Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1844-04-26
From the OHIO State Journal
Annexation Of Texas,


We have been applied to from sever
al quarler9, to publish the proceedings
OF the Legislature Of Ohio on The sub
ject Of tho annexation Of Toxins in 1893.
Hereto copy Of The resolutions adopt
ed is annexed. Never since the adop-
ilon Of the Constitution Of tho United
States has a subject Of the kind been
presented 10 the American people. The
two cases OF purchase made from Spain
had but Iills resemblance to this of
Texan annexation. These cases we're
mere purchases Of territory. The few
occupants residing thereon were sub
jects Of despoic government, with few
or no rights except those Of ownership
10 the lands which had been granted
them. ln regard to political rights
they had next TO none; and the terrific
Ty once acquired by us, il became sub
jsct TO tho laws and regulations OF our
other territory. No ono could doubt
the right OF Spain TO The territory ceded,
nor her power TO dispose of il in any
way che chose. With the exception oi
the extent Of territory thus added, the
condition OF the contracting parties re-
manned the same, Still, there ia ques'
tion that lies at the foundation Of all
these transactions which has never vet
been properly examined and decided
That IS, tho powero( our government 10
purchase foreign territory and ncorpo-
rate II into The bosom OF tho Union. Il
was The opinion Of Mr. Jefferson that
tho constitutional power was wanting,
bur his great popularity carried Tho NEE
sure In the above named casea with but
little examination.
But, The Onnexalou OF Texas isave
ny different question. The right OF Tho
government of that State is one Of pos
session only. Mexico has never by any
act Of hera divested herseIf OF that right;
nor can any olhor right except that of
force, be cIted against her The Uni
tcd States, BY bor treaty with Mexico
has acknowledged her right 10 The terri.
tory But that is not the only strong
point IN tho cnse; To make contract
right and legal, both the parties must be
legally competent to enter into 1.-THE
Quo who cedes as we'll as'the one who
receives, Texas having nothing but
forcbIe possession, our agreeing 10 ac.
cepI her INTO the Union places US exact
ty in her situation, and confers on Us Os
against Mexico no right srsl. There
is however stronger objection than
even this; Governments Of a republican
cast, so far ss regards their constitu-
tionAi and sdminSIralive powers, are
emsnatlona from the public will. They
ere instituted for the public benefit, and
bound to maintain their integrity and
preserve themselVeS. They have no
power either to dissolve themselves by
their own official acts, or ceds them
selVes 10 a foreign powoF. Whom the
people OF Texas Instituted for them.
selves constitution and form Of gov
srnment, they conferred upon tho Off
GERS who we're 10 administer it no poser
10 dissolve II. The powers were ell
conservative, How then, lot Us ask il
the Government Of Fexa' authorized 10
dissolve tho national government oI
Texas by treaty with Us; and, 10 place
OF free, sovereign, and independent ma
ion, sink into mere aPPendsgs 10 this
GoVsfnmenti
These reasons, incontruVerhbls Ss wO
think them TO DO, ere ~ applicable 10
tbs GoSstnmsnt OF the U0led Ststss
- they are to that OF Texas, II lhe
Goyernment Of thar State has not the
TiVhl 10 dissolve ilseIf, then has this
GoVsrnmsD, no right to accept it ss a
part OF this UOlOn TO msks this ilIus
IsliOa mole clear, lei We SuPPOSs IhsI