Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1845-02-05
Y,.b,ered ~ Mc House IF Representatives.. u s,
Jan. 8. 1915

.;n0 If the committee, addressed the House IN OPP
position to the joint resolution.
He said that if thore any question which
.nneo,ed To the members of that House, as Amer
;cans and as patriots, to discard from their MINDS
every yestigo of partizan feeling, this was such
question. 1t roso far above all party vows ana
=, rtv ends. and involved in its decision conse-
ruences seriously affecting tho integrity of the
rons,tu,ion, and tho perpetuity OF the Union.
And here in tho outset of his remarks, no must
be permitted to express his sincere regret, that
the gentleman from Ala bama, who addressed tho
committeo on Yesterday, (Mr. lancey,) whiio
deprccating, with zeal and eloquonce but rarely
witnessed upon that floor, the intrusion of party
.n;r;t into debate of this character. had not seen
nroper 10 conform his own course TO tho prccepts
which bo defined for the government Of others.
Tho gentleman would have better attcstcd his
sincerity, and furnished stronger evidence Of bis
own exemption from tho feelings ola partiznn, if
no had spared an appeal to tho snccrs and sar-
casms upon his political opponents with which nc
had seen proper to garnlsh his speech
shall not (said Mr.. 81 undertake to follow
that gentleman in his discussion Of tho acts OBJ
;ects Of the Hartford Convcntioa waste tho
t;me of tho committee in rcfutng tho stale charge
Of Federalism which ho has attempted 10 cast up
on the political party with which | am ossociated.
The chairman of tho Committee on Foreign
Affairs (Mr. c. J. lngorsol) in opening tho de-
crease of public sentiment in favor of tho anncxa-
ton of Texas within tho last year. lie informed
u.s. what every on this floor knows TO be true,
that if this proposition had been submitted 10 a
vote hero ono ycar ago, it would havo been
iectod by an overwhelming minority. Yes. Mr..
Chairman, the gentleman from icnnsy ivanta has
told us truly, that year ago. tho annexation
of Texas to this Union found but few advocates.
The sentiments tho feelings, tho wishes and tho
judgments of tho American people wcro ogainst
it. Tho hope Of its annexation. # cherished at
ali, only existed with portion Of the people Of the
South. Now, sir, those who have tho tirmncss 10
stand up and give uucranco to those sentiments.
which but ono wear ago were tho sentiments OF
the great body oft American people. do it ut
tho hazard of being branded rs traitors to their
country, and enemies to its prosperity.
How is this change to be accounted for! What
has produced such revolution in public scnti-
mcnt! What new lights havc boon brought to
bear upon this question: which have created such
marvellous popularity for measure which. bat
short timo since, was an object of aversion!
Sir, there is mystery in all this. It presents
but another and striking instance of the rrcsisi-
bic influence Of party spirit and party disc-
pine. Tho appliances party have been brought
to bear upon this question. Tho annexation Of
Texas has boon Incorporated into the Democratic
creed. Tho "Lono Star has found placo upon
tho Democratic banners. Tho faithful have
been invoked to como up 10 tho rescue. while the
doom of tho traitor has been denounced upon all
who Ellter wavor in their support of this
article in tho Domoc ratio confession Of faith.
The history Of tho last fifteen vcars has furnished
US striking evidence Of the power and influence Of
party spirit in shaping public opinion upon poli,i
cal questions.
There arc numerous objections which present
themselves 10 my mind against the annexation of
Texas, portion Of which | shall now proceed to
IL ho Ia Tor
inc them all. in the brief timc allotted mo by the
rules of tho House, or to present my views upon
any Of them as fully as should desire.
Those who advocate this measure, belong to
that class of politicians who contend that the
Federal Government is Of limited powers
who denouncc with great zeal what thcy term q
Authoritarian construction Of tho Constitution;
and who deny to Congress tho right to exercise
any powers except such expressly delega-
ted by that instrument. 1t is by thom that the
night OF Congress to appropriate money for inter
nal improvements has been dcncd-that the pow
or of improving rivers and channels of trade
and commerce has been questioued-that the ve-
toes of tho Maysvie road bill. Of the appropra-
ton for the Wabash river. and of the Eastern har
Dor b at tho last session of Congress, have
been sustained and offended. Thcv can see no
power III the Constitution, conferred upon Con-
gross, TO deveope tho resources of the country
by Improving It's rivers and harbors, or bv facil-
tatIng trade and intercourse between its diifercn,
parts. They dcnounco as latitudinarian con-
structlonists Tor urging upon Congress the exer-
Csc OF this important power; and vet with MI
their anxiety to preserve the rights of the States,
and 20 confne this Government to the exercise of
tho powers conferred by the Constitution. thov
ask that Congress shall assume the importan,
power OF adding foreign nation to our own.
Under what provision Of the Constitution is il :
Iu'ended That this important power is conferred?
We arc referred to that provision which author-
zes Congress to admit new States into the Union
no history or Tho Constitution. It's exposition by
.'Ose VINO assisted IN its formation. the whole {
,bo anu spur" OF the instrument. tho action of
'o'n'ileht under It. md the opinions of our
. nos eminent statesmen all conspre to show tha,
Gus Gus clause was only intended to confer upon
~, S1ngress The power of admitting new States crea-