The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-14
COM UNICATlO N s.
For the Union.
sHALIswE DEFEND OUR owM

When the Joint resolutions passed, offering a
,,,on with the republic Of Texas, no one doubted
,h,t ON accepting the conditions specified, the lat
ter country would become part and parcel OF
The United States. Viewed as a solemn propo-
sition from one nation to another, they were com,
hated by the opponents of annexation, who believed
his would speedily follow the adoption of the reso-
buttons. These passed; the messenger was des-
natched; the assent Of the government ana people
nf Texas followed in quick succession, The oiier
was thus made-the terms accepted lexas mas
become, thereby, United States territory: Gan u
be doubtful what duty remains TO the PRESIDENT IL
woud seem not; and yet, that there Is discussion
on this point, shows that no proposition is so clear
and decided that some disputanous persons are not
ready 10 embrace either side of the question.
The New York Courier and Enquirer, with some
If is followers employs the syllogisc, thus: our
revenue laws extend over all our own territory
,hev are not in force in Texas; therefore Texas is
foreign soil The @. L ID. thus easily obtained is
al.imporant, and supports the main argument, that,
in ordering troops into Texas, the President has
assumed "au,hority not conferred by the consttu-
non and laws;n SIN other words that he has exer-
cised the power of declaring war" Let us see.
II is asserted that, in late order from the Secre-
,,rv of the Treasury, it is admitted that our urls-
dcton or authority extends not over the soil Of
Texas Not So II is therein declared that the legis-
l,tion necessary upon the admission of a new
country is incomplete; and until Congress shall have
had time, either by regular or extra session, TO
nerfect the work. certain orders are issued for the
guidance of the revenue officers II was forclbly
1roed day or two since in the Union" that annex-
alton was gradual, not immediate" Laying aside the
consideration that the process was anomalous and
,nprecedented in our own il in general history,
il was impossible, in the very nature of things, TO
settle all the terms and details at once. Before Con-
press adjourned it was not and could not have been
known that Texas would agree to our conditions.
Alta events before she had agreed, she was clearly
foreign and we had right TO legisate for her on
any subject. Since her decision has been made
known, it is certain that sufficient time has not
elapsed for legislative action. We will endeavor to
supply the deficiency at an early day in the next
session.
Does il follow, that all further action on our part
towards the new territory is to be suspended The
President is the constitutional head Of army and
navy, and during peace has the undoubed authority
TO order regiment TO whatever part of our territory
or ship to whatever part of the world the national
interest may in his opinion, demand. In the present
instance by solemn compact, nation has eX'
changed her independence for union with us; oul
aag now waves over her soil, and the President Of
the United States has performed that most clear and
imperative duty of ordering such disposition o.
the troops under his command, that this FLAG may
be defended. Is there--can there be two sides tc
this question:
The National Intelligcncer has lately published
its views i'm an article entitled Chewing war iT
Texas" Ii says: "The two nations have to such
point mixed their faith and fate, that if Mexico
now made war upon Texas, we should be bound tc
assist her. and it would therefore be the Presidents
duty to send troops, &c. thither." more satisfac
tory reason for everything the President has done
or is expected to do, could not be given by his
warmest friends They claim that it is to "shielt
her from invasion, - that our military force is nov
ordered into Texas The Intelligencer proceeds Il
say that the step is of discretion only, "veset
in the President by necessity" and the question il
triumphantly asked, "Why has he not, with the ap
preaching contingency for several months before
his eyes, sought from the legislative power author
ity for the act" Again: the sending of troops il
called an 'ilegal act of mere discretion" Let u.
briefly examine these several propositions, and in
qttre if the Inteigencer is as Ineligible and con
sisent it generally is in advocating cause mor'
clearly right.
The Inielligencer commits itself, by declaring j
the duty of the President to send troops to Texas il
certain contingency; in anticipation OF which,
force has been actually sent. Texas is, or is mol
United States territory. If it is, what Legislation
was necessary Has not the President the right L
order troops from Maine TO Louisiana or Arkansas
if these States are threatened with invasion, with
out special act of Congress-? Is he not really thu
commander-in-chief? AT the beginning Of the Blacl
Hawk and Florida wars, did he wait for the acton
Of the legislature before he ventured to issue mil
itary orders If Texas is not our territory, what Eau
thori,y for the act" could Congress have granted
except by formally declaring war against Mexico
Does the Intelligencer mean this The proposition
can have other meaning; for, unless the Preslden
has now the right, under the law for the anneNa
ton, and the invitation of the Texas government,
is because, and only because, Texas is part o
Mexico. By seeking authority for the act, is
meant that the President should have convoket
Congress, and recommended declaration of war;
Again; though we are 'sbound to assist" Texas
our troops must, on no pretence, advance beyon'
the "seLled imits;n portion Of the territory as we
uninhabted, may not be occupied or defended, bu
the Mexicans must be allowed to take and holt
quiet possession until they choose to surrender to tn
American settler
Further, our troops may enter Texas, but mus
in no case pass the Nueces Texas claims wha
she has uniformity maintained, and what treatie
and historical documents have assigned her--to tn
Rio Bravo. Mexico disputes this claim. We ar
10 yield to her pretensions, and not set our foo
upon il But if so delicate regard is to be show
for claims, because they are advanced by Mexico
what becomes of the admission that it is the Pres
iden,'s duty to defend any part of Texass--for Mex
leo claims it ALL and in her eyes, and in those of he
defenders, if they are sincere, there exists man
ner of difference between other parts of Texas, an
that portion between the Nueces and the Rio BRAY
del Norte
The order to occupy proceeds from the President
the exact points to be occupied, is military ques
ton, and to be decided with reference to the bes
means of securing given object. Whether, there
fore, the troops exceed little, stop short of,
certain point, is question for general in the field
1t being understood that he is to offend territor
from the advance Of a hostile army. The instruc
tons of the commander may not be detailed; hi
Judgment must decide many things. He may fin
necessary, in defence, to anticipate blow. He ma
feel bound TO occupy, and if skilful soldier, will oc
cupy important strategic points, whose possesslo
by the enemy would be fatal to himself. The ex
element Of the field is not favorable TO nice calcu
laton Of boundary lines; and he would be more tina
Puritan or Quaker who, instead Of pursuing the az
gressor "into Africa" should scrupulously halt hi
columns on arriving at her acknowledged limits
This whole question of our rights and obligation
IN regard TO the young country that has accepted tn
invitation, and united her destiny with ours, is 8
clear, that would speak without reserve. Will
the question of annexation yet undecided, II
enemies had the rightto employ all legitimate mean
TO defeat II; but, after the national faith is pledged
the suggestion of any subterfuge petty evasion
by which that faith is violated forfeits the respect
and may well excite the Indignation of oil honoabl
aka natf ha l.,a