Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-02-13
COMMUNICATIONS.
BENToN's BILL.
WASHINGTON, Feb. I. 1916.

Free aud Liberal Structures.
WAsHINoToN, Feb. I. 1916.
To tie Editors of the Esqaur:,
SirS-As the daily papers here have already IN
formed you, the Committee upon Foreign Ahairs
in the Senate have made their report IN oppos-
,;on to the annexation of Texas, and Mr.. Benton
has substituted new bill in lieu ofthe one intro
duced by him at an early day in the session.
TUESDAY the 18th, has been agreed upon as the
day for taking the various bills and resolutions
upon the Texas question. II will be conceded,
that i, is the great question Of the session; might
well say of the age, as far as this Republic is
concerned. II proper, then THAT The public voice
should be heard, even in the halls OF the Senate,
upon SO momentous a measure. 1t is proper, in
considering these bills, that It should be remem
bered, that Texas annexation was Inc predomi-
nan, the active principle in the late important
canvass for the presidency. II is proper 10 re-
member, that the successful candidate was chosen
by his party and the country, ON account Oh Inc
decided stand taken by him in favor OF immedi-
.ie annexation And if il is urged, 10 weaken
this position, that Johnson, Cas- and Buchanan,
were rejected though entertaining similar views OF
annexation and therefore, that was mol The turning
point 0! the selection, it can I've we'll answered
that these distinguished gentlemen, having been
long involved in n struggle for political ascendan-
CIV, though differing from Col. Polk in no great
were cast dSluG III OINSl ASau-
ing question of the canvass, IN the person OF Col.
Polk, might be put fairly before the people, un-
trammelled by long engendered personal rivalries
and sectional preiudices. A new and great issue
10 be decided directly upon-a young and powerful
champion was selected as It's representative.
The influential head OF the opposition, repudia-
ting past opinions took the most hostile position
against annexation-now or never Every where
was the issue made-eycn liz old Federal Massa-
chusetts wasthe Democracy heard speaking in bold
and eloquent tones in favor of immediate annexa-
ton. Even in New York did Convention Of
the predominant majority express an almost una
nimous opinion in favor OF annexation at The
earliest practicable periodn In Missouri too, II
sing above the strongest personal devotion 10 and
pride in their powerful Senator, the people spoke
in plain and emphatic terms for immediate an
nexaton;" while in Kentucky, the edifice OF Wing
gery was shaken to its very foundation stone by
the shout ofts people, in re-echoing the language
of the hero statesnlan-"Now IS The golden mo-
ment" for annexation.
10 the Wing ranks, that unanimity against this
measure did not exist which animated ours in its
favor. The recent vote upon annexation IN The
House OF Representatives affords conclusive proof
ofthis fact The American masses then have deli
beraley decided that it is their desire 10 see the re-
public of Texas Immediately" united to their
own; and the Fl. OF Representatives, after months
u0npoTdtS OlSCuSSiUu vi uWuiCiOuS ptOpOShiohS "
effect it. have by decided majority given embo-
diment to the popular feeling in the resolutions
which il has sent 10 the Senate. And how is this
proposition, coming sanctioned by brilliant po-
pular approval, met in that body? A Democratic
Senator, recognizing the doctrine OF instruction
and acting under them, makes a counter move
men., which, if successful, will throw the whole
question back TO the point where il STOOD when
MIR. Tyler opened negotiations with the Govern
meut OF Texas! II this is So 'rhat step t0rdyds
annexation. does this bill of Mr. Benton make?-
None. Lei the reader Judge BY the bill, which |
herewith send 10 you.
The first section provides for anneXation-"im-
mediately?" No-but at that date, when new
negotiations having been concluded by the Exc
cutive, the two Governments shall have ratified
them, either by treaty or legislative act.
The second section but appropriates money 10
defray the expenses Of splendid mission TO effect
that, which would be effected at once, by the sim
pie adoption by the Senate OF the House bill!
Calmly and soberly, is no: this fdrcicall Does
the Executive need the authorization Of Congress
10 enter into negotiations with foreign power
for this or any other purposel No; the Execu-
tive derives this prerogative from higher source
Than law-trom the Constitution.
Does the Executive need such an incentive 10
commence negotiation, when the good OF the
country demands liz MOTOR mishtier power
than the Senate, as august and important
as that body is freely admitted TO be, has spoken
in tones not TO be misunderstood, on this matter
the sovereigns, both ofthe Senate and the Execu-
tiye--the people Of the Union.
Does the Executive require even the appropria-
hon made by the bill? Motor we already have
a Minister near the Government Of Texas, fully
competent 10 carry on all negotiations between
the two Republics under the instructions oil the
home Government, if unfortunately such should
be made necessary al an expense of bnt iorty-ilve
hundred dollars per annnr, and not Of hun
dred thousand, as Mr. BIS bill contempaes
The bill, then, concludes nothing-t commits
those who should vote for it 10 nothing, save an
expression in favor of some sort of annexation,
nj some indefinite period in the future. 1t is
mere shell of professions. The country has not
asked this Of Congress-it demands compliance
with their views-an immediate definite action,
looking to practical results. and not 10 long and
intricate negotiations, and after that another con-
test OF the various conflicting interests OF the
Union.
The Executive has proposed The issue-the
people in their most high and solemn prerosative
have approved OF 1.-THE House Of Representa-
lives has responded to this expression OF their will;
and will the Senate meet il by this drawing ex-
preston Of conditional assentto conditional &C
ton al some underlined period in the tnture2 We
trust not. Surely, The just expectations Of the
country will not be thus insullingy disappointed.
To show the light in which this move by Mr..
Benton is viewed by the most unrelenting ene-
.dies Of annexation, il is only necessary TO re-
mind your readers that Senator Barrow OF Lou-
siana who has heretofore expressed himself in
strong and most emphatic language as opposed
10 annexation in any and every form, animated,
that he could vote for Mr.. Bcnon's proposition
with slight notifications. And well, indeed, he
might! Mr.. Barrow well understands the true
effect Of that bill, as crushing an already nearly
perfected plan of annexation and leaving the
question again EXPOSED to the assaults OF avowcd
snemies, and to the intrigues OF pretended friends
Can the true friends oil annexation in Congress
vote for this BILL even rs last resort as an only
choice? II is an interesting question, and not 10
ne lightly decided As an humble advocate OF the
cause, however would ask leave 10 throw my
opinion into the scale, and 10 say 'iey c'tnnot.-
The bill does not Advance the causc-on The con
trary it retar,is it, and exposes it TO the hazards
OF new diplomacy, OF fresh assaults from is com
bined and powerful enemies in the House, ito lie
effected by Legislative act or, il By treaty, % the
dangers OF a two thirds vote IN the Senate, where
we are now in doubtful position as TO success
and when time and new elections afford us FAINT
homes only Of better stale OF things. All This,
so far PLAYS into the hands Of the enemies OF an
nexation; as far as il goes accords with their
views; as clfecualy kills annexation, for The pre-
sent, rs John Quincy Adams or Daniel Webster
could desire. II, then, it does moi advance, but
throws back che question, and destroys all that has
been done, TO The point where MIR. Tyler COM
menced it, lift does not commit single member,
who may vote for II, 10 approve of the nal result
of the negotiations; if it lhwarts the will OF the
people; if il settles no mode for annexation, whe-
iher by treaty or act, hoc can friend Of annexa-
ton record his vote for it, and answer TO the call
of his constituents for his move upon the great is
sue? Better, if "immediate annexation" is crush
ed, not to divide the responsibility with those who
effect ii, but 60 before the country, having srenu-
ously used every effort to forward its wishes.
cannot bring myself though, Sir TO O., think that
,ain,y effect. He has long been the wise and en-
crgetic friend Of Texas. He was the first to OPP
,n.e ;,s alien afion 10 Snain. He understands.