Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-12-17
THE ENQUIRER.
Richmond, December IL.
uJJc Dancer IS mt net orer :"

These are the memorable words OF the great
Edmund Pendleion when he wrote his letter TO
the People, n 1900, Immediately after the election
of Mr. Jefferson. He pointed out the dangers
which then bescl the Republican Party, and so
deeply impressed was his mind with The impor-
lance Of their danger, that, Immediately after the
great victory of 1900, he preaced his letter with
these words, "The danger is no, We, over"
We repeat the words of the patriarch-and we
venture 10 tell our brethren again, 'the danger is
not ye, over" We have much to do-many dan
gers to avoid-many duties to discharge. We
must do them, or we shall give dissatisfaction to
the people We have to discharge these duties
TOO in the very face OF strong and pcrseverinS
opposition. Our dangers then are not over
"'The snake is sco,ched, but not killed" But We
have some dangers TO meet among ourselves
The Tariff That question is yet to be settled, and
We must take care, whilst we act upon high
principles, to adopt as conciliatory spirit as pos
sible Texas2 This is another question, that Is
likely to call out some diversity of sentiment
Mr.. McDutfie's resolution calls for immediate an
ne1ation, independently of The consent of Mexico.
Col Benton's bill is calculated to produce delay
perhaps defeat the measure for years. We
agree with the So New York Plebcian" that
1.-THE people have decided that Texas must be
annexed The boundary line can be left TO future
adjustment All we want is Texas-Teyas
that was once ours-lrce and independent Texas
Ii we want any more territory than that included
within the boundaries of Texas, we will ask the
assent Of Mexico But let us acquire Texas
Texas observation-disclosures upon fair and homo
rabe terms And be it understood, that by fair
and honorable terms, we do not mean the assent
OF Mexico, or any other power but that OF Texas.
We hold that the acquisition OF Texas, by fair
and honorable terms, 10 be SYNONYMOUS with its
admission, without consulting any other power
but Texas; and BY leaving the boundary for fu-
ture adjustment. And we hold that the imme-
diate importance of the settlement Of the question
is such, that the question Of its admission with
or without slavery, should be postponed also
The people have simply decided the naked que>-
ton of annexation. When any portion of Texas
acquires population sufficient TO he admitted as
State then The people Willie heard in relation to the
prohibition or the acknowledgment of the insli-
tuition Of slavery in the newly admitted State
These incidental questions have not been fully
discussed; and the American people have only
expressed an opinion upon the naked question OF
annexation, and that Immediately
"Is there single member of Congress, or an
intelligent man in the Union, that would say that
the bill of MIR. Benton is in accordance with the
views of Gov. Polk, expressed in his Texas letter!
Texas acquired immcdiatelp, and Texas acquired
by negotiating with Mexico are not SYNONYMOUS.
L -
at some far distant day when il will in al proba-
bii,y be acquired by military force. Mr.. Bentons
bill throws obstacles in the way that cannot be sur
mounted for wears Ifihs bill should pass, it would
be virtual poSponement OF this great measure
for years TO come. A second consent OF Texas,
the conditional assent of Mexico, an adjustment
of the slave question: all these are to be conditions
upon which we are TO acquire Texas Mr.. Ben
ton could not have formed bill that would give
rise TO greater variety of opinion than the one he
introduced"
Our last accounts from Washington are far
from being cheering. A correspondent writes us;
"The Texas project is doubtful, fear. in Con-
gre.s in both Houses-far behind popular senti-
ment, and too much welded 10 last sessions mis-
takes Sill action consider the policy, as well
as the duty, Of such of us as went forward then
in hope not indeed forlorn-but unpromlsinS
in the middle and Northern States"
"rhe danger is not then oycr"-Mr. Polk, too,
has to form his Cabinet-and then 10 lay his
courses. In these respects he should take the
opinions Of his friends, but decide for himself
II halt Of what we hear in the newspapers be
true about what some gentlemen have threatened
in relation 10 his Cabinet. he will have some
breakers ahead But we cannot believe the report
10 be true Itcomes from the enemies OF these gen.
,emen, and we do not believe II. MIR, Polk must
use his own discretion in calling around him
proper CaDlnei, 10 assist nun !" uiSCndi ShE "e
high duties which will devolve upon them. They
should he able men, Of the soundest Democratic
principles OF public reputation, known TO the
couniry-and with whom his personal, as well as
political relations, are Of such character as TO
permit the freest and most unreseved confidential
intercourse He must Judge for himself in these
ma,ters-and il does not become any Republican
10 lake personal exception 10 his choice, 10 ex-
press any nnkind feeling towards Col. Polk, be-
calse be may not happen to agree with them in
the composition Of his Cabinet
be productive of great prosperity TO the country,
and glory TO the President Eect-but he has some
difficulties 10 ncounter-"The danger is not yet
overland therefore it is the duty of every Re-
publican to keep COOL practise great forbearancc,
display great wisdom and cherish the nnion OF
the party. With these precautions, we may meet
every danger and finally subdue it.