New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-12-31
Texas in the Union.

al
Texas In the Union.
According to the forms prescribed by our Const
,u,ion. though we think in gross violation OF its
spirit, Texas has become integral portion Of the
American Union AS such we shall hencefo.th re-
gard and treat her We do not hear that any at
tempt Is to be made to test the Constiiutionaty OF
the act OF Annexation before our highest Judicial
tribunal. do we suppose il would be successful
If made The controversy is virtually at an end
that's we have reached the beginning of the end.
Annexation is carried. and virtually contaminated.
The Senator'S and Representatives of Texas may
walk into the Capitol and hang up their hats when
ever they please.
Yet our convictions remain unchanged. We can-
not doubt that our Government and People have
been guilty Of gross wrong in the series of acts
whereby Texas has been wrenched from Mexico
and added to our Union. The essential character
of the transaction is not modified by the lapse OF
years nor by the number of its convolutIons Ii the
Texan instruction and our Annexation had been
simultaneous, all who pretend to any conscience
must have felt that friendly neighSor had thereby
been robbed Of vast and fertile region most I'm
Justly. Yet the matter wears essentially the same
aspect that it would have worn if effected in ten days
instead OF ten years. Discerning world, with its
moro discerning Author, must 30 regard It. Hence
we stand ready 10 sanction and urge the ratification
Of almost any Treaty whereby Mexico shall be sat
isaed and pacifed.
Nor can we doubt that the Free States and the
cause of Human Freedom generally. have been
wickedly betrayed in this process Of Annexation
deliberately gamb!ed away for Party ascendency
and Presidential votes. The maintenance of the
cause of Liberty against the cncroachments of Slave
ry ought not to have been cast wholly on the shout
ders of the Wing party. The Northern Loco-Fo-
cos were equally bound with us, by every consider
alton of principle and duty TO take care that Free
dom should not be overreached by Slavery in the
terms of Annexation. They ought at least to have
stipulated that one.baf the territory acquired by
Annexation should be secured to Freedom. 1t is
cheat, fragrant lie, which says that all Texas was
slaveholding before, and that Annexation makes no
change in this respect. In truth, not tenth oil
that Country has ever yet been practically slave
holding, nor has Slavery ever yet been the law In
fourth of il. The actual dominion OF the Texan
Government has been confined to the North East
ern quarter of the territory claimed as Texan. From
S'>NSf'>
Eastward by land and be. a freeman. If all the
Slaves in Texas had found means of escaping TO this
city three months ago, they would have thereby be-
come Freemen, by virtue OF law, human az well as
Divine. Henceforth they are 10 be Slaves in New
York well as Texas, and can be legally reclaimed
here and driven back to the and the cottonhed,
to toll without hope of release recompcnse. This
change in the condition of thousands Of human be-
ings who will soon be milions-this closing of the
last window of Hope to suffering, pining bondmen,
has been wrought by the votes OF NEW DIRK, PENN
sYLyASIA, MAINE NEW HAMPSHIRE &c. &c
Does not this consideration add bitterness to the
CUP which must be drained by every lover of Uni
versal Freedom
The deed is done. Yet we feel that the assassi-
nation will not trammel up the consequence We
feel that the difficulty already experienced in re-
claiming fugitive Slaves in Free States will be in
creased by the circumstances attending Annexation.
Already it is just possible to reclaim fugitive in
New.York and not possible in Massachusetts. The
time when grave descons as well as keen sportsmcn
turned out with hounds and rifles to hunt down
shoot down runaway Slave in Free State has
passed away. Only In some such stronghold of
counterfeit Democracy as Southern Illinois or the
most benighted portions of Indiana is this game
louse.- considered enticins one. Here again, we
have bu, reached the beginning Of the end Let
M note what shall follow.
Toward Teaas herself we cherish no unkindness
She has not violated our Constitution she has not
,ramped on National compacts in pursuit of party
advantage Against her Slavery we shall continue
to war, so far as we consttutionally may and espe
cially against the admission Of New Slave States
formed from her territory. We hope yet 10 snatch
the fruits if the laurels of victory from the hands
of those who have SO greedily, reckessly Obtained
It But enough for the present. Texas is in the
Union. Let as see what good may come of it.
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