Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-02-18


admission of new State into the Union is ex-
Pressy conhded To Congress by the Constitution.
power SO important and so necessary TO the
welfare oflhe Union, was never intended BY The
trainers OF the Constitution 70 be committed 10 M.
hands OF The Executive and Senate; but for The
wisest OF purposes was COMMITTED 10 the whole
legislative body Are yOs, Sir, so much Of an
aristocrat in theory as 10 maintain, that il wa.
safer 10 commit this vast and important power 10
The merchandising, Instead Of the legislative de-
pariment! Surely, surely, you cannot be. will
vouch that you are not. Where then is 10 be
found The constitutional difficulty 10 the admission
OF Texas into this Union as a State as proposed
by the Joint resolution OF The House Of Represcr-
tatlvesi The language impaning to Congress The
power TO admit new States into the Union is As
plain, as SIMPLE and as emphatic as the English
language could possibly make il, and seems 10 me
to be too clear and decisive 10 be whitfield away by
the Ingenuity OF criticism, or arts OF sophistry.
what is It's language So far as relates 10 The
power OF admission, il is simply this "Ne,c Stats
may DC admitted By the Congress into Lhis onion.
Now, Sill, what could bY more simple, more plain or
more comprehensive than this? It gives clearly
and decisively, 10 Congress The power 10 receive
new States; but does not designate whether these
new States shal be received from territory agiMtn
or ariihon The Then territory of the United States
II Inc Constitution does not impose this restric-
!lon, from what other source can il be imposed
Now, Sir, put II 10 you-and, as an American
statesman, acting upon those noble and loiiy
views which should ever characterize the Repub.
lican Representative, call upon you 10 point out
The clause OF the Constitution restricting the cx-
ercise OF this vas, and important power TO terrific
/ ~ within the limits Of the then United States.
for u Il was not then restricted 10 territory within
the limits of tie United States, il cannot now
be- Where is the clause where the sentence /?
where the single word If you cannot find
/! il The articles OF the Constitution itself, where
else will you look for il? In the deba,cs
which attended the formation Of the Cons,i-
tuition !? This will, also, fail YOU The debates,
as reported by the immortal Madison, prove, that
This power was intended TO be LETT without res,rc-
lion, except in the patriotic discretion of a free
and liber,y-loving people. This very restriction
was stricken from this clause of the Constitution
as originally reported from committee. II, then,
the Constitution ITSELF and The debates which lei
10 It's adoption, TAIL in imposing this restrictions,
all other sources must fail, and this question be-
come, as il should be, question OF diScretion.-
But, suppose The restriction did exist, what woIld
be the consequence? Why, Sir, that no State
should have heen, and never could be admitted
into the Union, beyond the limits of The United
States as they existed at the time OF the adoption
conquest or purchase, could ever be erected into
new States and admitted into the Union bus
must always remain in a state or territorial de-
peDdence. Doyou really believe Sir, that our wise
and sagacious ioreiathers, who framed this noble
nstrument-ths charter oflibeny intended 10 con-
fine the free and independent States, which should
constitute this Union, 10 these narrow bounds and
hold territorial subsection any territory whichlhe
conquest of the sword, or a fair and honorable
purchase should throw into our possession =
Or, would you rather think, that viewing the IN
crease OF our population. and the probable al
vance OF our Tree institutions, far beyond the
limits OF our own territory, they impaired this
very power to Congress to enable US todraw into
our circle of free States all such as should pre-
sent themselves with free institutions and Re
publican Constitution II the view Of those Who
insist upon this restriction he sound, is it not as
much your bounden duty 10 insist upon the eS-
clusion of Louisiana, Arkansas and Missouri
from the Union, as the rejection of Texas; for they
are in the Union, in violation OF the Constitution.
and not therefore lesitimatey embraced =
Louisiana was Foreign Territory when tho
Constitution was Adopted, and its after acquisition
cannot alter the principles oil the Constitution
These States are either in the Union conslitu-
lionally, or they are intrudcrs, coming in violation
Of that sacred instrument and should be ihrus,
out. If they are in constutionaly, then all con-
stitutional scruples as TO Texas are removed.
Upon the expcdency Of this measure, will
not say one word 10 YOU need only refer you
TO yonr own able and unanswered and unanswer.
able argument Of the last session of Congress. |
had as well attempt 10 add an additional tint 10
the beautiful hues, which give beauty and bril-
liancy 10 the bow that is spread upon the eve
ming cloud; or add additional lusirc 10 the brilliant
rays of a clear noon-day Sum- as 10 attempt 10
add any thing 10 the speech referred TO. Sir, in
all sincerity, and with the kndliest feelings,
commend that unsurpassed performance 10 your
re-peruSal and reconsideration; and when you
have again read it, | would in all humility ash
YOU taking into consideration the events and in,
dications which have succeeded its delivery, con-
firming its conclusions-can you-will you hesi-
late? repeat the question, as an American, rs n
Southron and a Virginian, can yon-irM gov hs-
sitate? The people OF The Union, the people Of the
South and the people OF you own native and be-
loved Virginia, are for ii, and call upon you 10
reflect their opinions; will you-can you turn
deaf ear 10 their enlreaties, and refuse 10 grant
them that boon, which, as their representative,
they have a right to demand al your hands.
The interest which Great Britain takes in this
question, and the zeal displayed BY the hearlles>
and blood-thirsty fanatics Of the North, shonid
warn you Of the designs of these enemies OF our
peace and prosperity, and OF the danger which
movers around us, ana SHOULD arouse di !oui enei-
gies and all your vigilance TO turn il aside. The
political atmosphere is stormy and threatening,
requires all the sagacy, all the wisdom, all he
patriotism and all the lirmncss OF our statesmen
10 turn it aside, and avert lis ruinous effects Sir,
the eyes Of your country are upon you: Will you
disappoin their fond hopes Answer, Sir, 10
your God, TO Your country, TO poserily and To
liberty Will you be Caesar, or will you be Caio1
VIII you be for your country, or for your parys
That's the question
C,b IN iSir a N.rtvr or atpru41Ir