Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1845-01-10
Mr.. Gallatin on Annexation.

Mr.. Gailatin on Annexation.
The following opinion OF tho venerable Al.
Der. Gal!atin on the Consltuiionali,y of Annex.
ing Texas to this Country by Join; Rcsolu-
ton OF Congress, as proposed by Mcssrs. McDuf-
no and {. J. Ingcrsoll. can hardly fail to COM
Gland respectful attention. We copy from tho
\. Y. Tribune:
NEW Yoak. Dec. 18th, 1914.
DEAR S4R-i have received your note of YES.
terday, asking my opinion respecting tho consti
tu!iona. character of the resolution for anuoxing
Texas by legislative act. before Congress-
Had no: thai resolution boon proposed, should
not have thoug.i that there could DO a ditfarenca
OF opinion on that subject.
doubt has been suggested whether the &c.
moral Government has the right, by its sole nu-
thorlty, TO add foreign independent State 10 the
Union; and have ever been of opinion that con-
dttons might occur in treaty ratified by the Pre-
siden. and Senate, such as any binding the Uni
ted States to pay sum of nlonov, which would
require tho free assent uf Congress before such
conditions could be carried into effect. Blu; IL Is
Unnecessary on this occasion TO discuss those
questions. That now at issue is simply this: In
whom is the power of making treaties vested bv
the Constitution2 Tho United States have recoc-
nizcd tho independence OF Texas; and every
compact between Independent nations is treaty
The Constitution Of the United States declares
that 'the President shall have power. by and
with tho advice and consent of the Senate to
make trentles, provided twothirds of the Soma
tors concur This power Is no. given to Con
gress by any clause of the Constitution.
The intended Joint resolution proposes that tho
treaty of Annexation between the United States
of America and the Republic of Texas, siynod
on the 18th of April. 1914, (Which treaty is recl-
ted verbatim IN the resouion) shall, BY the SEN
ate and House Of Representatives in Congress
assembled, be declared to be the Fundamental law
of union between the said United States, so soon
as the supreme authority of the said Republic Of
Texas shall agree to the same
The Senate had refused to give its consent to
the said treaty, and the resolution declares that it
shall nevertheless DO made by Congress funda-
mental law binding the United States. 1t trans
fers to majority Of both Houses of Congress,
with the approbation Of tho President, and to
two-thirds of both Houses without his approba-
ton, the power of making treaties, which by the
Constitution, was expressly and exclusively vest
cd III the President with the consent Of two thirds
of the Senate. 1t substitutes for written Con-
stitution, which distributes and defines powers,
the supremacy, or as it s called, tho omnpotence
of British Parliament. The resolution is owl
IDENTIFY diroct and in its present shape, undis-
guised usurpat'on of power and violation of tho
Constitution.
1t would not DO difficult 10 show that it is not
less at with the spirit than with the letter Of
that sacred instrument; and that the provision
which requires the consent of two-!hirds of tho
SENATE, was intended guarantee of tho
States Rights, and to protect tho weaker apains,
tho auuse OF tho treaty making power. if vested
IN a bare ma lority. But the case appears 10 mo
so clear that would fear to obscure that which i.
seit-evident, BY adding any argument to tho sim
pie recital of the constitutional provision and of
the proposed resolution.
] have the honor to be- with hi Oh conside ration
and personal regard, dear sir, your most obcdien.
servant,
ALBERT GALLATIN.
DAVID Dudley FIELD, Esq, Now York.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The clements of strife and division IN tho
Polk ranks are gathering. The Calhoun mon
frankly admit that thew expect nothing from
Polk. Their leader, instead of soliciting Office
under the new administration. holds himself a.
loot, and In all probability will decline any office
that is rendered him in the cabinet Mr.. Calhoun
looks upon the election of Mr.. Polk as ono of the
Phenonaena of tho times, md will not consent to
hold scat In cabinet, the head Of which ia Z
OF such inferior powers. 1t is very general
l. predicted here that Mr.. Folks administration
will be in minority in the next Congress, before
that body has sat three months. The Locofoco
party will be overwhelmed by its own weight
The wings have only to adhere to their organiza-
ton, to dismiss all discussion Of the Presidential
nomination for three years to come, to be prudent,
and they will come into power in 1913, beyond
doub,.--[Cor I3nt Pat.
The Polk organ.
y washington correspondents OF Inc newark
Advertiser says
'By way of illustrating the preson, uncertain
~ of the political aspect Of affairs really en-
tertalned by the party shortly to come into pow
or. am well advised that the editors Of the Globe
recently addressed letter to the Presdent-elect,
with view to the positive certainty Of securing
TO that press the assurance of becoming the GO
vernment paper. and that the reply to the same
was any thing but satisfactory. Hence the ap-
parent silence Of the Globe IN the cause Of Mr..
Polk.
Further, feel so founded in my Information
as to state that some of the friends Of Mr.. Polk
arc now in treaty for the purchase of the Madi-