The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-06-12
IHE TExAs QUESTION.

Nncn The Executive nfst moved 10 thc matter tne
question regarded and IS still regarded, one
Of great N.usSAL importance. The informal 200
upon which the Administration based lis spprehen-
sicns Of imminent peril to Institutions, and the
best interests Of the country 10 the even, Of any (the
leash delay in securing Contiguous territory upon
which the eyes Of commercial rival aud power
iul enemy fixed, rendered it necessary for The
President with prompiitIde and boldness, and
TO disregard sII the difficulties and perls that besei
has path
II was not a time for proerastination when
the Ministers Of the most powerful nation Of
the earth had publicly confessed srisrng IN
reference on The part of their Government with
The affairs OF oon,endng Republics continent,
and in the same breath had also stated their inten-
ton to employ every in their power" to abol
ash one of the Institutions of our Union, having lis
Foundation in the Constitution Of the United States
Not advocate Of siorsry, bot the defender Of
the Constitution, and the vindc stor of his countr,
honor, it was incumbent on the President to repel
the insulting boast Of interference with internal
and domestic affairs and that i, nigh, be done eec-
tually, II necessary TO prevent at once, Great
Britain from securing foo,hold on our Southern
borders. But aside from this interference with our
established institutions had reason 10 spprehend
serious detrmen 10 the interests Of the Northern and
Eastern sections of our country, in the injury that
might be inflicted by Great Britain on our commerce
and manufactures.
Under such circumstances, IL became the duty Of
the Executive 10 act without testation-and his
duty was faithfully discharged. 1t is true that
adverse influences were not idle. Lord Brough-
an and Earl of Verde A
from their places, in the British Parliament,
that they had abiding confidence in the dis
position ar determination Of the Senate TO reject the
treaty for the annexation Of Texas laid before that
body by The President. And their confidence as not
abused. The treaty was rejected.
IL then becomes the duty ofthe historian TO INQUIRE
INTO the Of the failure and 10 define the blame
or odlum which should attach The parties tina, con-
uibutsd 10 its contamination.
The Wing party in The Senate opposed the mea
sure at the threshold; some it may be- from con,ie-
tons Of deity others, perhsps, party grounds
Bot opposition from that quarter was open, undi..
guissd and 10 be expected.
The Democratic party divided on the subject
Mr.. Van Buren,, Col. Benton, Mr.. Wright, and many
other ofihe most powerful leaders were avowedIy Cd.
posed 10 immediate amer stion without the consent
Of MeIoo should be fir, obtained. This comprised.
OF included, ooe great division Of the party. Mr.
Calhoun, who concluded the negotiation begun b,
The lamenled UPshur) Mr.. Walker, and most Of the
Southern politicians, and a large majority Of the
Southern DemocIau, were zealously in favor Of the
treaty. Some Of It's advocates in tue South, went s.,
far as to adopt resolutions 10 their primary meeting.
favor Of dissolution Of the Uaion, provided Tera.
were not annexed
Thus situated IL was 10 be expected that the advc-
Gates Of the would unite in their efforts for
iu success, and carefully avoid any action which
might weaken their ererion,, or impair their dos
poets The Wings were willing TO stand The hazard
OF the de, on - rejection party measure The
adverse Democratic leaders were temponun No in heir
policy, and ambiguous in their profrssions SO far
from beng unquali6edly opposed 10 Annexation
they were in favor Of IL on certain conditions But
they were opposed to the Treaty before them. The
Southern Democrats were Internationally in favor Of
the Treaty before the Senate, and declared a. in
truth they we're enabled 10 do tina, Texas must be
had HOo OF nrp. e.
sooh were the attitudes assumed by the different
parties. The record should ne1t describe their coz
duct .absequen, to the signing Of the Treaty VI,
will no, here deal in een.ures We de.iqn merely
TO note down few fscis-historical facts
And first, as TO the position and action Of the Ere
cuiive fiction bad resulted in tie Cormatioo n
the Treaty bot the position Of that branch oftbe Gov
eminent, ard the operation il should receive from
the other branches and from the Peo,le Of tb;.
county, very naturally attracted the observation Of
the British Government, wide Aberdeen. and
Broughsm's remsrks,) the Government Of Mexico.
and the Government and People Of Texas. The
Wings and the leaders Of the Northern Democracy
Oociuding Western ohieisin, Mr. Benton imme
dia,ey announced their opposition 10 the Treaty and
enmity to the Executive. But this was by no mean.
decisive, for there many intelligent men in the
Wing ranks, and a large proportion Of the Democra
TIC party, even IN the North, that favored the mea
sure. And when the Southern and Western .dvo-
Gates Of The measure were reused to energetic ao-
ton, II was the belief Of dsinteresed men Of ,ots
gence, and the fear OF the opponents OF the Admin
istration, that the Executive would in few well.
be sustained and supported by clear ma iority Of IN.
People Of the United States The agitation reached
the rsmotos; bounds Of Our extensive eount,v and
the waves Of popular commoiion, in behalf of Tex.
as. bid fair to oysrwbelm all opposition TO the treaty
long before the time specified within the lmi Z oC
which the exchange of Publications was required 49,
No one supposed that the advocates of the mss.u,.
could be so obuse, so selfish or so wicked a, 60 ne
glsot the golden opportunity, i" which Provideno.
seemed TO have placed in their hands to achieve nv
an intrepid stroke Of policy, decisive victory a,
once over their foreign and domestic enemies II
would have been more than mere stroke Of polic,
20 have arsiled themselves OF the golden opportu.
n'y'-it wa'a patriotic porr. Had they rallied en-
rSss' to the support Of the Executive. at such /.
critical junc'ure as that which occurred on the ,sh