Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-02-18

admission OF new State into the Union is ex-
Pressly confided TO Congress bv the Constitution.
a power 50 important and so necessary to The
welfare ofthe Union, was never intended BY The
trainers OF the Constitution TO be committed 10 th.
hands OF The Executive and Senate, but Tor The
wisest OF purposes was copmitted 10 the whole
legislative body. Are yos, Sir, so much OF an
arlsiocrat IN theory, as 10 maintain, that il was
safer 10 commit this vast and important power 10
the merchandising, instead OF the legislative de-
parmeni? Surely, surely, you cannot be- will
vouch that you are not. Where then is 10 lie
found the constitutional difficulty 10 the admission
oil Texas into this Union as STATE. as proposed
by The joint resolution of the House OF Rcpresc,-
laliyesl The language impartiHg 10 Congress The
power TO admit new States into the Union j. a
plain, as simple aud as emphatic as The English
language could possibly make it, and seems TO me
10 De too clear and decisive 10 be whiuled away ~
the ingenuity OF criticism, or arts OF sophis,ry.
What is It's language2 So far as relates 10 the
power OF admission, !! is simply this: "Ner Stats
may be admitted by he Congress into tbs Union
Now, Sir, what could bY more simple, more painor
more comprehensive than this7 II gives, clearly
and decslvely, 10 Congress The power 10 receive
new States; but does not designate whether these
new States shall be received from territory .rlh,n
or 1rlthoM the then territory Of the United States.
II The Constitution does not impose this resric-
llon: from what other source can it be imposed
Now, Sir, put il 20 you-and, as an American
statesman, acting upon those noble and lofty
views which should ever characterize the Repub-
llcan Representative, call upon you 10 point out
the clause OF the Constitution restricting the cx-
ercise OF this vas, and important power 10 terrific
r. within the limits Of the then United States:
tor u u was not then restricted TO territory within
the limits Of Tie United States il cannot now
be. Where is the clause where the sentence
where the single word II you cannot find
i. IL the articles OF the Constitution itself where
else will YOU look for il. In the drba,c,
which attended the formation Of the CunSii-
tuition :? This will, also, fail you. The debates,
as reported By the immortal Madison, prove thar
this power was intended 10 be left without res,rc.
ton, except in the patriotic discretion OF free
and liberty-loving people This very restriction
was stricken from this clause of the Constitution
as originally reported from a committee II, then
the Constitution itseli. and the debates which .ct.
10 lis adoption, tail in imposing this restriction,
all other sources must fail, and this Question be-
come as it should be, a question OF Discretion
But, suppose the restriction did exist, what woult
be the consequence? Why, Sir that no State
should have been, and never could be admitted
into the Union, beyond the limits Of the United
States as they existed al the time OF the adoption
-
conquest or purchase, could ever be erected iTio
new States and admitted into the Union, bul
must always remain in state or territorial de-
pendence. Do you really believe Sir that our wis:
and sagacious foreiathers, who framed this noble
inslrument-,hs charter oflibe1y, intended 10 con,
fine the free and independent States, which should
constitute this Union, TO these narrow bounds and
hold in territorial subsection any territory which the
conquest OF The sword, or a fair and honorable
~
Or, would you rather think that viewing the IN
crease of our population. and the probable nj.
vance of our Tree institutions, far beyond the
limits OF our own territory, they impaired this
very power to Congress TO enable US todraw into
our circle OF free States all such as should pre-
sent themselves with free institutions and 4 Re
publican Constitution II the view OF those who
insist upon this restriction he sound, is il not rs
much your bounden duty 10 insist upon the eS-
cusion Of Louisiana, Arkansas and Missouri
from the Union, as the rejection OF Texas for they
are in the Union, in violation OF the Constitution.
and not, therefore. lesitimalely embraced =
Louisiana was Foreign Territory when The
Constitution was Adopted, and lis after acquisition
cannot alter the principles OF the ConstitMion.-
These States are either in the Union consti;u-
lionaly, or they are ntrndcrs, coming in violation
Of that sacred instrument and should be thrust
out Ii they are in consttsionay, then Ill con-
StllullOUdI ScTupIeS aS 10 texas dTt ItuIOFtO.
Upon the expcdiency OF this measure viii
not say one word 10 YOU need only refer you
10 yonr own able and unanswered and unanswer.
able argument OF the last session oiCongresS. |
had as well attempt 10 add an additional tint 10
the beautiful hues, which give beauty and bril-
liancy 10 the bow that is spread upon The eve
ming cloud or add additional ustre 10 the brilliant
rays of a clear noon-day Sun, as 10 attempt 10
add sny thing 10 the speech referred TO- Sir in
all sincerity, and with the kindliest feelings
commend that unsurpassed performance 10 your
re-perusal and reconsideration; and when you
have again read ii, would in all humility ASH
YOU taking into consideration the events and in>
dications which have succeeded lis delivery, con-
trming lis conclusons-can you-will you hesi-
tate? repeat the question, as an American, asa
Southron and Virginian 6np yon-TH yos h.
sIat,? The people OF the Union, the people OF the
South and the people OF you own native and be-
loved Virginia, are for il, and call upon you :.
reflect their opinions; will you-can you turn
deaf ear 10 their cnreates and refuse 10 srans
them that boon, which, as their representative,
they have right to demand a, your hands.
The interest which Great Britain takes in til,
question, and the zeal displayed by the heaItes-
and blood-thirsty fanatics Of the North shonid
warn you OF The designs Of these enemies OF orr
peace ard prosperity, and Of the danger which
hovers around us and should arouse all your eBer
gies and all your vigilance 10 turn it aside. The
political atmosphere is stormy and threatening, AMI
requires all the sagacily, all the wisdom, all he
patriotism, and all the irmncss OF our statesmen
10 turn il aside, and aver, is Tuinous effects. Sir,
the eyes Of your country are upon you: VIII you
diSappoint their ford hopes Answer, Sir, 10
your God to your country, TO posterity. and 10
liberty. Will you b. Caesar, or will you be Caio7
VIII you be for your country, or for your partyi
That's the question.
Feb 10, 1916. A NATIVE OF ALBEMARLE.
~ LIZ L,lInre III LIZ EmnflIrl1.