Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-12-05
For The Enquire
TEXAS-TNo. Ill.

7, orr las, number. il was stated in 4 succinct
manner what was the nature Of the Union OF the
States into which Texas entered, and By which
her political existence became connected with mat
of Meylco-and how that union had been ternl-
mated The question now presents llseli, what
were the legitimate consequences resulting from
this state of things? A compact had been formed
between independent States, connecting them I'M
der one federal head-That connection was ierm-
mated By the will of portion of this community,
annhilatins The bond OF union, aud establishing
4 new form of government which had not, like
the former, any foundation in the general consent
of The parties What is then the condition OF a
party TO The old compact? Is il under any ohga-
| lion TO yield its assent TO the change which has
thus been consumma,ed! Does il owe any ale
glance to the new government, constituted with
out its assent, and in opposition to her wishess-
| These inquiries may be satisfactorily answered
by reference 10 our own Institutions and by con-
sidering them as propounded 10 ourselves. Our
national existence owes lis birth 10 circumstances
and 10 principles, Identical with those in which
the Mexican Republic originated. When the
thirteen colonies emancipaed themselves from
the dominion of England and proclaimed their
independence they each became sovereign, Tree
and independent State Each was by This act,
clothed with all the attributes OF sovereignty TO
every extent and TO every purpose. The con-
nexion with Great Britain was absolutely and en-
trely dissolved-lt was as il ii had never existed
Each was al perfect liberty 10 form for itself Sc
parate and distinct governmenl-and no other
earthly power had the right 10 interfere with The
free exercise Of this will. Each was entitled by
its own inherent powers, without locking beyond
for any additional sanction to its course, To unite
with or TO remain distinct from each and every
other Had one or more of them Judged it expo
Gient, they might, even during the pendcncy oil the
Revolutionary struggle do as all collectively did
orga nzc their own forms OF government; ana lo!n
alliances with foreign powers. Some might have
preferred 10 surrender their separate political ex-
istence, so recently asserted ard still unconsoll
dated and unconfrmed, by merging il in that oil
some European potertale. One might have gone
back to her ancient sovereign, Hoandi another
might have deemed il more in accordance with
her interests 10 yield an unqualified submission 10
France; while a third, pursuing lis own views OF
policy, might, with equal right, have recognized
the sovereignty of Spain and become part OF her
American domain.
Can this view of the matter admit OF any rea
sonable doubt In what part Of the code oil ma
tional law is i, prohibited What right would
have been volatedl The colonies were, ard
each separately was, perfectly and absolutely in
dependent This independently was consum-
male and perfect in JULY, l.16, and owes not
liuls 10 its recognition By Great Britain in the
treaty OF peace. Such has ever been the doe
trne held BY every statesman and jurist in the
Unled States. In the year 1908, the very point
came up for decision before the Supreme Court
OF the United States The language Of that high
tribunal on that occasion is clear, precise and un
cluivocal This opinion, they say, is predica,ed
upon principle which is believed 10 be undeni!
bic, that the Sererai States which compose This
Union, so far At least as regards their municipal
4 a. -,
they declared themselves independent, 10 all the
rights and powers OF sovereign States, and that
they did not derive them from concessions made
by the British King. The treaty Of peace con-
tains recognition OF their independence-nol
grant OF it,"
Upon the same principles each OF the provinces
OF Old Spain, when il cast oil the ancient sove-
reigniy and asserted its independence, became in
like manner separately and distinctly, free and
sovereign Stale Each possessed all the attributes
OF sovereignty. Each might establish such form
of Government as 10 il seemed most suitable 10
its circumstances and promised 10 be most condu
Give 10 lis happiness Each was at perfect liber-
" TO connect ITSELF under any form OF alliance
or association with any other power The same
rights Of sovereignty which gave validity 10
the act, ny which some OIL these States formed
4 union.wi.h each olhe: made comlacls, merged,
10 any eXten, they pleased their separate eXis
,ence in that oi another, or association Of Others,
would equally have entitled it righltully and eiiac
tually To establish similar connection with any
other Independent; power, and form with il Join,
and united nation upon the same or any other
terms.
There was nothing in the previous conncxion
between the separate provinces Of Spain, in the
fact OF their having been associated in their al
legiance 10 the same sovereign, or in The law Of
nations, applicable 10 this state OF circumstances,
which, When they had acheved their indepen-
dence. bound them 10 limit themselves in cstab-
fishing conedcracy with Other States, 10 each
other or among themselves. The province OF
Texas had rs perfect. absolute and in1eleasible =
right in that posture OF affairs To form Union
with these United States, or Guatemala similar
one with France, or Bucnos Ayrcs with Brazil, up
on any terms mutually acceptable 10 the parties,
as the same provinces had 10 form an association
with each other. Ii a difference exists it is as
suredy not an obvious one, and none such, il is
believed has ever been suggested from any quar-
Ter. A NORTHERN WIG.