Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1845-03-05
& o y G. Il +. > > .
]. Kr>sEr, Soc.
March 81. lS45.

In tho Senate, February 10Th, nothing of inn
por,ance was transacted before taking up the
Texas question.
Mr.. Henderson spoke at length in favor of an
nexa,ion, but could not get at the drift Of his
argument. 1t appea red to DO dorkening Of coun
sci by words without knowledge.
Mr.. Barrow followed on the oihor side. He
spoke with reluctance, he said, not only because
tho subject could be bcttor handled by able
statesmen than himself, but bccaus, he distrus
ted his own ability do any thing like justice 10
this great question. But he considered II the du-
Ity of every Senator TO contribute all IN his power
to prevent palpabe violation of the Constitution.
Besides this the action of the Louisiana Lcgisa-
ture upon this subject left him no alternative but
to speak to it, or skulk like coward. Whatev-
er might have been the motives of this hybrid
Administration in first throwing this bomb-sho
into the political arena ono thing no protested a
gainst, and this was the position taken by the Se-
ators from Pennsylvania and New Hampshire,
that the people had decided the question of annex
alton, and we had nothing to do but to carry out
their wilt He protested against this doctrine,
both in reference to its general application, and
respected this particular question. 1t was doc
trine which no Senator and statesman ought
ever to advance. And why did he this?
Was i. because he did not respect tho people, and
acknowledge their sovereignty! No; but because
it was doctrine which overthrows all law and all
order. The people never have any question pun
directly to them. 1t said that in electing
Mr.. Polk the people had decided in favor of the
annexation of Texas He denied the fact we'll
as the theory, for it notorious that many vo-
tod for Mr.. Polk who first declared their opposi-
ton. then and always, to the admission of Texas.
He asked the Senators from Now York if Mr..
Polk did not receive the votos of their State in
spite of his favor to annexation! Tho people de-
cidod but one thing in clectng James X. Polk,
and this was that they preferred him and his par
tv to Mr.. Clay: but they moro decided in favor
of Nv for pOtk han
vania decided in favor of the South Carolina STAN
dard of the Tariff by the Same act.
He was ono of those who did not believe that
even if this measure did pass, Texas would be any
nearer into the Union than she Is now. The
Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. Buchanan)
smiles, but | will give him high authority for the
opinion. Mr.. B. then reminded his friend Mr..
Buchanan) of his own position upon the subject
Of fiscal institution, when he said that one Con-
gross could not bind another by its legislation,
and upon that occasion he made use Of this lam
guagc: '.pass this bill and the cry will be repeal!
repca'' Now, said Mr.. B.. | believe this will DO
the only effect of tho passage of this measure.
You will only raise an excitement that will shake
this Union to its centre.
Mr.. B. then examined tho constitutionahty and
expcdiency of annexation, agans, both of which
he contcnded manfully.
AT ten minutes after five, we left Mr.. Barrow
still speaking and close our report.
In the House and in committee of the whole
the bill appropriating SIS, 900 for furnishing and
repairing the Presidents House. After consd-
eIabe discussion, the question was taken on the
passage of the bill, when it rejected by
vote of rs to rs. After some other business, the
bill was taken up again.
Mr.. Roberts, of Miss, offered an amendment.
appropriating twenty thousand dollars for furnish
ing the Presidents house,-the articles purchased
to be American manufacture. provided. they can
be procured on cheap terms as the foreign.
Mr.. Stewart of Pennsylvania, moved to almond
the amendment by striking out all after the words
American manufacture. Mr.. S. spoke in favor
of his proposition, and con.ended that the amend
men, Of Mr.. Roberts il stood gave dis
erection which would make restriction in favor