The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-12-31
DEBATE IN THE MISSOURI LEGlS-
LATURE,

LATURE,
On the adoption of resolutions instructing
COL Benton TO pote for the immediate an
neration Of I'eras.
From the Missouri Reporter.
Ma. HUoHEs, of Platte led off in spirited speech.
After dlsposng OF the general assault which had been
made upon the Democratic party in the course OF the
debate, he proceeded TO state wherein Col Benton
differed With his constituents on the Texas question,
and to show the necessity of nstruciiDg him, that
he might reflect clearly the will of the people. He
regarded the consent Of Mexico as wholly unneces-
sary, and gave brief history of the Texan Revolu-
ton, to demonstrate that the present Mexican Gov
eminent IS not, and never was, the Government de
jure de tacto of Texas. He commended with great
force for the right Of revolution and pronounced the
effort TO draw distinction between Governments de
jure and de aco repugnant TO every American or Re
publican sentiment. He said he cared not on whose
heels he trod by making the declaration that no
man could deny that lexas is both de jure and de
tacto sovereign and independent without acknowledge
ing the exploded doctrine of the divine right OF kings
The pretence that annexation will involve us IN a
war, might do to brighten old women with, but was
not an argument to be addressed to men who know
their rights and dare to maintain them. He had no
fears that head and if Mexico should choose to
throw herself between US and annexation, let her
abide the consequences. He was in favor Of the
tension Of our limits far ID circumstances would
justify the extension, and willing 10 90 to the
lsthmus IN the process OF time il gentlemen please,
TO the South pole. The farther the blessings of our
free institutions spread, the better it will be for
mankind.
Col. Benton's objections to the treaty, on the
ground that the treaty makng power cannot declare
war, cannot apply to the joint resolution now pro-
posed by the President. The boundary is left open
for settlement, and the objection upon that point can
have no force. He went into history Of Texas, to
A. A. Il = 4 r.
that Republic. He then referred to his resolutions
to show that the sixth in the series had reference
only to the fifth, and denied that they left it only to
the discretion OF our Senators TO wait one moment
for the consent OF Mexico, or 10 propose that our
Government should consult that power He declared
that the freemen of Missouri would not yield on that
point and would treat with scorn and Indignation any
of their servants who should dare 10 propose or
wait for the consent of Mexico, or to consult her
the matter. He should cease to have any respect for
the patriotism er good sense Of a member Of Con-
gress, who should hesitate upon this point after his
resolutions should be adopted. He insisted that Col
Benton could have no constitutional or honest OBJ
lection to annexation by joint resolution at The pres
eui session.
As to the division of the territory of Texas into
slsvehoding and non-saveholding States, he thought
our Senators should not be tied up TO be unable
to yield, if that COMPROMISE became " indspensably
necessary" to procure the support Of the North to
this measure. The preference of Missouri that
question expressed In his resolutions and our
Senators would be bound to obtain annexation with.
out that compromise, if it IN their power; If it
were not, then they could yield much in that
pee, as might be indisPensaby necessary and no
more
| He said it was his duty to speak the wishes Of
| Platte county here and TO say plainly wherein he
differed from Col Benton and what his constituents
| desired Col B. 10 do. He knew some persons were
afraid TO speak out plainly, lest they should offend
those in high places but freemen II was their duy
| TO make known their sentiments now, that they
could not be misunderstood. For himself he would
surrender his freedom Of thought 10 any one,
aid sileDcing the popular voice this great ques-
ton. He believed Col b. would obey instructions,
and passed high euogium on his past services to
the country. lie bad been assured, good authori-
ty, that he would obey, or he Mr. II would never
have voted for his e-elec,on to the United States
Senate. Should he dare to refuse obedience, he
would be crushed beneath the weight of popular in
dignstion. lie and those who shall attempt TO uphold
BIN in such course, will seal their political damna
| ton forever Should he venture TO war on Colonel
Folks administration, the Democracy of Missouri
will war him. But he did not believe that Col b
| would crafty his enemies 80 much as to take such
suicidal course
| MIR. Hughes then proceeded to define wha, he con-
| sdered Democracy TO be, and to dwell upon its gene
raj and practical effects upon public prosperity and
happiness. As he introduced the resolutions
have gwen his positions at length, than those
Of other speakers IN order that the true meaning and
force Of them may be generally understood.
MIR PrRRrMAx (Whlg) followed. lie contended
that Texas was free and Independent, and that she
has just claim to all the territory in her possession
| that santa Anna never the ruler of Texas
and has right TO extend his Government over her
people, but that as the Government Of Texas 10 Re-
publican, It cannot transfer her sovereignty TO the
| United States. He denied that Texas could ceds
herself away by treaty, because two competent pow
4 r.tx
the eontrsct-and that If Texa. should be merged in
this country, there would be but party left to
comply with, or exact the conditions Of the treaty
lie replied TO Mr. Coalter's rema k, about sustain ng
the balance OF power 10 this Union betw zen slave
holding and non-slsycho4dbg States, and urged that
the compromise on tina, subject, proposed by Colonel
Benton, was necessary to secure annexation. He
| then insisted that the conditions on which Texas
must come into the Union, had been laid down by
Col. h. and others, and must be first complied With
| he remainder OF his speech was upon general poll
| tics, National Bank, distribution, &c.
Mr.. GAssLE Whg) took the door neIt He re-
lerred TO the opposition made, BY to hi. re,ou
tons, because they were introduced by a Wing and
showed that they emanated from Col Benton and
were ooNhed in Col. Ben,ons language They pro
pose one mode of annexation, and state the obisc-
lions to the mode favored by President Tyler. lie
could sea no inconsseDoy 70 agreeing with Col b.
ant-Teras notions and voting against his re-elec-
ton. The Wings agree with him on cue subject but
that one point does not outweigh all Of his hsresi-s
lie Mr.. G. did not sdopt the doctrine. laid down IN
bs smendmnn's, because they Col. Benon's
but bee suse they were true. lie always approved
what right, and rejected what was wrong no
matter from what quarter It might come. lie said
he should not follow those who had preceded him.
nts The regions OF poetry, nosc, vituperstoo, &c,
but eonAcs husslf strictly 10 Ne mode Of annex alton
propoaed In hrs amendments, which were laid bsfors
The Houss for IL soss'dsysoo, without having been