Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-02-11

mission would be finally adopted. Hence, II
conld not specify The particular mode, Dut ue-
clared in favor OF annexation with The least pos-
sible delay. .s J..
The following resolution was next offered oy
the Republican party:
aResolred That The admission oil le3as on
the conditions and guarantees Sc, 0 If Renre.
senatives on the 25ih day OF January, 1919, ana
cent TO The Senate of the United States Tor It's
concurrence in the opinion of the General AS,
semby are Just and proper, and Will DC approved
by the people"
This resolution is definite and comprehensive.
1t declares the admission of Texas by JOINT reso-
luton Constitutional mode, and just and pro-
per, and approves the conditions and guarantees
of the Joint resolution now pending before the
Senate of the United States for its concurrence.
| To This resolution, Mr. Witcher moved the
following as an amendment ;,
"Ecsoircd bvhc Gcaeyal assembly OF Virginia,
That il is their deliberate opinion, that large
majority OF the people OF Virginia desire me I'M
mediate annexation Of Texas TO the United states
bv any lawful and Constitutional mode; and that
the conditions and guarantees SET iortn IN tEe
Joint resolution, passed by the House OF Repre-,
senla,ives and sent to the Senate OF the United
States for its concurrence in the opinion Oh inns
General Assembly are just and proper, ana VIII
1
blv however, forbearing 10 express any opinion
| ms 10 the Conslitutionality Of annexation by the
| mode of Joint resolution Of the two Houses ol
Congress-"
The entire Wing party voted for THIS as an
amendment, and, excepting three, sustained II as
an independent proposition. what does thal re-.
solution declare, and what do the Wing party al
firm by its passage
1st They affirm unanimously, that a fdrSema'
ior,iv of the people of Virginia desire the imme-
diale annexation of Texas by anyMfrj"t I'IH con-
qIuiioual g,odr. The broad and comprehensive
declaration is, that large majU1ty ~ me peopie
If Virgin,a are for immediate anncTat,on-aioc,
at the present time, Immediately, and BY "any
Io,,f,I nnd coasitnfional mode"-Not BY treaty
mol by Joint resolution aone-but using the
most impressive and significant word IN our Ian
ouaoe ibey say: ann iavfW and constitutional
mode" The people want Texas united imme-
dialclv. and in any lawful mode In this opinion
the Democratic party in the Legislature imam,
nously concur. Here, then, is common ground
of union between both parties. All agree, mat
the people OF Virginia, by large majority, de-
4 sire immediate annexation in any lawful mode
ID. The Wing party affirm, that the conditions
and guarantees set forth in the joint resolution
which passed the House of Representatives, an.
nexing Texas, 'tare just and proper, and will be
approved by the people" In this declaration, the
Democrats of both Houses unanimously concur
To this extent both parties unite and present an
undivided front. They assert, that large MAORI
~ the people of Virginia desire immediate an
nexalion, and that the terms of Browns resolu-
lion are Just and proper. No objection is raised
b. any person TO the terms, conditions, llmita'
lions or guarantees set forth in the Joint resolu-
rion-no person denies that large majority OF
The people are in favor OF immediate annexation
bv any lawful mode But here comes the i'm
passable gulf II is known, that Senators Archer
and Riyes have scruples about the constitu-
,ionaity of annexing Texas by joint resolution
and therefore Mr. Wtcher thinks it is best 10 leave
the Virginia Senatorsto Judge ofthe Constitution
ality-and the resolution concludes with this mi
SCRABBLE trucking proviso: "This General As
sembly however forbears 10 expressany opin-
ion as to The consitulionality OF annexation By
the mode of a joint resolution oil the Two Houses
OF Congress"
Mr. Wiicher's resolution is carried by strict
party vole-cvery Democrat refusing to vote for a
proposition framed SO as TO shield Senators who
have determined in advance TO raise the constllu-
tonal objection. 1t is impossible TO avoid this
concusion-The facts speak too plainly Tor de-
ception Many OF the Wings asserted, in dis
cussion, that they had no constitutional scruples;
they were satisfied with the mode, the conditions
and guarantees they knew the people desired no
DELAY in annexation. But their individual OPT
Mons must give way; the sovereign will and ma
iesty Of the people must bend, and bow and fall
before the toItuous and shifting course of two
selfish and refractory Senators The voice Of
the people is 10 have no weight; Texas is TO
be rejected and lost; a territory larger than
France with d soil more fertile than the valley
Of the Nile, and climate more salubrious than
Italy ilsclf-bringing strength power and safety
10 The South-arrestng the wild progress Of
| ,,r f;cic,,, IL
" and glory to our noble Union-spreading the
ample folds Of our star-spangled banner once
more over this dismembered portion OF our splen-
did empire-all, all 10 be lost, for fear OF embar
RAISING two Virginia Senators The embers OF
analcisln are 10 be stirred, the fame to be famed,
the Missouri Compromise, with all It's ominous
and portentous results, is once more 70 agitatc, if
no, to rend asunder, the bonds of union. Talk
not To us Of embarrassing Senators, when North
ern States have denounced annexation. because
il "exlends and perpetuates slavery" They may
nstruct-they may denounce slavcry-they may
threaten disunion-resolve treason-bid defiance
10 The South-but Virginia, poor Virginia, alas,
how are the mighty fallen dare hot ask, will
not request her Senators TO vote Ter annexation
which large majority OF The people desire imme-
diately-and on terms and conditions which are
just and proper, and approved by all
The next resolution in course was offered by
Mr. Edmunds Of Halifax, in these words:
"Resolred, That onr Senators be instructed TO
vote for the joint resolutions which passed The
House Of Representatives on the 18th day OF
January, 1915 and was sent TO the Senate for It's
concurrence, providing for the admission oil le1as
as State into the Union"
This brought the practical issue before the
House Of Delegates in plain words. II spoke 10
these words 10 The Wing PARTY: "Gentlemen-
you say the people, BY large majority, want
Texas Immediately the terms Of the joint
resolution are Just and proper, and will be ap-
proved by the people-and large number OF you
have declared in your places, that The mode was
constitutional and proper-tel your Senators 10
vote for Texas, and obey the wishes oil the peo-
pie" But no-you must not instruct virginia
Senators Our Senator Archer scorns instruc-
lions. Party tactics are resored 10 Tor The pur-
pose Of evading vote, and cutting oil discussion.
"Mr. Watts moved the previous question"
"hlr. Lanier moved the House adjourn"
The motion 10 adjourn was lost by large
majority and the previous question sustained;
and Mr.. Edmunds' resolution lost BY the follow
ing vote: ayes 60-evcry Democrat voting for il,
and Whiss-noes G6-all Wings!
Mr. Edmunds Of H., then moved the follow
ing resolution:
aPcsolrcd 6v TIC General assembly Of Virginia
That the admission OF Texas as a State into ihi;
Tp,< 10. 80, e N
OHioH, ny JOINT IeSOlulioIi - CoHSti'utoho' a'iu
this General Assembly approves that mode O.
admission"
Party tactics operating upon drilled majority
are again brought into play 10 avoid commlttal-
and evade manly expression Of opinion.
"Mr. Preston moved an adjournment. Mr
Dcnison called the ayes and noes. Motor
lost-yaes 62 noes g."
"Mr. Garnet (Whig) at once made another
motion TO adjourn. Mr. Sturm (Dem) called
the ayes and noes Motion carried; ayes &c
, all Wings; noes 60-every Democrat and
Wings"
Thus, the expression Of direct opinion upor
the consttutionalily was defeated in the Hous'
of Delegates by two successive motions 10 ad
: journ, Immediately following each other.
The Resolutions, as amended, were sent TO th
Senate for its concurrence. In the Senate, Feb
3, Mr.. Wallace lDem.) moved to strike ont tha