The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-03-18
SPEECH OF MR.. DICKINSON,
or NEW YORK,
ON THE ANNEXATION OF TEXAS
Delivered IN The Senate Of The United States
February 22, 1915.


February 81 is4o.
| Mr. DICKINSON said he rose 20 the discussion
OF the question under circumstances Of peculiar
bausssnent. Sympathsing at a II times deeply with
the feeling which surrounded hun, ana being aware
Of the anxiety which prevailed With the risads Of the
measure 10 close the debato-in which he hberall,
shared-that consideration could not fail 10 add Il,
influence To those which usually attended first Of
fort upon the floor Of the Senate The Senators
from New York had, howeyeI, been called upon 10
debate To respond 10 ntorog and intending
act up TO his responsibilities he deemed II both proper
and necessary 10 declare frankly bis sentiments
which he would do Ia as brief manner as possible
lie regarded Il as a question iraught with conse-
quences of higher import for veal OF wo than an,
which had arisen IN his time-ono which had beer
fully and deliberately discussed and considered b,
the people and their Representatives. In It's discus
SION he should pursue the course which he had ong
nslly marked out for althoug much he had intended
To say had been said by others 1t Questionable In
hI- mind whether Il would aid or confuse him most.
i lis order Of arrangement was somewhat different
fiom any which had been presented, and he hoped TO
urge some Arguments in favor Of the mt which
had not been before the Senate
! The question pending being upon the indefinite
postponement Of the Tesoutons-thus disposing o.
the whole matter-he should address himself entire y
TO the main question, and reserve all disc as
details until that question had been disposed Of and
distinct propositions should be presented
The debate had already taken an extended range
Almost every page of national international law
entan had been introduced and the Capitol had TO
sounded With passages from Vattel and Grotus Puf-
feDdort and BuIlemasue, Blackstone and Marten,
add hent and Story 10 forify o. cOnfute positions
which had been taken. The current Of history had
been followed until lost amid the mists and shadows
OF tradition. Fable, with her playful illustrations
had been made 10 perform her service and the Pan
theon OF mythology, with her groesque images, had
been uniolded
| How meagre, then, (said Mr.. d. must be the re
wsid of him who CLEANS where such hands have ga
thered the abundant harvest
| The view, however, which he proposed 10 take
was mainly Of more popular character; before pro-
ceeding to which he would briefly respond TO tn. in
IteHogatory, somewhat significantly proposed by the
Senator from Louisiana, (Mr. Barrow, and repeat
ed with emphasis by the Senator fIom Connecticut
Mr.. Huntngton,) touching the position OF New
lork upon this question-whether IL was there an is
sue at the late election and what were the opinions
oil her present chief magistrate late dising ush ed
member Of this bodyl Mr.. ID. sad his acknow ledg-
men,s due To the honorable Senators for the OPP
portunity they had afforded him ofEdeclaing the true
Posion Of the State which he in part had The honor
10 represent
He had not CHANGED to meet the distinguished indi-
Sldual, whose opinions seemed to be sought since The
question arose at the last session. and had heref Je
no means Of knowing his sentiments except so far as
reported through the public press from his public adj
dresses And from such publications he learned,
that though opposed to the details Of the treaty sub
mite at the last session. yet he was IN favor Of an
nexation, upon such terms and conditions as would
satisy his judgment. He (Mr. D. was not advised
what particular plan Preferred nor was it ptoba-
Ole that the people of hi State in selecting local
Chief magistrate in whom they had confidence had
regard to his opinions if known, upon the details Of
measure with which he could have no official con-
nection OF relation. But while he did not pretend
that the mere details Of any plan were determined by
the result Of the late election in that State he was
confident his respected colleague would bear him wit
ness that the general question Of annex alton const
tued one OF the main issues which were there tried
and decided by the people.
ere were two mighty armies ranged and mar
shfi. under the names of their distinguished cham
2" as ruggiog for mastery, as if for life in the
geat battle OF the age. Our respected opponents,
70 .heir instincts, early placed this question in
ne foreground, and took up the issue upon which
we met, we fought, we conquered At their tremen-
dous gatherings, the banner which displayed the lone
star was robed IN mourning; the apless girl who
was lated to represent this neghboriDg sister was
clad in sable habilimens their professions marched
with funeral tread, and their orators discoursed in
tremuous voices and ugubrious tones of the blight
ing influences which would one day be shed from
that baeful star.
But with us (said MIR. d. how changed the pic
lure On every banner the lone star shone out re-
splendent, The farest village maiden, robed in vir-
gin white, and adorned with chaplets of flowers was
hailed as the emblem of this youthful sister Annex
alton was upon the lip of every orator, and was in
yoked IN speech and song Ii stood out in bold relief
from the columns OF the pressit high upon The
enthusiastic shouts of the young and was approving
" debated by venerable and hoary -headed men
Nho then, shall say that in this great trial before the
highest earthly tribunal this question was not in issue
was not decided
But why recount the history of this wholesome
conflict OF opinion, which is engrayen on the tablet
oil every heart, and written as it were, with pencil
OF hght upon the history of our country's popular
triumphsi
Mr. d. said he would, for few moments, notice
the territory proposed TO be annexed-its relative To-
catlon, It's physical and political condition-for the
purpose OF seeing whether there was any Just cause
Tor the alarm and CONSERVATION which some seemed
10 suppose should attend it,
IL was bounded eastwardly by two States of this
Unlon-Louisiana and Arkansas southwardIy by the
Gull OF Mexico; westwardly by the Rio del Norte
extensive deserts, and almost impossible mountains
as significant as if traced like the decalogue by the
hnger of the Almighty and norlhwardly by our
western territory containing according to Kennedy
It's historian $4,000 square miles It's soil and eli,
mate were described by the same author, as follows
The soil of Texas presents three distinct natural
aspects, by which it is divisible into correspondent,
number OF regions, districts the plain or level
he unduating or rolling, and the mountainous or
billy.
The prevailing character of the soil of the level
region OF Texas is a rich alluvon-singularly free
IRON those accumuations of stagnant water which
combined with a burning sun and exuberant vegeta,
uon, render large proportion Of the southern parts
Oh the United States little better than sckly deser,
The porous character Of the SOIL the gradual eleva
ton OF the level lands towards the interior and the
general rise OF the banks from the beds of the streams
preclude the formation of swamps to any injurious
extent
"The rolling or unduating region forms the lar
gest OF the natural divisions of Texas. North and
northwest Of the level section lying between the Ss-
blne and San Jacinto rivers the oauntry unduIates
towards the Red river The thickly timbered lands
extend quite to the Red river and as far to the west
as ine drawn due north from the heads Of the Sa-
bine. wide belt of rolling and thiny wooded prai
RE extends westward of this line along the margin of
the Red river o. -