The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-25
AUBURN, N. Y, July 81, 1916.

AUBURN, N. Y, July 81, 1876
To The Editor Of the Union:
DEAR Sir: A letter from Mr. George Rathbun
of the 5th, published in the "Union" of the l2h
July inst, reached here few days since. III health
alone has prevented my giving it an earlier notice
Mr.. r. has evidently replied in i'll temper to pass
ing remark of mine published in the "Unionn Of The
Both June. should not feel called upon now 10
notice Mr.. Rathbun's letter, were il not that be
boldly charges me with the assertion of an untrulh
For the purpose of vindicating the district uponh
great measure of the day. said: 'tThere can be DO
harm in having it known, that Mr.. Rnthbun was
certainly mistaken when he, last winter, intmaa
that the people of this district were opposedp
Texas
Mr.. Rathbun now inquiries when he ain,imatedn
this. Why, sir, the elimination" was spread al
over his speech in Congress against annexation. So
he has been understood by ALI and, although fire.
quently charged with it, and the 'intimationn repu
dated in the "Cayuga Patriot" he never before pre-
sumed to contradict it. Almost the first paragraph
of his speech in the House Of Representatives, Jan
%, lS45, contained this declaration: "Ths question:
(anncxaton Of Texas,) especially IN that porionefa
country from ,ehich come Is embarrassed By Difficult
ties, and mt BY objections fiery serious scegn He
speaks of 1t as 'encumbcred with considerations
which constitute formidable obsiacleo He argues
that the military advantages of annexation are h
tile; that annexation by Congress (the only paci
cable mode) is unconstitutional that sin New York
there was majority of ten thousand upon the pop
ular vote against us itl" that s'the case is precisely
like the Missouri question:" and, appealing to his
colleagues as northern men, declares, III is our con-
sfiuents ioho are TO be feared Ttpe forget them, h
feelings, opinions and interests they tcii meet us rh
scorn and contempt"
What is there in all this, but plain and broad
"intimation" ut not an assertpn) in every line, that
the feelings and opinions of his constituents in Tho
disrictand State are opposed to Texas' Mr.
will find 1t vain effort to be both sides of the qu
tion at the same fine.
He inquiries, with some emphasis, whether your
correspondent denies that there was .maiorityd
ten thousand against us on the popular vote in New
York; The votes given to Mr.. Birney and MI
Clay exceeded those given to Mr.. Polk l0,B
This is the matter to which he alludes. But | Do
deny that Mr.. Rathbun, or any other Representative
has any moral or political right to take his instrnt
tons from those who opposed his election, and thus
justify himself for tampliDg on the wishes of those
who sent him where he is, and by whose votes he
is legally elected. He is bound by their wishes and
Is estoppcd from looking among scattered minori's
for instructions 10 the contrary. His argumentfrcm
the votes of New York will not then, aid him. Such
precisely, too, is his situation in his district Ac'
cordIng TO his own argument, he has right TO rep
resent the democratic party of the district upon any
measure; for there was majority Of $40 on ue
popular vote against him ! And this, it seems, he
would make the excuse for entire independence o.
the wishes and instructions of those who elected
him. Can anything more plainly show the falacy
of his position in his letter and speech'
With Mr. RS differences with the editor Of Tie
"Union," the " Cayuga PATRIOT the President, and
the senators from New York, | have nothing TODD
They all, it seems, have sanctioned Browns resou
tons, although unconstitutional and grossly un
just to the northern portion of the Union" Bu
may express my surprise at Mr.. RS apology, hm
for lror,s
eral understanding that he did finally "ground 'ne
weapons OF his rebellion" and vote for the uhok
proposition, was all that saved him, on his return
here, from the loud expression Of that scorn anu
contempt" which he had himself invoked Bul
sur, that very amendment provided that the Presden
might, In his discretion, enter into negotiation
either in the form Of treaty, or by separate arr
cles, and submit the result to CoNcREss. Wasna
that equally unconstitutional, and equally wlng
the objections urged by the gentleman Yet
vote for ii. We had hoped honestly
But he inquiries how the issue in the district wa
made up' | can tell him. The issue was, leis
or no Texas. The republicans did not annex asl
conditions. Does he pretend they did, we ."
not go for Texas if it could be had without slavery
IL is sufficient for us, that no qualifications and @
practicable conditions were then suggested by tnT~
who took the stump in favor of the measure, OF v
the party, or by Mr.. r. himself .
The arrow which Mr.. r. aims at me, falls pom
less at my feet am no applicant for any once ~
the President, either for myself or any relatre. NY
only object was to set the district right It's vsa'
and feelings are misrepresented And, again, ~ ~.
Rathbun's letter Of the 5th instant, he has re-ai1r
ed, not only what | said he had before "niinals5
but much more. He places himself and the dlsu,,
IN opposition TO this great American measure,
passed upon and adopted by both Texas as
the United States. And / affirm, sir, that 1nf, ,
he changes his views and actions on this suCe.s
(as sincerely hope he may he twill, in due ul,f
be convinced Of his error" We desire harmony !.
action, and | regret that the member should Nv.
gone out of his way to make an assault upon u
regret still more that be should persist in placing C
democratic district in false position before w
nation,