The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-03-04


| 1 regard the question OF annexation ss belonging
exclusively 10 the United States and Texas. They
are independent powers, competent TO contract and
foreign nations have right TO interfere with them,
" 10 take exceptions TO thSr reunion. Foreign
powers do seem appreciate The true character
Of our government. Our Union Is confederation
| Of independent States, whose policy is peace with
each other and all the world To enlarge It's limits,
is To extend the domDions OF peace over additional
territories and increasing millions Inc world mas
nothing 10 fear lfon military ambilon IA our gov
eminent. While the chief magistrate and Tho popu-
lar branch Of Congress elected Tor short terms
BY the sursges OF those millions who must, IN their
own persons, bear all the burdens aud miseries OF
war, our government cannot be Otherwise than pa
oihc Foreign powers should, therefore, look on the
annexation OF Texas 10 the United States, not as the
conquest OF nation seeking 10 extend her dominons
by and violence, but the peaceful acquisition
| of a territory once her own by adding another mem
Der to our confederation with the consent OF that
nember-thereby dimnishing the chances Of war,
and opening to them new and eyer-increaslng mar
kets for their products
| To Texas, the reunion is important, because the
trong protecting arm Of our government would be
extended her and the vast OF her fer
tile soil and genial climate would be speedily develop
ed while the safety OF New Orleans and Of our
whole southwestern frontier against hostile aggres-
sion, a. we'll as the interests OF the whole Union,
| would be promoted by Il
In the earlier stages of our national existence the
opinion prevailed with some, that our system OF con-
fed Grated States could not operate successfully over
extended territory, and serious objections have, at
different times, been made to the enlargement Of our
boundaries. These objections were earnestly urged
when We acquired Louisiana. ExpoI fence has shown
that they we're not well founded. The title OF nu-
merous Indian tribes TO vast tracts Of country has been
| extinguished New States have been admitted into
| the Union. New Territories have been created, and
| our jurisdiction and laws extended over them. As
our population has expanded the Union has been
| men ed and strengthened. As our boundaries have
been enlarged, ald our agricultural population has
been spread over large surface, our iederauSe sys-
ten has acquired dditionsl strength and security.
| Il may well be doubted whether il would not be IN
greater danger OF overthrow, n our present popua-
ton we're confined To the comparatively narrow lin
is Of the original thirteen States than II Is, that
they are spaisey settled over more expanded ter
| ntory II 10 confidently believed that our system
may be safely extended TO the utmost bounds OF our
territorial limits; aud that, as shall be extended,
the bonds OF our Union, go far from being weakened,
will become stronger.
None can fail TO the danger to our safety and
future peace # Texas remains independent State,
or becomes an ally or dependency OF some foreign ma
ton more powerful than herself l. there one among
our citizens who would not prefer perpetual peace
| with Texas, 10 occasional wars, which so often occur
| between bordering independent naiions2 Is there
one who would not prefer free intercourse with her,
10 high duties on all products and manufactures
|
one who would not pleie- unrestricied eommuni.
cation with her citizens, TO the frontier distractions
which must # she remains out OF the Unlon'-
Whatever is good evil in the local institutions Of
Texas will remain her own, whether annexed 10 the
| United States not None of the present States
will be responsible for them any more than they
for the local institutions OF each other They have
confederaled together for certain specified objects.
| Upon the same principle that they would refuse to
| form perpetual union with Texas because Of her
local Institutions our foretathers would have been
prevented from forming our present MON. PeIcev-
ing valid objection the measure, and many rea-
sons for Its adoption, vitality affecting the peace the
safety, and the prosperity of both countries, l shall
on ii broad principle which formed the basis and pro-
duced the adoption of constitution and not in any
narrow spirit of sectional policy, endeavor, by all
constitutional, honorable, and appropriate means to
consummate the expressed will of the people and
government Of the United States, by the
of Texas to our Union at the earliest practicable
| period.
Nor will become in less degree nv duty to as
ser and maintain, by all constitutional means, the
right of the United States to that portion Of our
| rirory which les beyond he Rocky mountains. Our
title 30 the country Of the Oregon clear and 10
quesiionable and already are our people preparing
to perfect that title by occupying it with their wives
and children. But eighty years ago, our population
was confined on the west by the Alleghanies With
in that perod-within the lifetime | might say of
some of my hearers-our people, increasing many
millions, have filled the eastern valley of the Mssts-
sippi; adyenturously assembled the Missouri to it's
| head springs and already engaged in establishing
the blessings of sel-government IN valleys Of which
| the rivers flow to the Pacific. The world beholds
the peace full riumphs Of the industry of emgrants
TO us belongs the duty Of protecting them adequately
wherever they may be upon soil. The jurisdic-
ton OF our laws and the benefits of our republican
institutions, should be extended over them in the
distant regions which they have selected for their
homes. he increasing facilities of intercourse will
easily bring the States, of which the formation in
that part of our territory cannot be long delayed,
within the sphere of our federative Union. In the
mean time, every obligation imposed by treaty or
conventional stIPulatons should be sacredly re-
spected.
In the management of our foreign relations, it will
be my aim to observe careful respect for the rights
of other nations while will be the subject of
constant watchfulnes. Equal and act justice should
characterize all our intercourse with foreign coun-
tries. All alliances having tendency to leopard the
welfare and honor Of our country, sacrifice any
one Of the national interests, will be studousIy avoid
ed; and yet no opportunity will be lost to cultivate
favorable understanding with foreign governments, by
which our navigation and commerce may be extended
and the ample products of fertile soil well as
the manufactures of our skilful artisans find a ready
market and remuneratng prices in foreign countries
In TAX ng 'care that the laws be faithfully executed"
strict performance of duty will be e1acted from all
public officers From those officers, especially who
charged with the collection and disbursement of
the public revenue, will prompt and rigid occounta-
biity be required. Any culpable failure delay on
their part TO account for the moneys inlrusted to
them, at the times and in the manner required by
! law, will in every instance, terminate the official
connection of such defauIting officer with the govern
ment.
| Although, in our country, the chief magistrate
must almost of necessity be chosen by party, and
stand pledged TO its princ,les and measures yet in
his official action, he should not be the President of
part only, but of the whole people Of the United
States While he executes the laws with an impair
tia hand shrinks from no proper responsibility and
faithfully carries out in the executive department of
the government the principles and policy those who
have chosen him. he should not be unmindfu that our
fellow-cizeDs who have differed with him in opinion
are entitled to the full and free exercise of their opin