Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1845-02-05
VOL. XVI


CT, II the position assumed by the advocates OF
tins MEASURE be correct, Congress has such pow
er; for the Same power which would authorize
tho addition to our Union of a province on this
continent, would furnish equal authority for the
addition of a State or an empire in Europe. We
have the Same power Ia pass Dill authorizing
the people of Great Britain to organize themselves
INTO State Government, and be admitted into
this Union that we have 10 ex,erd this privilege
to tho people of Texas. Tho doctrine that Con-
gress possesses such power IS Of modern origin.
1t has been produced by tho extreme anxiety
which exists IN portion Of the Union to acquire
possession of Texas.
The acquisition OF Louisiana and Florida arc
relied upon as presidents to Justify this measure.
1t must be recoectcd, however, that they were
acquired by the exercise of the troatv-n1akinr
power, which, by tho Constitution, is conferred
upon the President and SENATE. No statesman a.
that period was visionary enough to suppose. that
the Legislative Department of the Government
was vested with power to acquire foreign terrific
~. At tho time Of the purchase of Louisiana. IN
1909, not only tho constitutional power of
4 tho Government to acquire it by treaty
doubted by Mr.. Jefferson, the then President, but
ii was expressly denied, and the measure was on
/ ly justified from the extreme necessity of the
case, and the great importance to this country of
securing the nav CATION of the Mississippi and tho
4 important market of New Orleans. The opinions
Of Mr.. Jefferson upon this question were express
Cd in letter written by him to Mr.. Breckenridge,
after the treaty for tho purchase Of Louisiana had
boon signed Speaking of the treaty, he uses
THIS cXplici: language
"This treaty course laid before bo, Houses
because both have fun respect
ing They, preenne. to their
try in r., ,ifra and oavi,. for i q, ae ~ sec,. GOOD
which would otherwise probably be again in
power. 81, suppose they then appeal
f a, ad t,,on.I i, ,he ,o,s,,, ,nrrny,,r
confirming which the nation had previously
ihorized. The Comstutio, mas made provision
holding oregt territory s, less for Incorporating
nations INTO our Onion Tho Executive, in Selling the flu
gvF occurrence which so much advances the cool OF their
country, have done he ond the Constitution. TIE
legislature in casting behind them subtetes
and r'skng themselves like faithful servants ratfy
and pay for H. and throw themselves their country tor
dorg for ,hemuna uthorized ha, know heywould
d''o To" hemseles haa they been III s'tnat"n to do IT.
This opinion of Mr.. Jefferson. of tho unconsti-
tutonality Of that measure, is clear and explicit
and no statesman of that day coHtrovcrted its
correctness. Tho idea that we could acquire this
territory by legislative action, never sugges-
ted, never entertained.
The great importance 10 the country of Loul-
siana and Florida, and the unanimity of pu5Iic
sentiment III regard to tho necessity of their ac-
QUESTION, induced all parties waive the constitu-
tional question, and acquiesco in tho mcasure.-
II any argument III favor of tho acquisition of
foreign territory can be drawn from these prece-
dents, it cannot DO in favor of the mode of acuui-
sition proposed The annexation Of Texas
by either bill or Joint resolution of Congress,
oaton of the Constitution.
shall now. Mr.. Chairman direct NV remarks
to the question Of expectancy; and upon this
ground | find objections to the proposed annexa-
ton numerous and insuperable This measure
is urged upon Us as a means of extending "the
area Of freedom The oracle of the Hermitage has
pointed to annexation as the means of extension.
Is Texas now state of yassalage! Is she now
borne down by tho weight of Mexican oppressionl
Is she suffering under the tyranny of Santa An
ma! Is our aid invoked to relieve her from con-
dltion of servltude and extond ''thc of free
dom! why, sir. III the same breath III which
we arc called upon to extend ...he area of free
dom,' we are assured that Texas achieved her
independence In the battle of San Jacnto, and.
Since that time that she has been free from all
control Of Mexico. We are told that she is now
enjoying tho full benefit of a republican govern
mcnt under 4 constitution modelled after our own,
and that sho is fully competent to sustain her in
dependence against all the power of Mexico. If
thus be true. how can 1.-The OF freedom be
extended by annexlng her territory to ours! The
moro adding of one free State to another cannot
extend tho bounds of human freedom. If Tex
as Is independent let her continue to enjoy her in
dependence. Let her furnish to tho world, in
her own example. evidence of the advantages of
civil liberty, and republican form of govern
ment.
A strong objection to the annexation of Texas |
IN the manner proposed. is found in the relative /
position of Texas and Mexico. An acknowledg
cd state of war exists between tho two countries
on the part of Mexico for the purpose
OF rc-cstablishing her authority Texas. No
matter what may be our feelings in reference to
this contest-no matter how strong may be our
sympathies with the people of Texas-we cannot
without aviolatlon of the treaty subsisting between
our Government. Mexico interfere, either to ter
inmate the contests or to appropriate Texas to our
solves. The battle Of San Jacinto, BY which it
IS claimed that Texas rendered herself ndepen.
dent Of Mexico. was won by cltizons of the l.
nted States. who, i'll violation of the obligations
Of our Government to Mexico. went to Texas to
nd her citizens in their struggle. Many of those
who aided in defeating the Mexican army IN that