Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-02-26
Frii0y, EJruayy 81.
In SENATE.

IN SENATE.
After the usual morning business had been
transacted
Mr.. Aliens resolution proposing 10 change the
hour for taking up the special order OF the day
from one to twelve, being under discussion
Mr.. MILLER deprecated any alteration in the
hour. A great mass of general business had
still 10 be acted upon, and he thought Two hours
in each day was as little time as could properly
be devoted TO that object There would then re-
main four hours in each day for the consideration
OF the subject of Annexation.
Mr.. WALKER stated, that it had been asccr-
lained there were eighteen Senators who wished
10 address The Senate on The subject Of Annex
alton. This being the case, il would be impos-
sible that the debate should be brought To ter
mination, even during the whole short rema Under
OF The session. unless the discussion of this ques-
lion was commenced at an earlier hour than al
present. In his opinion the whole of what was
called the morning business, was not Of SO much
importance as The important subject now forming
the special order Of The day.
The amendment was then adopted, and the de-
bate on the special order will hereafter commence
at IL o'clock.
ANNEXATION or TEXAS.
The joint resolution from The House, for the
Annexation ofTexas, being under consideration
| MIR. SIMMONS resumed The observations
which he commenced yesterday. He examined
The constitutional ground assumed yesterday BY
the Senator from Georgia, and made an elaborate
argument deduced from his view OF The Consti-
tuition, in opposition to The annexation Of Texas
upon the principles ofthe joint resolution passed
by the House OF Representatives In 1887 Tex
as applied for admission into the Union. There
was in his opinion, much in the mode OF annexa-
lion then proposed which was preferable 10 The
En( tboC 10 sod thp
sily for haste in this matter, arising from any
interference with the question by England: she
had denied all inclination TO interfere and ne be-
leved her. and, if she did violate her word she
was responsible nation, and might be held TO
account A the views he could take ofihe qllrs-
ton seemed TO point out the propriely OF neSotia-
lion as preliminary step He examined The
Joint resolution received from the House Of Re-
representatives., and strongly deprecated its adop-
lion. He denied that Texas was knocking al
our door for admission. This is made case,
10 operate upon the decision OF Congress There
is no application of the kind. Texas may desire
annexation with US, but there is no evidence OF it
in the shape Of any application on her part.
The resolution cannot be adopted without
violation of the Constitution. MIR. JcilerSons
opinions had been quoted with respect TO the ad-
mission of new States, and his competency as an
authority had been denied. Mr.. ). advocated
Mr. Jeifersons competency, and paid great re-
spect 10 his opinion. Sympathy for Texas may,
and ought TO be felt bur those who had volunlari-
" gore out from the land OF their BIRTH and made
Texas their home, have no claim upon US TO en-
danger the well-heng of the country by extend
ing 10 them our assistance. We were not bound
10 leopard the peace of the United States to pro-
mote the good ofany foreign people whatever: IL
The annexation of Texas was really desired by
the people Of The United States, that annexation
could be effected By safe, honorable and coDst-
tutional means lie did not regard the resolution
before the Senate as conducting to that result by
such means.
Mr.. hEREICK said he had lahored long and
earnestly 10 arrive ut correct view OF The ques-
ton before the Senate; buthe was afraid The con-
illusions he had arrived at, and the opinions be
should declare, would not prove acceptable 10
many of his friends on that floor.
He argued that the Constitution gave to Con-
gress the power 10 admit Texas into tie Union
in the mode now proposed and under discussion.
IIe quoted very largely from an argument OF Lu-
Their Martin. in favor Of The opinions he was adj
vocating. He denied the paramount authority
OF the trealy-making power; it was merely an
auxiliary, a subordinate power, granted not 10
control or abridge the power Of other branches
of the Government, but 10 aid and assist them
The great object in establishing the reaty-ma-
king power was, 10 provide for secrecy, security
and despatch in Inc prosecution ot negotiations
| with foreign Governments, and not any desire TO
prevent an abuse OF power on the part OF Con-
gress. The lreay-makins power was not neces-
sary 10 the passage OF the resolution now before
the Senate, nor would il be infringed BY its adop-
tion.
The Joint resolution on the table was not
treaty. nor would the passage Of it by the Senate
he an infringement Of the Constitution either in
letter or spirit; but would be in accordance with
the practice Of the Government, from the esta-
blshmrnl Of the constitution 10 The present mo-
ment.
Nature had pointed out the propIieiy ofanneI-
inc Texas 10 the Uuon. No one could look
upon the map Of Texas without percelving ms
| lie argued the commercial cxpediency ofthe pro-
posed union with Texas.
EIe considered that the principal ground OF OPP
position to this measure was, whether slavery
Should have the power of expanding itself, or
whether il was 10 be shut up and cramped within
IFS present bounds, until, by the natural results,
the section of country where slavery existed would
moi be safe for white man 10 reside IN, and must
be given up TO the possession OF the African race.
He could not, as Southern man, as Mary
lander, as Representative OF The people OF Ma
ryland. State which had The institution OF sla-
verv in her bosom. II the moment when he
should give his vote in favor OF Ibis resolution
should prove the last of his existence, be felt that
he could not spend j, better than by so employ
ing il. He should thus, he thought best provide
for the general security and welfare OF the coun,
"1M Mr. HUNTINGTON commenced his obser-
yations by replying TO the Senator from Georgia
and defended the people Of the non-siayeholdins
States from the imputations cast upon Them
Mr. CoLQUITT said, that he had not said
any thing against the patriotism Of the people Of
the North; but he had said, and did say, that the
real opposition OF the Northern people 10 annex
alton arose from the question oil slavery. how
ever the constitutional question might DC raised
here, this was the question at home:
MIR. HUNTINGTON replied that he wished
J to say what he had to say in temper OF proprie