The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1845-03-27


lie voice of the country at large. 1t wa.
sort OF monomanla, in trouble, for all o.
us to talk loudly orDIsUNIoN and RUIN
The worst threat of disunion ever heard in
the halls Of Congress was uttered by q
member from New England in 1879, on
the admission Of Louisiana,aud il was then
even said that all the States which had
T. been admitted from territory not within
the Union at the adoption of the consitu
ton were now lawfully members of the
conlederacy. Yes, sir, instead Of the gen.
eral assent and acclamaiion then, as the
senator from Virginia Mr. Rives supposes,
the same threats we now hear mut,ered in
certain parts of our country had then been
heard over and over again. 1t was held
just as illegal and unconstitutional as the
admission of Texas was now. The pro-
ceediDgs Of the Hartford con, ention relat-
cd in part to this very subject.
Their report now before me questioned
the constlutionalty as well as the proprie-
ty OF the admission of Louisana.-(See 7
Niles Register) One of their resolutions
proposed also to change the clause for the
admission OF new States; and Justice Story
very frankly says in substance that the
views OF that convention as to the admiss-
ion Of Louisiana were untenabIe and uu-
sounded.-( 3 Story on Con.) Yet after
all this, 1t was now, as then, insisted by
some that an act of the people only could
legitimate the admission of Arkansas and
Missouri, because they had not been first
admitted by the treaty power, and
Massachusetts denounced both as not law
tnlly coming in to the Union, although
purchased first by treaty. SHE was difficult
to suit In 1912, what came in first by
treaty was unlawful, Now, what is admit.
ted first without treaty is, with her, equal
lylE not more unlawful. This is maintained
by her, too. though several of the strong
est opponents Of the Louisiana purchase in
lSO3 admitted that if foreign territory was
to be introduced at all as State it must
be by Congress, and not by treaty. Gentle
men will, in reading the debates OF that
day, find them full of these admissions.
In order that the Senate may see | do
not msaprehend the extent and grounds of
objection now urged by Massachusetts to
admission ofTexas by this resolution, l
will read some proceedings which have
just passed one branch of her legislature
by large majority.
RESOLVES CONCERNING THE AID.
MISSION OF TEXAS.
|, Resolved, That Massachusetts has
never delegated the power to admit into
The Union States or territories without or
beyond the original territory of the States
and Territories belonging to this Union at
he adoption of the constitution of the u
nited States; and that, in whatever manner
he consent of Massachusetts may hare
been given or inferred to the admission of
he States already, by general consent,
ormng part of the Union, from such ter
'ltory, the admission of such States, in the
judgement Of Massachusetts. forms no
PRECEDENT for the admission of Texas, and
IAN never be interpreted 10 rest on pwers
granted in the constitution.
2. Rtsolred, That there has hitherto
'een noprecedent of an admission of a
oregn State or foreign territory into the
Jnion by legislation And as The powers
flegislation granted in the Constitution of
he United States to Congress, do not en-
race case Of the admission of foreign
tate or foreign territory, by legislation in
D the Union, such an act of admission
'ouId have no binding force whatever on
he people of Massachusetts.
3. Rcsolred, That the power never hav-
,g been granted by the people Of Massa.
huse,ts, to admit into the Union, States
nd Territories not within the same when
ne constitution was adopted, remains with
lie people; and can only be exercised in
lch way and manner as the people shall
GREATER designate and appoint.
4. Res0lrcd, That the people Of Massa-
lusetts will never consent to use the pow.
IS reserved to themselves, to admit Texas
r any other State or Territory, now with
ut the Union, or any other basis than the
effect equality Of freemen and that while
avery or slave representation forms any
art Of the claims of admission, Texas with
eir consent can never be admitted
These resolves were adopted in the
ouse of Representatives on Tuesday last
yeas 1873, nays Al.
The recent an,i-Texas convention there,
hose members and speakers embraced
e Garrisons as well as the Philipses and
rinnes and Adamses, leaders Of the OPP
,stion, came TO like conclusions. In their
port now before me, in the Liberator, one
the propositions is this:
81. There is no constitutional power in
y branch ofthe government, to annex a
reign State to this Union.
But enough ofthis.
There was another argument pressed in
ror ofaction by treaty rather than by
1ngress, which was somewhat eAtraordi-
ny, coming from large State, and one
rmerly very sensitive and jealous nfexec-
i've power The last senator who had
oxen, from Virginia, Mr. Rives. bad
sisted that the security of the South
oud be incomparably greater if Texas
oud be admitted with the treaty power,
an if she should come in by simple act