The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-15

the subject. II had not been his design to do SO
on any subject, but the adopted in relation
TO the resolution made il necessary for him TO do
So His remarks would be Brief and confined
merely to the subject Of printing. He had been
informed, by the Oldest members Of that House,
that il was an entirely new thing here to pursue
such course the House had done; that, when
resolution from any State came up il agreea-
BILE with the ordinary courtesy on such occasions to
have il referred and printed. Any other course was
to the knowledge Of gentlemen around him, in
which 1t had prevailed. The ether day, when n
resolution was introduced from another part of the
Union, it was referred matter of course. Why,
then, should there be different course adopted In
tins particular case Why should that resolution
not receive the respectful consideration given to
those from other States of the Unonl Was for any
thing contained in the subjectmater Of the resolu
on1 II certainly could not be that, for il was not
an abstract matter that was brought up but ques
ton pending before the House, and one which regu-
arly up for discussion on the following day.
But that not ALI II was one among the respectful
resolutions which had come up from many States,
some of which had been referred Under those
circumstances, it appeared to him that it was very
unusual proceeding on the part of that body to de-
part from its ordinary course of proceeding In re-
gard to his State, he could not give silent vote
on the annexation of Texas. Any question relative
to that measure must be an important one; even
those in favor of il agree that it was an important
one, however they might differ as to details. He
did not design to go fully into the question that day
He would; however, remark, that 1t involved the
addition of very large amount of territory, and
what made it of more importance, of foreign terri
tory. The question, then, was one of very grave
nature. Phat territory never could be admitted
into the Union, if the course which was adopted at
the last session had not been resorted to. II was
well known that the joint resolutions never could
have been adopted had they been regularly passed
III hal ~ heon nspd hxyi IL
SELF it never could have been admitted; in erdsr to
effect that il was necessary to add something more
pleasant, In this point of view, the question was
an important one and also considered as question
pending before the House. With regard to the
questions which might arise in the course Of the
discussion, there were some Of grave and serious
character On the proposal of the resolution in the
last session. there was a division on the subject of
slavery. II was understood in relation to this
State, that that portion lying south Of 26o 30 should
be slave State, not, as might be decided on, and
that the portion remaining north of that line should
be free States. Now he could not approve of VIC
laton of the spirit OF that resolution.
MIR. R. read the Sth article, LIST section, Of the
annexation act
In this respect it was going against the letter. if
not the spirit, of that extract. 1t was proposed
on the basis of compromise, and on the under.
standing that a portion of the territory should
be slave State not, as afterwards to be decided
but that the other portion should not-theren con-
tanning an express prohibition of its ever being
a slave State. Further, in regard to the resolution
for the admission of Texas: there is not word on
the subject of the boundaries which to form
that State. Such was not the case with any of the
States previously admitted into the Union-in every
case boundaries being uniformly given. There was
no provision as to the population; but there was a
provision made in express terms that It should have
two members the floor of that House. Why
was that Why should they do in relation to this,
what was done in relation to no other Slater In the
present case, without any proyisonas to the ihhab-
tants, two members were allowed; whilst IN other
cases but one member was allowed until the CEN
sus was taken, in order to determine whether there
should be second. He would again repeat, that
the resolutions were not of an abstract character,
but pending before the House. Was there anything
in the form of the resolution objected to'
Here MIR. r. read the LIST joint resolution.l
He would ask, was it not question of a very Sc
rious character, and one involving considerations
to constitutional power He ready to enter into
it now, but would at another time. In the mean
tine was it not important to have it placed before
committee whence it could be returned to this body
Was il not proper to give it the ordinary courte-
sizes of the House'
Here Mr. r. read the Cd Joint resolution
That resolution, he believed, contained the opn-
ion of the people of his own State. They consider
ed themselves wronged by what had been done
there; they considered they had received an injury
in the annexation Of Texas and that their rights were
violated. They had no hostility to any portion
of the people Of this Union; nor did they desire
to interfere with the institution Of slavery great
proportion of them we're far from having desire Of
that kind They were for abiding by the constitu-
ton Of the country but could not bear to see COM
promised in its letter and spirit. Such were the
feelings of the people of Connecticut, with few ex-
ceptions, and these were allied to another party in
that House, not to his Mr.. R's party. All he had
vet to say was that he regretted much that the peo
pie Of his State had strong feeling that they were
not treated with due courtesy there, and that their
rights and opinions were not respected as they
should be; and he would observe that the conduct of
that body in denying the right ofpetition had done
more to exasperae the feelings OF the people OF that
country than gentlemen could well conceive. He
was sorry to see the paper presented the other day
relative to Texas well received, and that laid on
the table. They greatly misook their duty and the
public interest in so doing. He was not here by the
aid of party in any way; and although he was
ready to say there were many excellent men
connected with party. Yet person abomi-
mated the course pursued by il in the egisla-
ture more than he did. In relation to
the feeling existing in his Slnte in regard to the
annexation of Texas, il strong; the people
there were willing to abide by compromise and the
constitution, and respect the rights of all sections of
the country. But they were opposed to the annex
alton of Texas because they consider it an inluri-
measure and one opposed to the interests of the
people Of this country at large. few words more,
o.
gard to that matter, it better for all parties Of
that House to take mild, rather than coercve
course. No good could be gained, but much harm
done by it, 1t was not wise to exasperate them
when they came there with petition. Why, then,
should they not refer the present to committee.
The people of the North were ready and willing to
do what was right and reasonable; but they could
not be coerced At present, their feelings were SO
strong that they hardly knew what they were doing.
He could not help saying that there was OPPOSE
ton shown TO the resolution under consideration be-
ing presented, which not shown against any
other thing, and which enough to provoke them.
There was superhuity Of haughtiness on the part
Of those who opposed it.
It did not appear to him that there was grievous
mistake on this subject. He believed that the most
deplorablc consequences were likely to result from
that course Of policy the memorial deprecated. All
such procedure as at all likely to produce any
evaporation of feeling was TO be avoided--avoided
most studiously. That the true polcy-a poll
cy recommended by every consideration connected