The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-02-15

events, Mr. Morehead Launched fortn into the
incorporation of Texas with the United States was
that il was lue xpedient because we have already
sufficient territory within the limits OF the Govern
ment tor all useful purposes. Second-Our rela-
tlons with Mexico were the same az at the last
session, when the treaty atipuatons subsisting be-
tween the United States and Mexico were made
so powerful an argument against the admission OF
Texas into the Union. 50 long as Its independence
was contested by Mexico. Thlrd-The precedent
OF bare majority in Congress assuming the autho-
rlty OF acting upon like this unauthorized
by the Constitution, might lead at some future day
to other assumptions on the part OF bsre majority
in the two houses, OF greater danger and more de-
cided encroachment upon the liberties of the peo-
pie and the States ISeveral messages from Presi.
dent A. The bill was not comfortable to the con-
stimnon, because 1t gave to a majority of the two
Houses the power to treat with foreign nation up
on a question which, il it belonged to any power
derivable from the constitution. only properly be-
longed to the treaty-maklng power The treaty
proceedings in the acquisition Of Louisiana, were
then recapitulated in support of this argument as
also the treaty Of President Tyler for the admission
of Texas. B The authority assumed, under the
constitution, as to the power of Congress to acquire
new territory, from the clause proyiding that 'new
States may be admitted into the Union," &C., Mr..
M. maintained had no relation whatever to the ad-
mission of foreign States into the Union, but was
confined In its intent and legitimate construction,
exclusively to the domestic territory of the United
States. Mr. M concentrated the weight of his OPP
position to the admission to the admission Of Texas
to this IN fra te,ritorium limitation of the power
conceded TO admit new States. He cited the pro-.
ceedings, In convention, upon the adoption of
this clause of the constitution, as establishing
its limitation to our own domestic territory =
Otherwise, where was the limitation Ireland
and England might be admitted under this ex.
tended construction of the power to admit new
ter of Mr.. Jefferson to Mr.. Nicholas "a Senator
in Congress at the time from Virginia) an ex
tract against any unauthorized latitudnous con.
sruction Of the constitution and especially against
assuming from the clause providing for the admis
sion of new States any authority acquire foreign
territory. With this latitudinous interpre taton
where should we stop? We might annex Cuba,
and then the preponderating influence of the north
might exert itself for the annexation OF Hayti or
ST. Domingo. 1t had, indeed, been claimed by
some one Of the advocates Of this loose construc-
tion, that 1t might be extended so as to embrace
Patagonia, the South Sea Islands, the Cape OF Good
Hope. and the Chinese Empire. We might desire,
tor variety's sake. to have among our people, the
pretty little ladies Of China, with their very
little feet. ssome;, l,s Of an audible smile
can feathers in the ladies gallery.) But what,
sir, should we do with the honorable Sena-
tor from Patagonia We should likely have
in that representative cannibal-a man-eater !;
keen order when the man eating Patagonian should
take the fl ,or In every aspect OF this mis- construc
ton of the power to admit new States there was
danger, excess, and confusion Upon the whole,
VII. MOIcHCdu was bdtFllcu W ICt very well uOuC
rather than hazard the unseen dangers that might
follow upon the adoption of a measure like this.
The BIRTH the rise, the unparalleled progress OF the
United States in greatness. glory, and prosperity,
were forcibly delineated by Mr. NJ, as resulting
from wise administration Of the government, I'M
der careful and scrupulous regard for consistent
adhesion to the Federal Constitution. He exhort
ed and implored our continuance in this wise ex-
ample OF our ilustrious fathers. After depicting
the glory of the union of these twenty.six States
he deplored any event which might lead to the
disloca,ion of the members of thus confederacy,
citing from ancient history the profitable examples
of the decline and final fall Of empires, from their
grasping ambition for new possessions.
Mr.. NJ. closed his observations by expressing his
faith in the strength of the Union-aHd in the
principle among the States of mutual concessions
tor the general good.
When Mr.. Morehead had taken his seat,
Mr.. BUCHANAN arose in his place, and looking
round TO the clock, said that it was now near three
o'clock, and moved therefore that the Senate ad.
journ. But the motion was overruled by asuccess-
full proposition to 60 into Executive session for
short time. Executive sitting accordingly, after
which,
Adjourned.