The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-05-02

ist. To hazard consequences which would be 90
dangerous 10 the prosperity and safety Of this Union
without TesoftiDg 10 the most elective to
prevent them, would be, the part Of the Federal
II Government an abandonment of the most solemn
obligation imposed by the guarantee which the States
ia adopting the CoDsu ion, entered INTO 10 protect
each other against ~haievef might endsnger thelI
safsiy, whether from without or within. Acting in
obedience 10 bis Obligation which our federal sys
TEN oil GOyernnens rests, the President directs me 10
inform you that treaty has been concluded between
the United States and Texas Tor the anne alton of
ihe'iaer TO the former as part OF its territory which
will be submitted without delay to the Senate for ls
approval This step has been taken the most eff
fectua, II not the only Of guarding against the
threatened danger and securing Their permanent
peace add welfare.
1t is well known that Texas has long desired 10 be
annexed TO this Union that her people al the time
Of The adoption Of her Constitution, expressed by an
almost unanimous vote, her desire TO that effect and
that she has ceased TO desire the most GER
tain means of promoting her safety and prosperity
The United States have heretofore declined 10 meet
her wishes, but the time has now arrived when they
can longer refuse consistently with their own Sc
curity and peace, and the sacred obligation imposed
by their constitutional compact for mutual defence
and protection. Nor they any way responsible
for the circumstances which have imposed this obi.
cation them. They had no agency in bringing
about the state Of things which has terminated la The
separation OF Texas from Mexico. II was the Spa
nish Government and Mexico herself which invited
and offered high Inducements TO citizens 10 colo
| r.
habits religion, and political opinions necessarily led
to the separation, without the interference Of the
United States in any manner whatever. 1t is true,
the United States at an early period recognised the
Independence OF Texas but, in doing So ii is well
known they had acted in conformity with an estab-
lished principle to recognise the Government DC fac
to- They had previously acted the same princi
pie IN reference to Mexico herself and the other Go
Vernments which have risen The TO mer dominions
of Spain on this continent.
They are equally without responsibility for that
state OF things, elready advered to the immediate
cause OF imposing them, in self defence the obli-
cation OF adopting the they have. They re-
manned passive, long the policy on the part of
Great Britain, which has led to its adoption had no
immediate bearing on their peace and safety. While
they conceded to Great Britain the right of adopting
whatever policy she might deem best, in reference to
The African race, within her own possessions, they,
on their part, claim the right for themselves
The policy she has adopted in reference to the por-
ton OF that race in her domibons n ay be humane
and wise but it does not follow if il prove SO with
her, that 1t would be SO in reference to the United
States and other countries, whose situation differs
from hers. But, whether it would be not, il be-
longs to each to Judge and determine for itself
With us II is question to be decided, not by the
Federal Government but by each member Of tbs
Union for ITSELF according to its views Of It's do
nestle policy, and without any right on the part of
The Federal Government to interfere in any manner
whatever. Its rights and duties limited 10 pro-
tecting, under the guarantees of the Constitution
each member of this Union, in whatever policy IL
may adopt in reference TO the portion within its re-
spective limits. A large number of the States has
decided that is neither wise nor humane TO change
the relation which has existed, from their first settle
ment, between the two races while others where
the African is less numerous have adopted the oppo-
site policy.
ltbelongs not to the Government TO question whtth-
er The former have decided wisely not and if il
did, the undersigned would not regard this as the
proper occasion to discuss the subject. He does not
however deem irrelevant to state that if The expe
Renee OF more than hall century is 10 decide, II
would be neither humane wise in the u to change
their policy. The census and other authentic docu-
mehs show that, IN all Instances IN which the States
have charged the former relation between the two
races the condii OF the African instesd Of being
improved has become worse. They have been inva-
rably sunk into vice, and paupersn accompanied by
the bodily and mental infections incident thereto
deafness, blindness, insanity and idiocy To a degrea
without example while IN all other States which
nave retained The ancient relation between them
they have improved greatly in every respeei--iu
numoer, comfort, intelligence, and morals-as tie
following facts tken from such sources will serve 10
illustrate
The number Of deaf and dumb, blind idiots. ard
insane, OF the negroes in the States that bave changed
The ancient relation between the races is one out OF
every ninety-six while in the States adhering to IT, il
is one out OF every six hundred and seventywo-hat
u.s. seven TO one I'm favor of the latter as compared
with the former
he number of whites, deaf and dumb, blind idiots
and insane, in the States that have changed tie rels
uon, Is one IN every five hundred and sixy-one be.
ing nearly SIX 10 one against the free blacks Ia the
States.
! he number OF negroes who are deaf and dumb
ond IDIOTS, and insane, paupers, and ia prison. ia tho
states that have. changed, is one out of every ono
hundred and hhy-four; twenty-five TO one agains,
Inc former, as compared with the latter
laklng the two extremes Of North and South,
ne State oil Maine, the number of negroes returned
as deal and dumb blind, insane and IDIOTS by the
census oil le4O, IS one out OF every twelve; and m
iorlda by The same return, out of ever,eeyen
huntred and hive or ninety in favor of the
IN Maine
In addition, II deserves to be arked that in Mas
sAchusets, where the change in the ancient relation
oil the TWO races was first made, (Dow than sixty
years sinoe) where the greatest zeal has been exL
tied IN their behalf and where their number il rom
parsuFeiy lew, lbu little more than 900 IN pogu.
laton OF O0O0) The condition Of frica is amo1e
Tue most wretcbed. BY the latest authentic account
thcre was one out OF every twenty one Of the bls,
population IN jails houses Of correction and one
OUT OF every thirteen was either deaf aud dumb blind
IDIOT, insane or IN prison. On the other hand Gle
census and other authentic sources of nGn,p,.t,or
tablsh the fact, that the condition of the Afrcag
race throughout all the States where the anoent
lat on be ween the two has been retained epioy, 4.
degree OF health and comfort which may well com.
pare WIN 'he iaboring population Of any country In
Chrstendom: and IL may be added thai IN M Ohio
condition, or in any other age or country has The No
gro race ever attained so high an elevation in morals
or civilization
II such be the wtetcled condition of the rac. ~
their changed relation where their number IA cor-
paraiVe lew, and whtIe much interest is man.
rested Tor their improvement, what would il b. 900
ioe os'es Whefe the Two races arc nearly equal DO
numbers, ADD where, IN consequence would nee.
sariiy spring up mutual fear, jealousy and hstr,L
between uem! II may, ia truth, be assumed a. d
maxim, 'na' TWO races differing greatly, and In.r