Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-12-27
NAMNS

to the Senate and presented some detail the grounds o.
which II rested pleasure OF the Senate and OF tn
other branch of the National Legislature TO pass the reso
ton by the requisite majority, and received the appreciation
Of the President Of the United States Il is presented
now therefore, u law of the United Statcs-as Law
passed IN the mode prescribed by the Constitution and b,
those who under that instrument entrusted with the pow
er of legislation Whatever then, may have been the opin
ion which entertained the constitutional power Of Con
eress over this subject in the mode in which that power
exercised and however unchangedtha opinion may be- yet
am now called to under resolution which, according
to the provisions of the Constitution is the existing law
the land, do not feel myself at liberty TO up private
Judgment either individual legislator, against
which has in this mode received the sanction proyd
ed for by the Constitution.
On the question of expediency have but brief remark
to make said at the last session, what prepared
realize, that subject of eSpedency the wishes of
my constituents wishes, and when ascerained shall be
the rule Of my conduct On this subject believe there can
be question, that while portion OF the people OF Georgia
opposed the annexation of Texas by join. resou
ton, the ground of want OF constitutional power, and
many of them because of its nexpediency, yet there
another portion who decided advocates Of the measure
Nv present impression is that those who originally OPP
posed believing do that the faith Of the United States Is
pledged by act which has received the sanction OF all the
branches of the Government anxious that this question:
which much agated the public councils and disturbed
the public mind should be put at rest and consequently they
too desire that this resolution should now be passed.
am then in this position. There is before me an act OF
this Legislature pedgng the faith of the United States to the
people of Texas that their compliance with certain cond
specified in the resolution presented them, they shall
be admitted State of this Union. Whatever consdera
tons may be opposed to my acquescence IN this measure
whatever differences of opinion may be entertained, they
overruled by the fact that the public faith Of
this Government has been pledged to that people by those &c
whom the Constitution has entrusted the power of legislation
One other remark It perfectly competent to the Sena
from Massachusetts, to discuss the question of the
ton of State where slavery prevails and urge his obec
ton to the calculated to disturb the political
balance contemplated by the Constitution between the several
States of this Union but apart from the consideration that
10 he from me
representing do of those States where this institution
prevails that should be Influenced by those objections which
ire urged by that Senator
will repeat. The pledge of this Government has been
given, and must be redeemed The only question, there
ore whether the people of Texas have complied with The
conditions specified in the joint resolution Now sir have
ven somewhat attentive consideration to the Constitution
which they have adopted and of opinion that these
lons have been complied with. nothing the pro-
ons Of that Constitution the subject of slavery which
ought prohibit the contamination of the proms
ID in the resolutions of the last Congress Much to which
he Senator from Massachusetts, refers, the inhibition the
Legislature except certain conditions, pass laws of
10 is somewhat beyond the pro-
vince of Congress to entertain 1t perfectly open,
have before sad Senator question the prOprety of
the admission of Texas the ground of Its tendency disturb
The political balances between the States, contemplated by the
Constitution but the question of emancipation when, how,
and under what be allowed would appear
me should be left with her own Legislature as subject for
domestic regulation belonging exclusively the State and
with which the Congress of the United States has autho
rity, either directly indirectly to interfere. These my
views and under the conviction which they lead shall
give my VOTE
Mr.. NILES followed He merely TO offer a few
marks explanatory of the which had induced him TO
for the resolutions II his intention make any
with his State the question involved With
regard the doctrine of Instructions he maintained that to be
possess any moral Observation-Disclosures must
distinct, definite form. The Legislature of his
State had simply expressed its opinion the question: and
left him, in the spirit, freedom and federation to
nj ulu hp
He did view the sujec any scctonuio parry
regarded in its broad and comprehensive characterno as
affecting party-not affecting any particular interests
not as affecting the balance of power, ayoraby unfayoI
ablybu affecting the general welfare of the republic and
great of human liberty IL indeed great
national question Twas most Intimately connected with
the perpeuy and progress the Republic In his State
viewed by many that broad light 1t was not then,
party question Many of those politically opposed to
him were in favor OF the measure Nor was measure
affecting his constituency On the contrary
any sections of the country be peculiarly benefited by
the measure, those interests located the eastern shores
would be specially benefited The interests of the manuac
turing and commercial would be materially promoted
Still he had entertained very serious objections to the
Of the resolutions and he and few who thought with
him. had endeavored to give to the resolutions more accept
lble form. In his opinion right and just IT was wise
and sound policy introduce and carry out spirit Of mutual
compromise the frhes possible extent That the true
basis Of representation in Congress The Government had
been organized in that spirit And the peculiar circum
and condition Of the country required the part OF
ALL sagacous craftsmanship and rigid adherence to that just
and saluary principle Mr. n then went at some length
explain his in reference the of Texas
xation but almost altogether naudbe the
poers gallery He understood that he had given
acquescence the he did not regret IT, although
he did regret that the mode by which the had been accom-
pshed had been acceptable he had desired He
then proceeded the objection raised in quarters to
the effect that extension of the territorial limits OF the Re
public desirable He had apprehension that
score the contrary he had with pleasure and pride
the extension Of the boundaries Of the country. The prnci
pie of territorial extension that lay at the very foun
dation of the Government
When the confederacy first formed the wise who
the head Of affairs did contemplate that this Union
be limited 10 its then boundaries. They looked forward
enlargement Of those boundares. They made provi
sion for the introduction Of States into the Union From
that day the present bad been the policy of the Govern
extend territorial possessions yet had the
national councils been strongly influenced by gaspng spirit
Of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Whatever might have been said the
other side Of the Senate that point there has been nothing
the history of the action Of the United States Government
Justify the accusation that have been acuaed by fe
vesh anxiety possess territory But occasions had
been offered oppor unes had presented themselves Of
tending territorial limits by the acquisition Of additional
possessions had hesaed and embrace them
That had bcen thus far the policy Of the Government and
be hoped might continue to be He had found evil
but many advantages, Arising from the Pursuance Of such
Of policy # had been in consequence Of such poll
cy that the United States that moment presented the
map Of the world such imposing aspect point Of terrific
rial possession and internal Wastere any danger
10 be apprehended from such policy Was there any thing
il that threatened the stability Of the Union He thought
he might II Ind been evident that instead Of