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

treme necessity for the cession contemplated Would
this be likely TO the statesmen of Texas here
AFTER if in the administration Of affairs after the annexation
should be found that Northern industry and our pro-
tecve system had grown unpaatabe the people Of the
new province
will enlarge this argument suggests much matter
for reflection worthy the attention Of the country contend
that neither Texas the United States have power to
for the extinction alteration of either Government
that after anexaton parties TO the treaty remain who are
responsible for its fmen, and that the whole proceeding
Of revolution, and not Of constitutional function that
is subversion and modification Of the existing Govern
ments
but few words. My opinion is that the power acquire
territory, if it has been doubtful is settled by well APP
proved precedens That be only exercised through
Executive and in belongs the Legislature That
the question of incorporating foreign Governments into this
Union finds warrant whatever for such power in the Con-
stituion That such right is in its nature prmodia be-
yond the Constitutions and revolutionary that consequently
resides only with the people and depends upon universal
sent Whenever therefore, shall attempt incorporate
another nation with this should ask the of all the
States IL upon uch proceeding, any State should dissent
we must regard as her right to do So without finding in
room to quarrel with her. charge her with treason with null
hcahon or other State crime II is her privilege come
into or TO remain put of the Conederacy For Con-
ederacy and new nation would be- requiring organza
ton and new conpacs The old Union from that moment
dissolved and the Union substituted upon the
grounds Of assent and adoption which apparent in the
proceedings Of l7B7Sss9 The friends of beloved and
glorious Old Thteen and Of their legitimate progeny will
forever rally around the Union of their orefhers Some Of
them may not feel the attachment the new Unions
which, IN this new of conquest and encroachment
key IN the tide Of time, to be engendered Who will blame
them il their attachment be less
One of the plans by which recommended to annex
Texas and which printed and offered an amendment
TO the JOINT resolution reported by the Committee Foreign
Aars comes from the honorable member from Illinois, (Mr
DouGLAss desire to address few remarks TO this promo
stionnot because think worthy to be entertained
by the Committee than either of the other schemes submitted
bu because 1t announces principle in regard to our relations
with Texas upon which great stress is laid bv napv ~ ,h
advocates Of annexation, both in this House and elsewhere
and which, from the confidence with which is asserted
entitled to special comment That gentemans project Of an
nexaton founded upon the opinion that Texas actually he
longs to the United States this moment by virtue Of the
treaty Of 1903, which transferred Louisiana to this Govern
men 1t afms that engagements were contracted by that
treaty which could not without violation Of faith
foego by any subsequent treaty that the ceson Of Texas
therefore, the REIMBURSEMENT of claim Texas by the
Florida treaty, violation Of faith, and in SORT
void vodable act This is dstnctivey, sir the plan of
annexation.
The treaty of 1903 contains this clause
inhabitants Of the coded territory shall be incorporated
into the Union of the United States and admitted
possible according the principles of the Federal Const
tion to the enjoyment Of all the rights advantages and
mites OF citizens OF the United States; and the time,
they shall be protected in the free enjoyment liberty
property, and the religion they profess. I"
In 1919 the Florida treaty negotiated, by which this
Government in consideration Of the cesson by Span of the
territory OF Florida to the United States renquished, with
other equivalents given by u.s. all claim on part to
the territory lying of the Sabine The language that
treaty is Sand the United States hereby cede his Catholic
Majesty and renounce forever, all rights claims and preten
sons to the territories lying west and south of that nc
This argument of remuneration is founded several
SYMPTOMS First assumed that Texas was part of Loui
siana Now, sir will not dispute that point believe there
was much force in pretensions to that II suf
cent for however, say that that question diff
ference between the United States and Spain and that the
fact was in doubt willing admit for the sake of
the argument that there doubt claim
brace Texas in the limits of Louisiana.
Second 1t is assumed that the clause in the treaty of 1909
which have quoted contains ievocabe and permanent
guaranty the inhabitants of Texas by which were
PEELED TO admit them into the Union citizens and that
could dsencumber ourselves of the obligations of that
guaranty by any subsequent treaty that therefore, could
not cede this territory agnin to any other nation.
Third, II is assumed that the Florida treaty only void
80 far it related to the cesson REIMBURSEMENT of
claim to Texas but good in all other points that is to
say could not give up Texas but had right hold fast
the equivalent which given for Texas namely the terri
tory of Florida for have heard any gentleman contend
assert that right Florida in the impaired by
the failure of to give equivalent have heard no
assert that SPAIN under the circumstances had any right
TO claim the REMUNERATION of Florida.
In 1881 negotiated treaty of limits with Mexico and
in 1888 treaty of the character with Texas in both of
which treaties stipulated for the Sabine southwestern
boundary. is assumed in the fourth place, that both oil
these treaties void
The whole argument founded the idea of an evoca
bic guaranty TO the inhabitants of Texasn the treaty 1903
Sir would remark that il is the ordinary provision either
expressed implied every treaty cession of territory
that the inhabitants Of the ceded country should
with the nation to which they transferred They
ry become citizens subjects OF the sovereignty and
the effect of every treaty spuae the protection the
rights advantages and mmunies Of the citizens subjects
OF the nation to which they ceded This strong
stipulation their favor when left necessary implication
when it expressed When France coded SPAIN
and when Spain reroceded the territory France, in
the two secret treaties which have been published
guaranty in favor Of the inhabitants virtually incorporated
INTO those eatiesperhaps there in express phraseus
as strongly it is in the treaty Of 1903 II there be any
force in the objection them the inhabitants Of Texas may
claim the first guaranty their favor and pronounce all sub
sequent treaties void, with the justice that is
claimed in their behalf vadate the treaties of 1sl9 1891
and 1888; that the of 1903 ITSELF on this argument
II as nugaory those which followed ii.
In all the treaties which found in the diplomatic
history OF Europe whereby cesons have been made this
guarantyas the gentleman and his friends twill be dis
covered under many forms Of stipulation both express and
pied Let gentlemen the treaties from that Of West
phaia, In 1913, down to the present time the treaty of Nj
mcqueen OF Utrecht the celebrated Barrier treaty l7I5 for
settling the barrier Of the Netherlands the Quadrupe ALI
ance IN l7ls the treaty of AK la Chapee, and Of
others that followed down the treaty 1863 and
still later the treaty Of Paris of 30h May, 1914 and they
VIII lind the great staple of these treaties be cesons and
retrocessons Of States with every kind of guaranty Of
lection and incorporation Of their inhabitants How absurd
would be- how snguay would strike the Of the civil
zed word to hear these several States setting rights Of
annexation, founded the principle asserted this argument
Of the advocates Of Texas Who before raised the
question that these spuaons guarantees potent and
in their effect forever orea and prevent sub
scquen transfers of the people and territory
Sir does not every Government by It's laws and Constiu-
ton give guaranty quite strong, say the least of it.
this supposed guaranty Of the treaty. protect and maintain
its citizens subjects possession of the rights and advantages
belonging to them Yet have shown that every Govern
mentcven this Of ousmay cede away portion Of its
rory and people Is asserted here by gentcmen-the
on Ouprn