Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-04-08

May last, b. formal resolution, declared that "the
win Of The people Of this Union ought 10 he cen
sn'led on The subject of the annexation OF Texas
andremoving the injunction OF secrecy solemnly
submitted the question for their decision. The
Convention Of the Representatives OF The Demo
cracy of The Union at Baltimore on the 2S,h of
The same month, announced that this was grea,
national measure which ought 10 be effected at
the earliest practicable period. The Presidential
nominee OF the Democracy re-affrmed the policy
laid down by the Convention, willie the great leader
Of The Opposition, Mr.. Clay, backed by his party,
broke ground against the positions thus taken
Here, then, was great issue formed between
lne great conlendng parties OF our country
The people responded 10 the appeal. The cause
OF annexation was triumphant and here | re-
peat should be an end of the controversy. The
mighty denunciatons Of Webster, The reckless
and remorsclcss appeals Of Seward, the burning
wrath oil Adams, the turbulence of ihousa nd
orators, and OF thousand presses, fell upon the
poolic ear. and poured out their argument, lheil
threats, their violence, ~ VAIN. In all Tie nigh
" gatherings o; the Democracy through The land
the banner OF the lone star" waved highest ana
broadeSt. and brieh:es. in the breeze: ard wEa
shout did yoa near, 50 loud, 50 deep so cnihusias
tic, as thai which prucla imcd that Texas should
be ours' that This di>mcmLcred domain should be
re-embraced within the ample folds Of our b,eS.
SGD Union?
Put this decision, instead Of peace, brings US a
rcsewal Of The war. The gentleman from Penn
ylvania, who lei The debate in opposition 10 the
measure, (Mr. J. r. lnscrsoll,) insists that an
nrxaiion by Legislation is unconstitutional. Ills
political friends follow in his wake, and resre,
10 End that any Democrat here should feel con-
strained 10 concur in view which, il suS-
tanned, must forever defeat his great measure OF
the public voice. II is said the acquisition can
he made only through The hc0ty-mdkine power.
Sir, am surprised that, since The decision OF the
people, this ground should be taken even by The
opponents OF annexation. In all the discussions
before that ultimate tribunal, in all The agitation
OF This measure throughout the nation, who ever
dreamed that lis cunSumma,ion was 10 be post
puned ill the Democratic party should form
majority OF two-thirs Of the members Of the Sc
nate? the number requisite 10 raiiiy treaty? Who
did mol understand that the Wing parry in that
body and IN the country, were hostile 10 the mea-
sure! And who does not know that The De-
mocracy cannot, IN years to come, perhaps not
in generation, obtain there the a>cendGncy ne
cessary' No! annexation Is treaty is practical
REJgc~ioS-ycs, Sit. REJECTION The people
looked forward in their decision 10 the action Of
power over which ,hey have some conrol-thc
Congress OF the United States. Their Represcn
iati"es were everywhere required TO ayow the
opinions lhey entertained. In New York, et-
forts were not wanting even in The Democratic
ranks, 10 plant he seeds d disaiitcton, and Sc
crcly 10 secure the nomination Of candidates op-
posed 10 annexation. Ii did not prevail. The
people were right: But all parties had Congress
in view, as The body BY which Ibis question was
10 he settled, and not The treaty making power
Having rejected one treaty, formed after mature
dciheratiun BY both republics, what an insult 10
Texas would il not De, 10 propose again nesotia-
lion! IL was not The provisions OF The treaty, ii
annexation was 10 take place; bnt il was the es
pcG!ency OF The mcasaIc-its political aspect
and lis consl.lutanaiy tina, decided, avowedly
so, The action Of more than a majority Of that
body. VIVA, administration would dare now.
again, after a third repulse 10 invite Texas, thus
spnrned, 10 enter into renewed negotiation equal
Is liable and as likely 10 be reectedl No Sir; il
we obain Texas ut all, it can now be only bya
measure advanced h ourselves 10 which we
shall stand committed, and which may be con-
>ummated By her acceptance simply. VIII you
ask her 10 expose herself again 10 the launis OF
loteisn rower>2 She never will consent. Her
llu,rinns Dt.1il.ri. IA "o,'r'rs '.~'.' re Ii
guishcd place. now bot recently declared IN his
vaedictory 10 The nation, that Texas ought never
again 10 ask admission 10 our Union but was
bound 10 pursue such policy as her interests
might dictate, regardless Of the measure; and If
the United States should propose annexation, lis
acceptance or rejection should be FOR her own
consideration Would honor permit her course
Ia be otherwise; While the people oil Texas and
The people Of the Union are roth agreed, are We
10 lie driven back upon The treay-makins power,
ready 10 resist The public willi and even did yon
believe an even, 50 improbable as the acquics-
cencc OF constitutional majority oi two-thirds OF
The Senalc, dare yon hazard the postponemcnl of
The measure another year! while other powers
are deeply interested and deeply anxious, and
seeking 10 defeat the union-appoaling 10 the
Government with the argument OF special iavors,
while ambitious aspirants are appealing 10 the
injured feelings Of the peoples Sir, the whole
res possibility of the result resls now upon our
elves: and while would ever respect my own
scruplcs, would also respect that
public opinion which is the safest Interpreter OF
constitutional power, and allow lis influence III
the solution Of my doubts.
Blu! the constitutional power Of Congress 10
acquire Texas is denied, and admit that The
advocates of acquisition are hound 10 show all-
tborily To M apprehension il is plain. New
States" says The Constitution "may be admitted
into The Union BY Congress" The power is
unimiled except in The wisdom and discretion OF
the legislative AMI executive authority. IL is no
answer 10 say that tie trainers of that insru-
mem intended Ibis provision as applicable only
70 the territory then owned BY The United STATES.
There is liz restriction. But il is 4 portion OF
the history of The formation of the Constitution,
that a provision restricting The admission oil new
S'ar>, except out OF territory then owned by NE
United States. was proposed in the Convention
and rejected there. The fact shows that no liini-
itn nm.
veni:on. in Tie consummalion Of their labors look
ed around them, ard surveyed The whoe conii-
nent. The powerto admit Texas as State we
maintain is equally power 10 receive her rs
territory for thai Object pyeparalc rs 10 her admls
sion as State. For rea>uns Obvious 10 q Tue ac-
quisition as territory should be desired IN pre-
ference TO direct and immediate admission as
Stale We should acquire her public lands and
subject Them 10 our system, establishing, III that
respect, an equality over all our domain. There
ought 10 be no anomaly in hef condition: her po-
liiical sovereignty oush, 10 be cxinsnIshed before
that no question, however unreason-
able, could be raised by other powers, as 10 The
continuance Ct her Treaty Obligations. They
would cease The moment her political existence
should cease Her conversion into territory
would be political extinction. Annexation as
territory, therefore, is preferable. Now, besides
the express power 10 "aGmit new States" Con-
gress has also the express power OF passing call
laws necessary and proper" 10 carry that into
execution The object, then, is clearly conslilu-
tional-,he admission Of 4 Stae-thc means-lhe
acquisition of territory on condition Of admission
as State lis strictly adapted 10 TIA, object, and
in accordance with il, and important TO the end,
and reasonable in itself. In view Of these 1ur-
poses, a Law of annexation as territory, is 'ne-
cessary and proper" Legislation, within these
limits, under the constitutional provision cited,
cannot, therefore, be an infrac,ion of the Consti-
tuition Without that provision, one-half Of all
vour action here would be nuSatory, and The ope-
rations OF your Government be suspended.
multitude Of cases, i, is true, may be supposed,
in which Congress would have no power 10 L.
gisla,e notwithstanding plausible appearance
Of necessity. Every case depends on its own na-
lure and lis own circumstances. In the acqui
silion G; Texas, as territory, we enact thai, on
certain terms, she shall become portion Of ours
She consents. She cedes her domain. We &C
ccpt il. She makes tle transfer. and We take it
on terms previously designated. Cannot the
United States receive grant Of territory1 Can
no, Congress settle the model We received
Legacy, the Smithsonian bequest, with
out objection, and are now celebrating how il