The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-22

IN 10 slavery was ODt WHICH
longed to the States, and with which Congress ha
not the power TO Interfere -
MIR. NILES followed, He rose merely to offer
few remarks explanatory Of the reasons which ha
induced him to vote for the resolutions. IL was no
his intention to make any issue with his own Stat
on the question involved With regard to III. doc
tfne OF Instruction., he maintained that to he bind
ing-to possess any moral Observation-Disclosures
must assume distinct, definite form. The legis
laure of his State had simply expressed its opinion
on the question, and eft shm In the same spirit o
freedom and liberation, to exercise his own udg
ment That judgment he would exercise. He di,
view the subject in any sectional or party aspect
He regarded it in its broad and comprehensive char
acter-not as affecting perty--not affecting any
particular interests-not as affecting the balance
power, favorably or untavorably--but as affectins
the general welfare OF the republic, and the grea
cause OF human liberty. II was, indeed, great ma
| tonal question: II was one most Intimately con
nected with the perpetuity and progress of the re
public. In his own State it was'viewed by many
that broad light. 1t was not, then, mere party
Question. Many Of those politically opposed to hin
were IN favor of the measure. Nor was il meas
ure unfavorably affecting his constituency. On the
contrary, if any sections of the country were to be
peculiarly benefited by the measure those inter
ests located on the eastern Shores would bs
specially benefited. The interests Of the manufac
| turing and commercial classes would be materially
promoted by it. Still he had entertained very serou.
objections to the form of the resouons and he ant
few who thought with him, had endeavored to civ,
to the resolutions a more acceptable form. In his
opinion it was right and Just, II was wise and sound
policy to introduce and carry out spirit Of mutual
compromise to the farthest possible extent. Thai
was the true basis of representation in Congress
The government had been organized in that spirit
And now the peculiar circumstances and condition
oil the country required the part of all, sagacous
craftsmanship and rigid adherence to that just and
salutary principle Mr.. N. then went on at some
length to explain his course in reference to the meas
ure Of Texas annexation, but was almost altogether
| inaudble IN the reporters gallery. He was under
stood to say that he had given his acquiesccnce To
the measure; he did not regret It, although he did
regret tina, the mode by which the object had been
accomplished had not been as acceptable as he had
| desired He then proceeded to meet the objection
raised IN some quarters to the effect that an extern
sion of the territorial limits of the republic was not
desirable. He had no apprehension on that score;
ON the contrary, he had seen with pleasure and
pride the extension of the boundaries of the
country That principle of territorial extension
was one that lay the very foundation of the gov
eminent. When the confederacy was first formed
the wise men who at the head Of affairs did
not contemplate that this Union was TO be limited
to its then boundaries. They looked forward to
an enlargement of those boundaries. They made
provision for the introduction Of new States into the
Union. From that day TO the present it has been
the policy of the government to extend OUT terrific
rial possessions; yet had the national councils
been strongly influenced by grasping spirit of ag
grandizement. Whatever might have been said on
the other side Of the Senate that point there has
been nothing in the history of the action ofthe Uni
ted States government justify the accusation that
we had been actuated by feverish anxiety to pos.
sess more territory. But occasions had been Of
fered, opportunities had presented themselves of
extending our territorial limits by the acquisition of
additional possessions, we had not hesated to use
and embrace them. That had been, thus far, the
policy OF the government; and he hoped 1t might
continue to be so. He had found no evil, but many
advantages, arising from the pursuance Of such a
course policy. II had been in consequence of such
policy that the United States at that moment presented
on the map of the world such an imposing aspect
in point Of territorial possession and internal re-
sources. Was there any danger to be appre hended
from such policy Was there anything in 1t that
threatened the stability Of the Unioni He thought
he might say no. 1t had been quite evident that
instead of being weakened or impaired, the Union
had been strengthened by its enlargement. The
structure and nature of the government happily
such the more extensive were the territorial limits
Of the nationi the stronger did the Union become,
1t Imperection exists in any section the smaller
that section is in comparison with the whole, the
less obviously is the danger of any mschef-the
less the danger of general disturbance He did not
propose to dwell long the subject; but there
one argument in favor Of the annexation Of Texas
which had had great weight on his own mind and
which in his judgment had not received perhaps that
general attention which its value deserved. II was
this the danger likely to arise from the existence
on our borders of an independent State with nstitu-
tons similar to ours-with the same language
with the same general principles Of freedom--with
the same rellgion-with the civillzaon-and
settled by our own citizens. Such State might
form the nucleus of serious opposition if it were not
incorporated into our confederacy so as to form a
part of ourselves Entertaining these views, and be-
lieving that there was danger to he apprehended
from any extension of territories but that, on
the contrary, the security of the country would GER
talnly be promoted by embracing within its limits
new States and territories peopled by our own citi.
zens, he did hesitate to vote for the resolutions
In this course it was his conviction that he was
securing the interests Of the country and Of his
stituents.
Mr.. HUNTINGTON stated the reasons for the
vote he was about to give; and, in the course of his
remarks desired TO say, in relation to the remarks
of his colleague, [Mr. NILES that, in his Judgment,
the resolutions of Connecticut, which had been adj
verted to, expressed the actual state Of things and
the opinions then existing in that Commonwealth on
the subject to which the resolutions referred and in
condemnation of the annexation of Texas More
than year since, after the JOINT resolutions prepare
tory.to admission were passed, the State spoke in
strong terms in relation to this subject, expressing
their decided Interpretation by large majorities.
After the resolutions were passed, an election took
place, and public sentiment again spoke in that State
IL pOsSiDle, SUN lOuueT ana StrOngcr; ana
he felt bound to say that he thought the resolutions
of the legislature expressed the deliberate opinions
and convictions Of the people of Connecticut. His
colleague said that he not satisfied with the res
olutions for the annexation of Texas, they came
from the House. He thought them Objectionable
without the additional resolution proposed by way
Of amendment and yet he Mr.. NnEsl knew per-
ecty well that the additional resolution was an al
tentative leaving it to the President take the first
which he did take and to which his colleague enter
tanned serious objection His colleague said, in re-
ation to this subject, that there Instructions
in terms, given. The legislature, perhaps, thought
it useless. He believed that it was not always
the case that those who professed the doc
trine were always governed by instructions
though, for his part he did not acknowledge it,.
A few words in relation to the resolutions now be-
fore them. They proposed to admit Texas into the
Union on footing with the other States He
should vote against them for the precise that
he voted against the preliminary resolutions adopted
during the last Congress. He considered it to be
both unconstitutional and inexpedien to pass these
resolutions When the subject was before them on