Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-02-17

among the Old Thirteen which would |
have adopted aud ratified The Cons,itu
ion, if a provision 10 this effect had been
oInd In il.
II / tr 10 thu, nm Ter the Cpnfedera-
ION, " hen The desire was To unite rs
na@y Of III, British colonies aud commu.
hliies as possible in the war against the
mother 'uu,ry, mad when there was no
'eriect union. aud none expected
my bat a sort OF all ancc for common
ctuse--there Sas standing invitation
u Canada. aud even other colonies, to
Join The conledera,ed Safes. But when
he war was over. when independence
had been achieved, and a constitutional
aud national Government came TO be
set up TOT a country with defined and Fix.
ed. or ascer'aiuabo limits, as settled bv
| trca'y stipuailons, no mark or shadow
ol Il Dip sti n can he traced any where
IN the Con sti,ution or out OF it, 10 WIDEN
and expand tbs area Of the Republic, or
- Lring any breign country or people
whatever INTO the Union For tho Gov>
Icrnment oil the country, and OF The whole
country, DO h as il then stood and as il
might stand II il shou chance To be en-,
l"rIcd ia any Of the necessary and con
siitutiona modes 20 which have here.
toi"re adverled, the m, s. ample provision
VAS made by the Constitution, by tina,
WIS forecast. reaching wth clear aud
steady vision into the very depths OF the
dark and distant future, which SO much
distinguishes that sacred instrument n,
b"vc cv>ry other like structure by human
hands. But with such provision wiz
provision made, in the FIRST place, for the
temporary government oC the territorial
possessions Of the United States for the
time being, under regulations" To be
presented by Congress, according TO the
example Sc, III the memorable ordinance
OF 1887. aud finally for the admission ut
the young communities which should
grow UP there ms 'uew Safes into the
Unon with such provision, all refer.
,nce IN the Constr ull N In lands or coun =.
tries be'ong'ng. or ever 10 belong 10 the
United States, or coming within lis iu>
risdictior, ends And il seems 10 me on :
~ 100 much like u bitter and wanron
mockery o. The grave wisdom and lust
moderation OF the mn of the Constiiu.
Ton, when | hear gentlemen now talk Of
Grasplng al ether untold millions OF acre
Oh iand beyond the untold millions we all:
READY possess ; OF grasping at other vast
countries aud continents hey oni the vas
aud almost limllrss regions of country
already under the sway Of the Republic ::
aud protesting To lie able 10 fin a sane
ton i'r This restless AMI reckless spirit
oi land adventure an ! territorial argran-
d'ztment IN the opinions Of those men
anu The provisions Of their Constitution.
teierrlng once more 10 The proposition
Win which set out, beg ,eave 10 re.
mad the committee, lhlt my position is,
thai the acquisition of iCreign TERRITORY is
not 0ne Of The objects for which the Gov.
eminent was CONSTITUTED. No dircc, au>
ihority can he found in the Constitution
IN behalf OF such an obi CT. And The
very nature and struc.ure OF the Gov
ernment iorbils the iGea that snch an au
'huruy should b. found there. II is
Governme' of limited powers and oil
powers not delegated 10 II, or prohibited
10 Inc S'a'es, are expressly reserved to
me SAFES le'peG Iv.iy, o. o he people.
and II there Lc any imaginable power
winch the States and he people would
have been more likely hal any other
TO reserve 10 themselves, II would be the
very power in cues ion The Govern
mem was devised % be he lcuera head
and he national organ Of the States of
"hlch the Union saould he composed.
and O. The people. Ana he precise and
definite objects for which IT was ordained
and eslabl shed are very distinctly sci
lorh IN the preamble 10 the Constitution.
those OL"c,s wore: 10 form n nore
perfect union, establish justice, ensure
domestic tranquility, provide for tho com
mon defence. promote The general well
ARE anu secure the Blessing Of liberty
10 ourselves and our posleriIv." Moth
ing nerr, Mr.. Cha rman. aoou, enigrg
ing Tie area Of freedom! And what
man can read this preamble-these
words OF living Iigh;- and then turn 10
look through the Constitution, with an
honest expectaIieu of finding there an
authorl y 10 The Fedora, Govcrnm nj o
acquire foreign terriiory--to bring ia
foreign countries mo his Union 10
give To this Republic mis- confederation
aud unlon OF jca' ous SAFES, a wild, un
res raised, and Roman expaL sion, accor-
nlng as It's rdpaclly or ambition might
dic,a;e
Bn, Mr.. Chairman, a rre,cnce is SCI
up here that. whatever nav he thoupht
u the authority Of the xccnlive b anch
"s oi The Government over this subisci.
al icas' the legislative power Is compe-
tent to take the matter in hand. The
Constitution, IN The very careful distri
Du'wn OF powers which it makes, de
clarcs that ;he power Ito make treaties"
shall belong 10 The President and Sen
ale. PLAIN mind would never imagine
ihn' the acquisition Of fore On territory.
and much more The forming Of lerri-
iurIal and p,l teal union between the
Unei Wcs and foreign country. If!