Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-01-25


ton to Its trump-pessed its wits end evade the Con-
situton But it is something in history
much dsnteested ingenuity in the NATTER much baed
distustul industry work Here is said to be clear inter
hgbe purpose to State concerning which Ii
considered almost absurd doubt the constitutional power,
and concerning which, too, it loudly said the people have
issued their decree Yet what do we see Contoron,
iict, almost agony of mind, TO conve the way. We are
supplied with embryo and abortons from every quarter plans
pepeae this by evasion and equvocaton in any way
rather than by directly meeting in the mode which the
of the nation suggests the only known
our Constitution il can be done at ALL Why all this II
escape the Senate the only constitutional organ APP
prove and settle foreign negotiation.
1t is amusing to contemplate the dextery and ingenuity
wasted in this enterprise. Gentlemen have produc-
ed this House already some eight plans the
| alton of Texas. Every day brings forth one How
many are still lying in the portfolios Of members know
not The Globe Of to-day brings letter from General
Jackson this question He has noticed this SPECIFICATION
Of the House of fault with this album
Dance and gives noteworthy hint Of the necessity Of des-
patch II his opinion that do not take OF Texas
very quickly, she win take Of herself by refusing future
offers and them he nsinrate way will be left
but TO compel her to be happy by the sword This Is
rather rough woong, and something, too after the manner
of the ancient Roman 1t is, in senses than one
threat against the Sabine This crack OF the whip from the
Hermitage will doubtless produce its effect here Who, Of the
projectors these divers schemes will take the hint
and sgnalze his fealty by being the first to withdraw
Here is, first the plan Of the chairman OF the committee
MR. G. j. ISGERsoLL)-a simple expeden to ratify re-
ected treaty by joint resolution of Congress- scheme to out
the Of the Senate This seems by comment con-
sent be regarded somewhat too violent demand upon
the tender consenccs of the House, and therefore we have
many substitutes We have a substitute by the gentleman
from Ohio (M WELLER which is worth studying as spe
cmen of the art of egsaing for territory and people be-
yond jurisdiction. Then substitute from Kentucky,
CIV Mr. TIBBATrs) which take to be intended recipe
for shyng constitutional impeachment 1t Is founded on the
discovery that although cannot annex ferifory yet we
can annex foreign STATE which includes territory thus af
forng practical Illustration of wise saw, which the last
compelled &c vote upon and succeeded in
tabishng cardinal point OF Democracynamely that
Congress has power do indirectly what cannot do d
ectly That think, the very language of the resolu
ton Then the gentleman from Illinois Mr.. DoUG-
Llss with another plan Lis fulfil what he calls the guar
the treaty of 1903 by which stipulated that the
inhabitants of Louisiana should be made citizens of the Unon
and which, he arms it is duty do for the people
,f Texas Notwithstanding Ill that has happened since This
olan sir commend ingenious invention to revive one
lead treaty by angng three living oneshe treaty of 1903
against the treaties of 1872 1884, and 1888.
After these sir, we have the plan Of The gentleman from Ala
bama (Mr BELsER,3 plain direct marching up to the
question, in defiance of all opposers throwing down of the
glove to strict construction, its knights and squires Of all
these plans if were immediate annexationist-by which,
presume who goes for Texas by act of Con-
gres long the making power efusesof all these
plans, sir, should prefer this from Alabama Is frank,
manly, and to the point 1t to say, If done
when it is done, it well it done quickly" II this
deed of usupaon is to be consumated let be done with
bold face, without equvocaton, and with broad breast to
the issue ThG gentleman who proposes it is an ardent UNI
honestly believes for the good Of the country, and evil
IDENTIFY convinced that the United States and Texas
painting for the embrace His mode Of bringing them together
conceived in the spirit of the eacuaton become al
classic in language of the impatient tragic hero
g Ye gods, annhiate but time and space and make two
lovers happy Sir earnest man is always entitled to
spect when he is earnest he is honest.
Amongst these schemes shall stop to notice but
1t which Derives from the standing of its author high
claim the support of least his political friends alude
to the proposition submitted by the gentleman from Virginia,
hr DRoaGooLE There indications of more favor to
this scheme perhaps, than either of the others Ii
position Texas in the the gentleman
would have believe that Vermont into the Union
that is by authorizing the State to into the Union
certain day. upon its compliance with conditions to its
Constitution, prescribed in advance. There is be in
specon OF the Constitution by Congress before the admission
of the State Texas Judge for herself whether the
conditions Observed and, complying with these she is to
be member Of this Union on the 4th of July next Sir
believe there this floor who would
admit Iowa Florida any other State within acknow
lodged limits such The zeal for Texas outruns all
discretion, and take her upon trust which every
wouh deem discreet refuse every other portion of
Confederacy.
The gentleman from Virginia. in submitting his proposition
the House. spoke of Vermont at the time of her admission
foreign tetoy kened her to Texas, and claimed her
a precedent Sir for of his study he is
sngulary in Vermont disputed ground between
New York and New Hampshire. She claimed by both
Rejecting both she up for herself affirming her right to
make a separate member of the Confederation. This bred
long quarrel quarrel which lasted through the whole Revolu
But she was on Sides admitted to be part of the
United Colonies As such parook of the war and bore the
standard Of freedom of the best of the Re
youton She fought for the Of the Colonies and with
them conquered Whether part of New York. part Of
Meas Hampshire separate State carved out of both and
dsJwnng boh she always the loyal and active friend Of
and her full share Of the glory and of the
privilege of the Revolution The question Of her controversy
with New York and New Hampshire, and the recognition Of
her separate existence State, not settled until 79l
Being settled in that year, she then into the Union
the other Colonies had come by and adoption
Of the Constitution. If the gentleman from Virginia wishes
really follow the precedent Of Vermont the of Texas
let him recommend to Texas a short of her Legislature
rayng and approving the Constitution Of the United States
and claiming admission that Such proceeding will
enable him the point whether Texas and Vermont stand
in the same category.
Sir these Schemes conessons-contessions Of the doubt
and difficulty Of the constitutional question As hypocrisy is
said to be homage virtue is doubt homage to truth
Gentlemen suspect themselves be in the wrong, and there
fore they struggle find devices specous evasons which NAV
least to be right Now sir, doubtful powers ought
to be exercised That fundamental profession
though fundamental practice, Of modern democracy
General Jackson somewhat famous for this pecept The
powers claimed now, they doubtful Let these ten
tables let the fifty plans that Turk the brains of members
here, and not yet divuged,
propose to occupy portion OF the time Of the committee
with remarks this constitutional question We have
that should understand each other upon topic much
moment to the country
In the enumeration Of functions delegated the Federal
Government there total silence TO the power acquire
territory II such power exist therefore, only by i'm
pcnfon II be deduced from power specifically
expressed in the Constitution Mr. jefferson strict con
tructonshc founder Of schoowhich processes be hos
tile all implied powers except such Of clear and in
evabc inference He denied this power acquire territory
in unequvoca terms admitted the exercise of it, in the