The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-02-26
MR., MARSHS SPEECH,
ON THE ANNEXATION OF TEXAS

! ON THE ANNEXATION OF TEXAS.
Differed in the House Of Representatives., U.
s.. IN Committee Of the Ehole on the state
Of The Union, Jan. 20, 1915.
Mr.. CHAIRMAy: 1t is remarkable feature
Of the debate in which we are engaged, that
while We have abundance of argument, or
rather apology for argument, i'll support ofthe
power of Congress TO annex a fereign State
~ legislation, the advocates OF the measure
seem, in general, quite reluctant TO enter up
on its merits, as question OF expediency. |
have waited for some DAYS, in anxious eypec-
taton, that the jealous friends of annexation
wonld state fully the arguments in its favor
IL is quite obvious that there is some deep
aud controlling motive for thus urging the
precipitate action Of Congress on its appeal
TO the popular branch, from the solemn iudg-
ment ofthe Senate, in a matter emphatically
within its proper cognizance. But, for some
unexplained reason, it is thought proper TO
declare this particular motive, or entrust the
| House and the nation with the entire arcu-
ment in favor Of the consolidation of these
two Independent sovereignties. Some OBJ
scure hints we have had IL the course of the
debate, and in another place pretty full de-
-velopcment of no doubt the most cogcnt and
persuasive reasons for the measure, but with
! the brilliant exception of the eloquent gentle
man from Soulh Carolina, (Mr. Holmes, } and
one or two Others, the gentlemen who have
supported it, have trodden very gingerly,
while passing over this branch of the subject.
/ The gentleman from Alabama, (Mr. Yam
cey,) TO whose ability and eloquence l am
disposed to render full justice, gave us the
other day sample Of the sort Of argumcnta-
ticn, which is relied upon as eifeclual, in coil
straniag the support Of Southern gentlemen,
who might otherwise be disposed TO act from
higher impulses ihan spirit OF Grieirliv6 =:
local dictation: and the Globe has declared,
that while the Northern Democracy should
be tenderly handled, in discussing both this
great subject and that Of the tariff, the recre-
ant Southerner, who indicated disposition
10 emancipaie himself from the influence of
sectional views on these subjects, should be
frightened back into his propriety, by the ter
rofs OF public dcnuncia;ion as renegade and
IS traitor. A distinguished Southerncr
once boosted, that the South ruled us of the
North by means ofour own white slaves &
the action OfSomc Northern members ofCon-
sress in the missouri controversy gave too
much countenance 10 the truth of this gas
cou.de. According 10 the decree Of the
Globe, the experiment of dragoouing, which
is alleged TO have been successful with the
North, is now 70 betred upon the recusani rCr-
ton OF the South, while the doubtful Northern
States are to he caiolcd into the admission
of Texas, and line abandonment OF The prOtrc
tive policy. by fair speeches and honeyed
words. The result ofthis interesting expert
ment in practical politics we shall soon see,
and 1t viii be a curious speculation TO learn,
whether il he easier to coax Northerner or
10 coerce Southeron.
The eloquent gentleman from Alabama,
however, did not follow the precise line now
recommended by the Globe. lie was, indeed
sufficiently liberal in bis denuncialions of his
faiilless brethren, but was not altogether
complimentary to us Of the North. He in
/ formed us that the Southern master ruled his
slave by divine appointment; and from The
views he expressed OF the superior qualifca-
tons of Southern men for all official stations,
as cOntrasted with our humber pretensions,
he allowed us TO draw the inference that he
held the South to be also divinely entitled TO
dictate law to our inferior natures. We of
the North entertain hereditary jealousy of
all who clai N tc rule by divine right. Divine
right is the alleged foundation of the authori-
~ of all despots; and if you consult the i'm
age duu Su prescription OF tue coin oil Henry
VIII, or Of Charles H., you will find that
+ even these blood stained and prohigate ty-
rants claimed to reign ''by the grace of God.''
But if we may reply on the authority of GER
tain notes appended TO the newspaper reports
of the gentleman's remarks, he intended, had
he not been arrested by The expiration of his
hour, TO give is per contra statement the
manifold humber virtues and excellences OF
the people of the North. THERE'S something
odd, almost ominous, in the frequent coinci-
dences between the entrance of gentlemen
upon delicate topics, and the fall CT the Speak
er's hammar. 1t has happened repeatedly IN
the course of this debate, that gentlemen
have been prematurely cut of in the very
/ flower of their eloquence, just at the COM
mencement of a conclusive argument in sup
port of the expediency Of annexation; and l
much fear this unhappy horary limitation will
deprive us altogether Of the opportu-
nifty Of hearing that branch of this
great question discussed. In one of the notes
to the gentleman's speech, it is said that his
remarks upon the North were intended 10
have special reference to the New England
States, or rather TO Massachusetts; aud for
the sake of that ancient, and, until now, rep
uiabIe commonwealth, it is much to be la
menled, that the honorable gentleman was
not allowed time to make out his balance
sheet, and show US what pre~se amount Of