Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-03-18
49, - - r. :
POLITICAL.
COON nc UMheri0c Rcpu6iican. }
MR.. BUCHANAN OF PENNSYLVANIA

(Fron the HWieriQc Republican,
MR.. BUCHANAN OF PENNSYLVANIA
Our readers will find the speech entire OF Tins
trulv distinguished statesman and senator, lil
his DAYS pSpcr. Turn TO il, begin it, and read
Il through: il is the effort OF pure and patriot
mind. i is the effort of citizen OF Pennsyiva,
MIA in the cause Of his country, the Union, and
liberty. il is no narrow, prejudced, partisan pro-
duc,ion:-it is not the product OF a low, selfish
sinister head and heart, making the right appear
the wrong-itisa statesman, philan,hropiSl ar
orator. speaking 10 great question ior The ques
mons sake for his counlIys sake, for the truths
sake, Tor The sake of mankind. Read il, and re-
rad il, and behold the difference twixt Clingmar
Of North Carolina and James Buchanan OF Penn'
acknowledgements delving in The foul ISLANDERS
and infamous ialsehoods OF the late Presidehlia
Election, and the incidents hc.eot-ClnSman
whining after split milk, when discussing the all
absorbing and mighty Texas question:
nan. the Senator from Pennsylvania, rising up 10
the magnitude Of the question, tramplins parll-
zanship beneath his feet, and disconrsins on the
future; on the grandeur. glory. happiness, ana
pcrpe,uily Of The union .. thcse States, h's nome,
The home of the free, the asylum OF the Cypress
ed the country of The bible, OF written conslisu-
lions, of law and oil oder.
Well has Mr.. Buchanan, 10 use bis own IAN
guage, elevated himscfto the high Standard OF
The question 10 be discussed. Twas not we nope
j: may now be spoken of in the past tense-i'S
not a question for this or that man; for tins or
that State or seclion-'ts great American ques-
ton. IT'S the question OF peace, harmony, pros
perity. glory 10 the North American Continent
lis question of the spread OF liberty and law
Read and see The difference 'twi1t Mr.. Bucha-
nan The Senator from Pennsylvania, and Vin-
cent Wicher, the /" Wheehor>e' OF WhlsseIy
in the Virginia Legislature, and his satellites,
aiding Mr.. Ryes and Mr. Archer 10 evade doing
The will OF Virginia in this mighy question:
No, no. It's patriotism and duty 10 country,
done on The one side, and lis parizan mentally,
and contemplate trickery ana evasion OF duty on
the other.
SPEECH OF MR.. BUCHANAN,
OF PENNSYLVANIA,
ON THE ANNEXATION OF TEXAS.
Del,rerea in the Senate of The q. s., FEB. IA, 1913.
The Senate resumed the consideration OF the
Joint resolution for the Annexation OF Texas
when
Mr.. BUCHANAN Of Pennsylvania rose and ad-
dressed the Senate nearly as follows
| am deeply impressed with conviction OF lhe
vast importance OF the present question. small
Congress, 10 use The language OF the Constitution
admit the new State of Texas into this Union,
or shall Texas maintain the position OF an inde-
pendent power? Shall We exhibit in our history
those mutual ealousies and wars which have
ever been the misfortune OF neighborinS and r.
val nations Shall the lone star OF Texas De
blended with our glorious constellation, and shed
It's benign influence over the length and breadth
of our land; or, comet-lke, shall il threaten dis
eases, pestilence and war" 10 our Union?
Ii does not occur once in century, Il may moi
again occur in our history for many centuries,
that a legislative body is called upon 10 decide
question which must exercise such an important
influence, for ages 10 come, both on the tate OF
this North American continent, and OF the whole
world Wars may be waged by ambition, and
countries may be delueed with blood but boun-
teous Nature soon repairs the devastation. Inc
field OF Waterloo is now covered with cheerful
green and the happy cul,iva,or OF the soil now
drives his plough ahead over the plain where, bu,
a few short years ago, the hostile armies OF all
Europe fought the most terrible battle recorded IN
history. The devastation has passed away and
no trace OF it remains. But should Texas become
an independent rival power, should foreign influ-
ence be exered over her counsels, as il most Ger
tainy will be, 10 disseminate dissensions between
her and ourselves, the fatal effects will live as long
as the twonations shallendure. Texas will remain
either to bless us BY reunion and 10 promote har-
mony among the Anglo-Amercan race, or, like
The Philislines 10 The Israeles ofold be pcrpet-
ual thorn in the side ofthis Republic
For my own part, | rejoice, that my humble
name has in small degree been connected with
this question. | shall endeavor 10 elevate myself
10 its high standard; shall endeavor TO soar above
all personal or party jcalouses above all section
al feelings, and treat il as purely national cues
ton. II is matter of comparatively small i'm
portance 10 the country by whom this great
boon is acquired. so that it shall be secured.
Texas first offered herself 10 US in 1887, and
was then rejected by The Executive Government.
In that decision under the circumstances then ex-
isting | heartily concurred. In 1911 she again
offered herself; but the treaty was rejected by The
Senate. I, has been now proposed 10 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
d.voves upon the Senate. If we third time
turn deaf car 10 her application, the opportunity
NAV be gone forever.
Mr. B. went on TO say, that if he had been
consulted in The preparation Of these resolutions
for the admission Of Texas, there were some
provisions now included in them 10 which he
should have objected. He concurred with the
honorable Senator from Kentucky (Mr. More
head) in the opinion that the United States Co
vernment ought TO have control over the public
lands OF Texas; that We should also have the
control over the Indian relations within her terri
tory, and that she should cede her public domain
10 The United States. Nor did he like the pro-
vision that Texas was 10 be consulted in the Gre
alton of new States from her territory But lc,
the resolutions pass as they stood, and We could
do Justice 10 Texas and TO ourselves hereafter
He considered it unjust TO deprive her Of her re-
venue from custom houses, and OF all her public
property, without making any provision which
would enable her 10 pay her debts. Nor did nc
approve the granting 10 her of all her public
domain: this ought 10 lie coded TO the United
States for fair equivalent But, as he had said
before, let us bur obtain The precious boon Of her
admission, and all minor difficulties could readily
be adjusted at the proper time.
Mr.. B. said he was greatly pleased with The
first in this series oil resolutions, because pro-
yided for immediate admission, so far as that was
practicable. For, was il not matter OF vast i'm
portance, that question which had aeitated This
Union for years past, which had disturbed our
social peace, which had iomentcd feelings OF
strife and personal cnmity, raising up man against
man, from one end al our country TO The other,
and which, he undertook TO say, had been decided
by the people al The late Presidential election
should IS soon as practicable he phi At rest
They had heard, and should hear again, As had
happened when Louisiana was admitted, threats
of the dissolution OF The Union: doubtless the
emissaries OF dscord would be busy until this
agitating question should nave peen oeciaStl' o"'
now, as Ihen these lowering clouds would pass
from the political heavens We should all again
worship together at the sacred altar OF Union,
and those who had been loudest in their opposi-
ton would find that their own portions of the
country were the largest sharers in The blessings
and benefits of this great national measure
What be asked, would New England have been
without The acquisition Of Louisiana Bold
brave, industrious, enerrrisng IS she was, this
measure, to which she had al the time manifest
cd so decided hostility, had presented field for
the extension OF her commerce and navigation
which she never could otherwise have enjoyed,
and had promoted her prosperity in a greater de-
gree than that oil any other portion Of The United
States. Mr.. B. liked the frs, resolution for tha,
reason.
FIe wa. pleased with it again, because it set
led the question of slavery. These resolutions
went 10 re establish the Missouri Compromise, by
fixing line within which slavery was 10 be in