The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-02-13
ANNEXATION OF TEXAS!
SPEECH OF MR.. C. ELLIS,
OF NEW YORK,
IN the House Of Representatives,
JANUARY rs, lS45.
CONTINUED,

lance OF this territory TO our UnonG IL was Gun
braoed 10 the cesson to US by France in 1908, and
our rights were renquished to spain BY the treaty
Of 1921 The diplomatic history OF our country re-
cords the undenlable fact that II has been claimed
own, by the pures and ablest public men Oh all
parties. Opinions have slightly varied as TO the ire
else extent Of the limits but the character oil Jener
son Madison, Monroe Adams Cay, Jackson, Van
Bureo, with Others able il not eminent as they
stands pledged before the country for the validity oil
rgals under the cession OF Louisiana and every
administration, except the last, since the treaty oil
1891, has sought, by negotiation TO Teobtsn TINS very
territory to the Rio Bravo del Norte and have more
authorized the proposal OF millions Tor lis pur-
chase. Without, inquirng what influence led TO It's
surrender, let me ask II not amazing that an ooect
but lately urged with unparalleled unanimity should
be resisted by the utmost force Of partisan hosti
tyi and that, too, by who have ranked Foremost
and whose voice was heard loudest and boldest, IN
the assertion Of our claim, and IN strenuous Efforts
10 regain the lost domain SIR, their passions have
survived their consistency II is the evaporation oil
political ambition which thus quenches the spirit oil
patriotism. How deporsble that great interests OF
our country, and our obligations to postery, should
all be forgotten IN dolatrous devotion TO men, and
reckless zeal for the victory Of party! Sir, now
that the popular will has been pronounced let me In
woke our opponents not in the spirit OF exulialon,
but OF sincere Cancellation, 10 ratify its decision.
Why hight over again the battle upon this hoor The
Senate Of the United States, the 18th Of May last,
people Of this Union ought be consulted the sub
Jeet oil the annexation Of Texas" and removing the
injunction OF secrecy solemny submitted the ques'
on for their decision. The convention of the repre-
sentatiyes Of the democracy Of the Union at Bslti-
more, on the 18th OF the same month, announced
that this was great national measure, which ought
to be effected at the earliest practicable period. he
presidential nominee Of the democracy re-afirmed
the policy laid down by the convention, while the
great leader OF the opposition, (Mr Clay backed by
his party, broke ground against the positions thus Ia
ken. Here, then, was great issue formed between
the great contendlng parties Of our country. i he
people responded TO the appeal. The cause Of an
nexation was triumphant; and here, | repeat, should
be an end Of the controversy. The mighty deDun-
Citations of Webster the reckless and remorseess ap
peaIs of Seward, the burning wrath of Adams, the
turbulence OF thousand orators, and Of thousand
presses, fell upon the public ear, and poured out
their argument their threats their violence,
In all the mighty gatherings Of the democracy through
the land, the banner Of the lone starr waved high
est and broadcast, and brightest in the breeze and
what shout did you hear, so loud, SO deep, so enhu-
slastic as that which proclaimed that Texas should
be ours that this dismembered domain should be
re-embraced within the ample folds of our blessed
Unioni
But this decision, instead of peace, brings US a
newa Of the war. The gentleman from Pennsylva-
mia, who led the debate IN opposition to the measure,
Mr.. }. X. lscERsoLL, insists that annexation
by legislation Is unconstitutional His political friends
follow In hrs wake, and regret to find that any De-
mocrat here should feel constrained to in a
view which, " sustained must forever defeat this
great IRE OF the public voice II is said the ac-
qu'stOn can be made only through the treaty making
power. SIR am surprised that since the decision
Of the people, this ground should be taken even by
the opponen OF annexation. In all the discussions
before that ultimate trbunain all the agitation Of
this measure throughout the nation who dream
ed that its consummation TO be postponed till
he liz rtv n oinritv fun
thirds Of the members OF the Senate-the number
quiste to ratfy a treaty. Who did not understand
that the Wing party in that body and in the country
were hostile to the measured And who does not
know that the Democracy cannot, in years to come,
perhaps not IN generation, obtain there the
dency necessary No! annexation by treaty is prac-
teal rejectoh-yes, sir, REJECTION The people
looked forward in their decision to the action of
power over which they have some control--the Con-
gress of the United States. Their representatives
were everywhere required to the opinions they
| entertained. In New York efforts we're not wanting
even in the Democratic ranks 10 plant the seeds of
disaecton, and secretly to the nomination of
candidates opposed TO annexation. 1t did not pre-
! vail. The people were right. But all parties had
Congress in view the body by which this question
to be settled, and not the treaty king power
Having rejected one treaty formed after mature de-
Liberation by both Republics, what an insult to Texas
would 1t not be to propose again negotiations TWAS
not the provisions OF the treaty. if Ration
take place, but it the expediency of the measure
| its political aspect, and its constiutonalty that
decided, avowedly so, the action of more than ma
! jority of that body. What administration would
dare now again, after third repulse to invite Tex,
as, thus spurned TO enter into renewed negotiation
equally liable and as likely to be rejected No. sir
| If obtain Texas at all, it now be only by
measure advanced by ourselves to which we shall
stand committed, and which may be consummated
BY her acceptance simply. Will you ask her to ex-
pose herself again to the taunts Of foreign powers -
She never will consent. Her illustrous President
in retiring from his distinguished place, now but re-
Gently declared in his vaedictoy to the nation that
Texas ought never again to ask admission to our
Union, but was bound to pursue such policy her in
terests might dctale regardless of the measure and
if the United States should propose annexation its
epance rejection should be for her own consi-
dera,on. Would honor permit her course to be
otherwise While the people of Texas and the peo-
pie of the Union both agreed, TO be driven
back upon the treaty making power, ready to resist
the public will And even did you believe an event
improbable as the acquiescence Of constitutional
ms orty of two. thirds Of the Senate, dare you haz-
ard the postponemeDt OF the measure another year.
while other powers are deeply interested, and deeply
an xous, and seeking to defeat the Union, appealing
TO the Government with the argument of special "a
vors, while ambitious asprants are appealing to the
injured feelings of the people Sir, the whole re.
sponstbty of the result rests upon curse YES
and while would ever respect my own constitution
al scrupes, would also respect that public opinion
which is the safest interpreter Of constitutional pow
err, and allow its influence in the solution Of my
doubts.
By the constitutional power of Congress TO &C
quire Texas is Denied and admit that the advocates
| apprehension are bound to show authority. To my
Apprehension it is plain. "New States,' says the
constitutions, "may be admitted into the Union by
Congress" The power is unlimited except in the
wisdom and discretion Of the legstive and executive
authority 1t is no answer to say that the trainers of
that instrument intended this provision as applicable
only TO the territory then owned by the United States
There is no restriction. But il is portion of the
history of the formation of the constitution, that
provision restricting the admission Of new States ex-
cept out Of territory then owned by the United States
was proposed in the convention and rejected there
The fact shows that no limitation was intended as to
territory. The convention, in the consummation of
their laOors, looked around them, and surveyed the
whole continent. The power TO admit Texas as a