Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1845-02-14

time, and upon another bill the disputed ques-
ton whether that authority was to be- found
in the Legislative department of this govern
ment, as we'll as in the power to make treaties.
All must agree that the power TO ertend our
atUs over territories, at or after the time of ac-
curing them, was Legislative power, and be-
longed to Congress, and to Congress alone.
We might acquire territory by treaty; but the
1aTs could not be enacted nor put in force over
the new territory so as to nnner 1t, whatever
the treaty might say, except Congress Shouiu
pass them.
Then. he asked, il all the friends OF moor
porating Texas ought not TO vote togelher IA
declaring, by the mandate OF la" ogore"a''o'
that, whenever Texas should De dcqu.Fea or
ceded by valid compact, to be ratlhed by
the competent or supreme auIn0,i"eS ol
both governments" thencefolth the laws for
governing and protecting the same shall be In
force, &c.
More might be done; and after this first
step had been taken, he hoped more would be
done-done now, " Immediately as
soon as it could be done constitutonalIy, PTl-
IDENTIFY, harmonlousIy, according to the INFER:
ests Of our own republic and the sense and
opinion of a majority. But to do less than
this, would be a practical surrender OF the
cause of annexation By It's oo0n friends, 1t he
might not characterize it as an Instance CT that
fatal obstinacy in politicians, which will not
allow us to do what we can do, because we
cannot do moro IS Immediately" or because
one or another cannot have everything exactly
as he wishes, and in the precise form he may
have prescribed.
That it was competent for such law 10 be
enacted now so as to take effect heFeGteT'
would not be denied. If denied, he should
be prepared, at any moment, TO demonstrate
that it was entirely consistent with the con-
stitution. But he would not extend his re-
marks by anticipating objections which were
not we'll founded; but, assuming that the
power was clear, he would, in short summa-
~, exhibit some Of the reasons why he had
thought that new efforts to acquire Texas,
should be PRECEDED by legislative as
sent 10 her annexatonA-viZ: to tie e1tense0n
of our h,vs and protection oUer Teas oChen &C.
CURED. If he showed that, he would have
proved the necessity for passing his BILL
First, then. he thought we ought to do it, be-
because, in the view Of some, it was necessa-
ry to give this precedent assent, and no one
could furnish a plausible objection to 1t. Next
it ought to be done as a matter Of policy in
our domestic politics, simplifying, as it would,
our future discussions, avoiding false issues,
question in this shape and public representa-
tives, who were in favor of annexation, might
vote all together, and no one would be driven
to oppose the bill for annexation on account OF
any other collateral questions, and for that
reason, only expose themselves to the false
clamor of " hostiIity to Texas"
That it was no reflection upon any ones in
tegrity, to believe it was more than probable
after such declaration by the majority in ia.
vor of annexation, that many individuals would
more readily defer to the opinions of others
upon bill or other proposition to fix the nsod'
and manner of ACQUIRING tie territory
Indeed, it was due to the enlightened patriot
ism Of such as hight be opposed to annexa
ton, to say that, the question of annexation
being once decided by the vote of a maj ority
he believed there were many who, though
honestly and sincerely adverse to it, yet, tina
question out of the way, would at once lenC
their untrammelled assistance, by fair discus
sion and wise delberatlon, upon the remain
ing question about the legitimate mode of &C.
quiring Tras. And probably we should wit
ness, what he should welcome with joy, a full
and frank debate by the statesmen of our coun.
try upon great national questions, conducted
in spirit of catholic patriotism, free of acer'
bity and strong bias, and elevated above the
arena Of mere partisanship; and certainly such
questions demanded such a debate. Next, he
thought it ought to be done because it was
due to Texas anu to her position. A question
of honor, was point to be settled IN evGry
Senator's bosom, by simple appeal to tina
tribunal, not by arguments. bare narrative
of facts, within the knowledge of every one
should be the only means he would adopt 70
presenting exactly such an appeal to the Sen
ate. Then each mans bosom would answe
whether it was not due from the honor Of ou
country. 1t would be recolected that Texas
applied to this government for admission int
the Union, and was repealed. Afterwards thu
President Of the United S3Gtes-he who was
officially the mouth of the nation to speak, anC
the ear of the nation to hear all foreign pow
ers-proposed to Texas to renew her applica
ton; but Texas declined it unless there was
certainty of acceptance and Texas assign
ed as Il reason for this, that, although thu
Union might be very agreeable, another refu
sal on our part would greatly injure and seri
ous!y embarrass her. After all this, our gov
eminent, thro' its authorized officers, courted
coaxed, and he might add, threatened the re
public Of Texas into renewal of her offer
still it was not made until Texas was assure,
that means had been taken to learn the fact
and 1t was confidently believed, (f not ascer
tained) that the Senate of the United State
would ratJy The treaty of annexation. II
most unaffected sincerity, he could decIar
that he alluded to these well-known incident
as important facts for his argument, and in NJ
spirit of censure-not al all. He could no
approve oft, of course; but he did not men
ton it for condemnation. His eye was now
alone upon the fnture-for his country. The
treaty was made upon these overtures Of ours
but it was rejected by the Senate, and Texas
had been left to take the consequences of he
mistaken reliance upon the assurances of gu
government. Nor let it be said CONTINUED
MIR. H. that the Senate was free of blame il
this: our skirts were not altogether clear of it
He by no means meant to say the Senate hat
Intentionally deceived Texas very far from
it: he knew il did not. Yet The circnmstan