Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-04-08
SPEECH OF CHEssELDEN ELLIS, ESQ.
OF Ncw YnnK
on THE hNsExaTIoN OF TEXAS.

Deferred in The H. Of Representatives, Jan 25, As.
Mir Chairman: No question has come before
the Congress OF the Union, during the present se-
neralion, OF 50 much importance 10 the welfare OF
our country, as The acquisition OF Texas. It is
altogether national in its character and, thoug'.
the blessings lis consumma,ion will bring with il
NAV be greater in some regions OF the United
States than in others, vet, Sir, II can never be
dwarted down 10 the humble stature OF a mere
sectional measure. IL is a movemen, which con-
Germs the expansions ol our institutions OYER a
magnificent domain filling up the grand outline
Of territory intended for the possession and de>-
tiny OF the American race-an outline drawn BIZ
the hand Of the Creator himself, in deserts and
mountains around the Southwestern border Of
this continent.
Sir, momeniary glance al the map Of North
America demonstrates The nationality Of this
question. Texas skirts The Gulf OF Mexico hun-
dreds of miles spreads into the interior along The
boundaries of our own country thousands Of
miles more, stretching North 10 a latitude beyond
the queen city Of the Mississippi, rcireatng far
in the rear OF the Indian nations collected upon
our Western borders, and extending 10 The verge
OF the Southern pass Of the Rocky Mountains
that mass which opens 10 us The distant domain
of Oregon and the shores Of the Pacific II en-
braces an area quintuple in size the Empire Stale
OF The Union. II is washed, and dfainci, and
ie.tilized by the great streams which pour their
tributary waters into the bosom OF the 'mehy
father of floods" Rich and prolific, is The lar
puage OF geography, in the productions of the
most fertile soil of all chimes, from the frozen
North TO the burning South, and in tropical sta
ples surprising the most favored regions OF the
earth. Sir. are we not all OF us-:he North The
South, the East, and The West-equally and TO-
gether Interested in advancing our noble race
our social and political system, our laws, our in
s,itu,ions over this territory not only Thus con-
terminous with our own but now dismem-
bered portion of that great valley which reaches
from the lakes and the Alegnanies 10 the Rocky
Mountains and The deserts of Mexico Ia
valley embracing an area of one million and
a half of square miles, and containing an ex-
tent of navigable rivers unsurpassed in quad
ruple the same surface on the globe, proclaiming
in characters impressed in creation itself that
here. upon this continent CT North America is
the destined seat OF power upon earth. And why
withhold a participation in our blessings, from
dence seeking The benefits OF union with us
Sir the Constitution itself declares, upon its face
our duty of progression. ]! was Instituted 40
form a more perfect union, TO establish Justice,
insure domestic tranquility, provide for The com
mon defence, promote the general welfare and
secure the blessings OF liberty for ourselves and
orr posterity." Il looks forward 10 an Indefinite
expansion of the great system. providing for
The accession of new members to The Confedera-
cy. Shall we resist this noble spiri; Of progress
and strip our own posterty of their inheritance
an inheritance designed Tor their possession By
the founders Of the Republic Shall we repel
and discard our own brethren who are going be-
fore us opening the wilderness, organizing our
institutions, and now separated from us only BY
imaginary, atmospheric lines? Can the benign
objects of the Constitution be promoted by such
restrictions? by forcing up around us rival
powers, instead Of raising and embracing kin
bred friends or by dsregarding geographical
features impressed by Nature, and pertnacously
adhering TO the present shrunken, derormed, zig
gag limits No. sir. lis foundation. like that
of Christianity, is laid upon the law of progress
sive improvement. Under This system, we have
seen what the world has no where else seen in all
its past history-liberty and law marching hand
in hand and, as they marched forever harmons-
ing their conflicting claims. To us belong tree
dom Of speech, freedom Of the press, freedom Of
religion freedom of citizenship, freedom of snf.
frage; the right 10 assemble and discuss measures
OF government, and demand the redress OF all
grievances The right 10 an impartial trial by Jury;
the right OF personal security against searches
and seizures unreasonable; the RICH, of protec-
ton against unlawful restraint and imprisonment;
the right to keep and bear arms; and all these
principles are placed, by our Constitutions, above
the power Of party or Of faction, or even Of the
despotism OF any majorities 10 infringe. Ours are
the blessings of a representative Democracy. lire
poses on the practical and efficient sovereignty
Of the people. Divided into separate municipal
communities, each regulating exclusively ilsown
domestic affairs, and submitting 10 The Govern
ment of the Union matters which concern the
whole; each independent in one sphere, and sub
iecl in another TO common supreme-how ad
mirably formed is this beautiful system, TO recon-
cie opposing views, TO decide by peaceful lcgis-
a,ion or judicial decision, difficulties which, arts.
ing among rival soyersisniiss, would demand Tor