Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-03-15

er and more expediousy than any Of rivals should
secure all the benefits which the navigating interest OF
country could derive from commercial intercourse with her.
MY friend from Pennsyvani thinks that the annexation OF
Texas Will strengthen the Union; that the frontier States
those ON the outer border Of the Coneemcyhave BEEN and
always will be, the most loyal OF any Of the States 10 the
Government and the Union OF suppose the more
remote our frontier from the CENTRE the stronger will be
Unions and for such purpose would il not be best that il
should extend to Cape Horn Are to go spreading
our free institutions all sides until become
bound Republic Are we to have neghbors but Repub
lies Will thirst for acquisition be aIayed without
embracing within the Union the whole Of the western CONT
nem Would II not he wise to listen to the voice OF the
patriots and statesmen OF other days. who warned their
tymen OF the dangers attendant upon great extension Of
their limits Shall their admonons be lost upon Shall
be wiser than the generations who have pece
died US Had not better check ardor for acquisition,
and let swell enough alone The voice Of the fathers Of
the Republic still speaks in the records which they have
left Tor peusa is the voice Of Kindness Of patotsm
and Of wisdom Let listen it, let give heed 10 il, let
profit by il.
have now, Mr.. President, discharged what considered
10 he an iperous Duty both American Senator and
representing State which has given this place Of honor
and responsibility II has been my design to explain the
grounds of my honest and conscientious opposition to this
measure OF annexation and to set forth the reasons why
think both unconstitutional and inexpedient The voice
my own beloved Commonwealth, to which always listen
with respect has reached Her Legislature has expressed
the sentiments Of her people this subject At
its session in May last passed the following resolutions
6 Resolved That the power unite independent foreign
State with the United States is among the powers delegated
to the General Government the Constitution Of the United
States and that the treaty recently concluded by the President
OF the United States for the annexation Of Texas assuming
the payment OF its debts its with Mexico, and its treaties
with foreign Powers dangerous and alarming stretch Of
Executive power
Resolved That the Government of the United States, pure
and rreproacae its relations with foreign nations, has
ever observed, with unbendng integrity the faith Of treaties
and that national reputation and HONOR well the dictates
OF sound morality, require rigid adherence to these princ
pies and that the annexation OF Texas to this Union would be
violation OF our treaty stipulaons with Mexico, ana virtual
declaration OF war against that Power.
Resof1ed That the State Of Connecticut faithful to the
Constitution Of the United States and mindful of its
son foreign nation to the Union
and especially will stpuae for its adms
sion with the privilege OF slave representation, become
party to its voluntary institution OF slavery"
In the sentiments thus expressed fully have
endeavored enforce them The decision of the Senate
which is to be pronounced will present the momentous
issues which will grow of this proposition for
eign Government the Union of these States hope the
Senate will be directed wise and just decision. have
been educated from my youth in that school which has main
tanned the supremacy of the Constitution and the laws which
has deemed the firm unwaveng support Of the provisions Of
that instrument and the Union of the States be essential to
national happiness and prosperity With strict adherence to
the spirit of the Constitution wise and honest Executive
Administration intelligent and patriotic Legislature
learned, firm, independent Judiciary, and enlightened
and moral people, with the blessing of Providence all will
be well with But if the checks, and balances, and
guarantees of the Constitution be sacrifced If form be
substituted for substance if and dangerous
else OF powers which literal Interpretation Of the Consu
ton does not demand its spirit justify be nduged dis
sensions, and ealouse and heartbungs will arise and
the bonds of Union will I've weakened the
eg of the Conederacy be endangered and the prosperity
and increasing greatness of the nation will be mpeded, if not
destroyed From such calamity may He who holds in his
hand all the nations of the earth save us