Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1845-02-05


mount of those debts before we are called upon
10 consummate this measure Has any infor-
nation been given 10 us of their amount They
have been variousy estimated from twenty to
hundred millions. Without attempting to fix anv
estimate do not believe they amount to less than
tt,y millions. and very probably TO more. Why
have no. the authorities of the Texan Govern
ment furnished Us some statemcn.. some data, by
which We can determine tho amount Of liability
assume in The event OF annexation +! / can
account for II upon no other principlc than that
they conscious if the true an,out was known.
il would so shock the American people as to a.
rouse them against tho proposed annexation his
Information is carefully withheld from the conn-
try. and We arc called upon bndy to rush into
tins measure, without knowing tie extent of our
responsibilities until they fixed beyond tho
power of retraction.
Bt: gain, MIR. Chairman, oh oct TO the auncx-
alton of Texas, because informed Of
the existing relations between that Government
and tho Governments of Europe. What treaties.
commercial or otherwise, have been entered into
between hse and Great Britain 7 How far will
We be required 10 carry out the provisions of such
treaties /, has been assorted that Texas has
surrendered 10 England tho right o! search upon
the Whethor this IS arc uniformed.
These matters upon which tho Government of
Texas might gvo full information. That in
formation should be elvcn we should DO modo
fully acquainted with her financial condition, with
tho state of her foreign relations. with all the OBJ
legations she has assumed. and all tho concessions
she has made TO other nations. with tho full a
of her liabilities nd the fulI extent of her
rcsou rcos, Tint may know before il is too late
10 rctract tho full length and breadth of tho liza
biIi,ies assume by annexation.
como now, Mr.. Chairman, 10 speak of ques-
ton connected with this subject which know s
ono of great dolicacy. and calculated TO produce
much excitement. II is one, however, which
bound to meet, md which, for one
nm disposed to nee, firmly and promptly.
retor. sir, 70 tic question OF slavery. Tho hon
orablc chairman OF the Committee Foreign
Affairs, (Mr. &. j. lngersoll.) in the opening of
this discussion, informed US that this South
crn question. We have been repeatedly told thai
the annexation of Texas IS demandcd by the South
means Of strengthening their peculiar insti-
tutions. If, sir, il is Southern qucstionif it Is
to be carried for the purpose of strengthening tho
institution of slavery. we should know IN advance
what additional power, and weight. and influence
IS to be glvon TO TINT Institution. Numerous prop
oSilions annex have been subrnited.yet they all
leave this question open. The friends of Texns
dosre to leave this matter unsettled until annexa
ton is completed. Will il be safe to leave this
matter open Tho history Of the Missouri qucs-
,ion-a question which shook this nation from its
centre to its circumference, should warn us of tho
danger Of renewing contest of that character.
If Texas is to DO annexed, only safety will DO
found in settling that question now If thero Is
to be a contest on tho question Of slavery, let 1t
be determined now, while it may DO done without
sundering the liganonts which bind together.
If Texas is to be annexed, let us know in advance
whether her soil IS TO be the soil Of freemen or the
soil of slaves. If slave and FREQ States both to
be made from her territory. ct us know in advance
the number and strength Of zach. Let us know
how much is to be added to tho slave power of this
Union. Let US leave no adjourned Missouri Ques-
ton 10 convusc the Union hereafter.
But, sir, if this measure is to be pressed
Southern measuro--if tho annexation of Texas is
To, rpl. ftrf hor o,fu for
we have right to meet It's friends in the exami-
of the question, whether they have right to de-
mand such additional guaranties9 Is it right, is
II fair, would ask, in view oftho relative posi-
tons occupied by the free and slave States under
the Constitution, TO make such demand? Can
they with propriety Justice demand Of US tho
admission in 10 this Union Of large amount of
additional slave territory, for the avowed purpose
of strengthening the interests of slavery! We
all know the great difficulties which grew out of
this subject IN agreeing toa constitution for our
common government. But. great were the diff
fcultles, our fathers, guided by patriotism. and
inspired by n wisdom apparently not their own,
succeeded in giving this Republic that g!orions
and immortal instrument, in which tho compro-.
misses then agrcod 10, woro embodied, defined, and
perpetuated. By that instrument have a.
greed. that tho institution of slavery, rs it then
listed in tho slave States, should be secured to
those Stutes, md gun rded from all cncroach-
ments. We have agreed that they shall enjoy
upon this floor representation upon three-hfths
of what they pleased TO term MS mere proper
ty. These arc the compromises Of tho Constitu-
ton. and TO them we willing adhere. We
do not ask TO diminish their socuritv We do not
seek to Interfere with tho cnioyrcn, Of their
rights. Northern representatives come into this
hal from free people. Our friends Of the South
meet Us here with equal rights and equal power,
as the representatives. in part of their proper
~. We arc willing to meet thom upon that
ground. 1t is the compact which fathers
made, and will religiouslv adhere to 1t. But
would ask, Mr.. Chairman. is this not enough,
Have the Southern States right to demand still
moro2 Have they right fairly to insist not only