The Arkansas banner., 1845-03-19
ANNEXATION OF TEXAS,
SPEECH OF MIR. BUCHANAN,

Mr. BUCHANAN, of Pennsylvania. rose and addressed tie Senate nearly as follows ::
 l am deeply impressed with a conviction oi the vast importance the present question. Shall Congress. 10 use the language of the Constitution, admit the new Statc of Texas Iato this Union, or shall Texas maintain the position of an independent Power, Shall we exhibit in our history those mutual ieal- ousies and wars which have ever been the misfortune of neighboring and rival nations Shall the lone star of Texas be blended with our glorious constellatioa,and sheds it benign influence over the length and breadth of our land, or, comet-like, shall it threaten "dis- ease, pestlence, and war; to our Union?
 It does not occur once in a century. itmay not again occur i'll our history for many cen tnries, that legislative body is called upon to decide question which must exercise such an important influence for ages to come, both on the fate Of this North American Con- tlneht and of the whole world. Wars may be saged by ambition, and countries may be deIuged with blood but bounteous naant soon repairs the devastation The field ol Waterloo is now covered with cheerful green and the happy eultivalor of the soil now drives his plough ahead over the plain where but few short years ago the hostile armies ol all Europe fought the most terrible battle recorded ia history. The devastation has 1 passed away, and no trace of il remains But should Texas become an independent ri- val Power, should a foreign influence be ey- eFted over her eounsels, a3 it most certaiiIly will be, to disseminate dissensi0ns between her and ourselves, the faat effects will live as long a5 the two nations shall endure.- sIeXas will remain either to bless us by re- union and 10 promote harmony among the Anglo-Amefican race, or, like the Phlislines to the lsraalitcs of oli, be- peIpe;uil thorn iii the side of this Republic.
 For my own part, rejoice thatmy humble name has in . small>legree been connected with this question. shall endeaYor to ele- rale myself to its high standard; shall en- deapor 10 soar above all personal or party Jealousies, above all sectional feelings, and treat it as purely national question. Itis a matter of comparatively small importance to the country by whom this great boon is ac- quited, so fbatit shall be secured.
 Texas first offered herself to Us in l937, and was then rejected by the Executive Gov ernmeni. h that decision, under the circum- stances then existing, heartily concurred. In lS44 she again offered herself; but the treaty was rejected by the Senate. Ithas been now proposed to admit her into the Union by act of Congress, and the House of Representatives have passed the bill The entire responsibility of her rejection again de- wolves upon the Senate. If we third time turn deaf ear 10 her application, the oppor- tunty may be gone forever
 Mir. B. went on to say that if he had been consulted in the preparation of these rcsou- tons for the admission of tFexas, there were some provisions now included in them 10 which he should have objected, He concur red with the honorable Senator from Ken lucky (Hr MogeheadJ in the opinion that the United States Government ought to ohave con- troI over the public lands of Texas; that we should also have the control over the Indian relations within her territory, and that she should cede her public domain to the United States Nor did he like the provision that Texas was 10 be consulted in the creation of new States from her territory, But let the resolutions pass as they stood, and we could do justice to Texas and 10 ourselves heyeal- ter. He considered t unjust to deprive her ol her revenue iro,a custom-houses. and of all her public property, without making any provision which would enable her to pay her debis. Nor did he approve the granting to her of all her public domain: this ought to be cededed to the UntedHSales for fair equivalent. Bat, as he had said before, let us but oblaln the precious boon of her admis- sion, and all minor difficulties could readily be adjusted at the proper time.
 Mir. 5. said he was pleased withthe first in this series oi resolutions, because 1t provided for immediate admission, SO far as that was practicable. For, was it not matter of vast importance thata question which had agitated this Union for years past, which had disturb ed our social peace, which had fomented feel lngs Of strife and personal enmty, raising up man against man, from one eud of ouT coun- try to the other, andwhich, he undertook to say, had been decided by the people at the late Presidential election, should, as soon as practicable, be putat rest.
 They had heard. and should hear again, as had happened when Louisiana was admit ted, threais q the dissolution of the Union doubtless the emissaries Of discord would be busy until the agitaling question should have been decided: but now, us then, these low eFing clouds would pass from the political heavens; we should all again worship to- gether at the sacred altar of union, and those. who had been loudest in their opposition would find that their portions of the country were the largest sharefs in the blessings and benefits ot this great national measure What, .he asked, would New England have been without ihe acquisition of Loaisiana , Bold, brave, industrious, enlerpiising as she was, this measure, to which she had at the time manifested so decided hostility, had pre- sented field far the extension of her com meree and navigation which she never could otherwise have enjoyed, ana had promoted her prosperity m greater degree than thai of ans othst portion ol the United saies.- lif. |. lk6I Tho first resolution f.. ,lal req son
 IT. was pleased wi.a t, again. because il sefgiea iheaass.lea ol slavery. Fhesercso- isstbHa WaHl sa fe-estahiisst tie Iasa4sl