Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-02-22
M. James LIONS aud 1tras.

We are happy TO call 10 the aid of annexation,
such resolutions as Mr.. James Lyons, Wing
of this city, would offer up as tribute 10 the
cause Of Texas. How much, how infinitely SUI
peror are they 10 the lodging, and equivocaiing
resolutions which we're proposed by the Wings
of The House of Delegates We extract the lei
ter and the proposed resolutions from yesterdays
Compiler. Praise from our lips, or from our
press is not perhaps calculated TO do Mr.. Lyons
any service in the eyes oi rahid politicians but
we should despise ourselves il we hestaied 10 do
Justice 10 The man who, on such great question,
can rise superior TO all mere party considerations.
In fact ii is great national question, and would
never have become party question: but for The
egregious blunGer of The comma nder, and the ex-
traordinary subservience OF his followers:
To he Editors Of The Times and Compier:
Much question is made about the city, az am
informed by many friends, as 10 my opinions in
relation 10 the annexation Of Texas; and the is
sue is made in the city election of Texas or no
Texas. II is proper, therefore, that my opinions
should I've placed before the people al once, in an
authentic form. must ask you 10 publish the
enclosed paper, which was prepared al the instance
Of friend, while the subject of annexation was
before the Legislature. 1t indicates precisely
what nv opinions were al the time, and for what
would have voted.
II is proper TO say, farther, that after examining
very carefully the constitutional question in
volved in the admission of Texas By joint resolu-
ton, | have moi doubt about il; and if the Peo-
pie of Richmond are determined TO elect an anti
Texas man to The Legislature, il would no, be
proper 10 elect me. For, although admit the
right OF instruction, in the general, and should
never set up my Judgment against that Of my
constituents unless in case calling for great
immolation for the sake OF the coun-
try, like Mr.. Lci2h-yet think a man is con-
emplbe who in view OF a great question pur-
chases seat in the Legislature by an agreement
beforehand 10 vote against his Judgment and con-
science-and cannot do it, though should APP
prcciale as fully as any man The honor OF repre-.
senting the People Of Richmond.
In my view, the annexation Of Texas is the
great question Of the day-the question upon
which all Southern men ought 10 he uniled-in
the issue Of which are involved the safety OF The
South, and the tranquility, il not the existence OF
the Union-and nothing can tempt me TO take
the anli-anneIation side of it. Time and space
do no. allow me TO say more except TO add, that
| hope an opportunity will be afforded me 10 dis.
cuss the question face 10 face before The People.
JAMES LYONS.
Here follows the paper accompanying MIR
Lyons letter:
ResOlred, /. That every Government possess.
ing the attributes Of sovereignty, has the right &c
acquire new territory, when it can be done peace
ably and honorably, unless restrained by its fun
damental charter.
II. That the Government OF the United States
possesses this right, and is not restrained in the
exercise OF it by any constitutional provision.
III. That the Congress Of the United States
as part Of the Government, possesses also the
right TO admit new States into the Union, upon q
footing with the old States, and upon this Ugh