The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-02-24

of the annexation ofTenas. But il was not alone IN
Congress that Il had been discussed IL had been tho
roughly investigated and canyassed before the people
in every section OF the country. he here adyerled
10 the definitions which had been given in this
debate Of the word estate" and stated the various
authors on national and international law, who had
been quoted the subject but, after all, he cons-
dered the question narrowed down 10 the lit, raj
words Of the Constitution and by II the power Of adj
hitting new States by Congress into the UaiO0,
clearly applicable 10 the admission OF Texas and
was only by construction snd Interpolation that hose
who held contrary opinion we're able 10 drag has
clause Of the Constitution into the support Of their
arguments.
What danger could arise from exercising an er-
press power granted by the constitution and Tequr
ing no Interpolation, particularly when the people
coneurred 10 that exercise OF power For, this was
subject fully canvasSed before the people. And be
thanked the Senator from Louisiana fMr. Barrow
for calling his attention, aud that of his colleague
Mr. Dix, 10 the fact when he inquired Of them the
other day, II the issue had not been eyaded IN the
State OF New York during the last elections. He
was ready 10 answer the senator and, in speaking
for himself he believed he but uttered the sentmenl,
Of his colleague, too, when he said, that in all the
mass meetings throughout the State, held by the ary
which came out triumphant at the elections the qu
ton Of annexation was advocated as prominent II.
sue Ia all their professions the banner of the lone
star of Texas waved conspicuous, and was hailed
with enthusiasm. In the meetings Of the other party
the question OF annexation denounced in terms nj
hostility as strong as were the terms OF approbapp
with which it was spoken OF by the triumphant Dart,
He did mol mean TO say that the friends OF annexation
concurred 10 the details of the measure what h..
said was, that the general principle Of annexation
met with the universal concurrence Of the party
which came OF triumphant in the elections And
although il was well known that the fayore and d.,
tingulshed citizen OF that State who so receay wa,
OF its representatives IN this chamber had taken
grounds against the treaty OF last session. equal
ly well known that his opposition was to the teaty
and not TO annexation. IL he understood that dun'
guished statesman's sentiments on this subject they
we're favorable TO the annexation Of Texas uron
terms and conditions which would satisfy his n,Iy
ment. II was then, only in respect the detail. Of
annexation that any difference Of opinion existed ia
the State Of New York among the democratic party
But SO far as the general question of annexation W.,
concerned II afforded him pleasure to be able TO an
swer the senator from Louisiana Mr.. Barrow tia,
It was prominent issue in the State Of New York
and that the party which advocated it came out tn.
| umphaDt IN the elections. The issue was pressed
forward by the opposite party and it was met openly
and fearlessly
Mr. ID. next proceeded to the question of const.
tutionality, and investigated the positions taken
on both sides by those who had preceded him in de-
bate.
He thought there was question which suoer,eJsd
the necessity Of debating the constitutional powT in
asmuch as, II II Were established, the exercise of the
constitutional power would admit of no doubt or de-
liberation 1t was whether Texas ever constitution.
ally was severed from the United States after the &C
cushion OF Louisiana. 1t was agreed on all hand.
mat ailer the purchase of Louisiana from France IN
loo3 exaswasJust as much portion of our terntJ
~ as Arkansas, Missouri or any other part of that
purchase BY the terms Of that treaty, we encou.
ragged our citizens TO settle there under the GUARANTY
that when entitled by population, they would be :
| mted as new State. Once they were settled
Then we had no constitutional power to deprive
them OF this right: hence the act of transfer ring
| them to Spain In 1919, was, so far as Tex
as was concerned, null and void But even If
SPAN, by that transfer, had acquired any hight
over Texas, 81 e never administered it ; and it very
soon iePsed, IN consequence of the Spanish do,
mnion IN North America having been succes sfully
rePud'ated oy the revolution which follow ed
and whereby the Mexican States asserted their in
dependence. Texas, never for moment had
pAred with her Independence she always asserted
and maintained tirom the time she IN, in conv enton
IN lol9, 10 demonstrate and protest against our
breach OF faith towards her. When the Mexican
States formed a confederation, and adopted con.
stIlution, she was willing to join them But when
Santa Anna overthrow that confederation and con-
slllution and set up military despoism she with
drew, and declared herself absolved from the com
pacl-wbich had IN fact become a nullty She as
serted and ma ntalned her independence 4: and VIII en-
attempted to be subdued cona uered her invaders and
maintained Neutrality-suspicious.. She is stil here she
was IN 1919 with this only difference that our citizen.
occupying her territory are 100000, and entrle
hel to the rank of State amongst us If she has
then been acting Independently of US, il is throuyh
our own fault not hers. We wrongfully cast her cut,
and forced her TO shift for herself. She now is will
ing TO forget this wrong, and asks-what she vas al-
ways entitled to as soon as she had a Representative
Observation-Disclosures into our Union
on these general principles he concurred fully with
the senator from Arkansas Mr.. ASHLEY
Mr u then entered into legal examination ufths
techncaties upon which The arguments on the other
side were based and showed that they were atogeth
er untenable.
In conclusion he adveIted to the remarks fine SEN
ator from LOUIS ana Mr.. BARROW commenting upon
'he expressions of regard made use OF hy the
senator from New Hampshire mr. WoopBuRyl in
me close OF his speech wherein he expressed wish
tnat THIS measure might pass before General Jackson
descended to his grave Mr. d. eIooueD,Iv called to
mind the services of that distinguished sollier and
states man he reminded the senator from Ionisinnn
OF what be had done for the State and city which he
represented, and asked ~hetherlt ives fit and bccoo.
ing OF a representative of that State to draw shaft
rom the quiver Of Dgratitude to wound the CeeIn,s
OF MIN who bad shed his blood in defence of ALI that
her citza mi held dear. ~ "'1'
INAUGURATION PROCESSION