that in all probability slave labor would be unprof
BILE and not desired in one portion of the territory,
while it might be desired in the other.
We have said thus much from no hostile feelings
to the Senator from Missouri and express. hope
that this bill may be rejected; and that Texas may,
as soon as practicable upon fair and honorable terms,
form part Of our Union.