Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-02-15
RICHMOND, VA.
EriIny Morning. February "a. 1915.
TIVE MEASURES or ANNEXATION.

Friday Morning. February il. 1870
THE MEASURE OF ANNEXATION.
We should infer from the best information We
have Just received from Washington, that some
measure will succeed this session, Tor uniting inc
Lone Star 10 the American Constellation But
what the process is 10 5e by which this IS 70 ac
complshed, we, who are not behind The scenes, pnI
merely very distant vet anxious spectators OF Tue
drama, are unable 10 decide. We wish, ~ any
event, 10 see Texas annexed The Unllcd STATES
bu, what is The best rap Of doing il, is one ques
ton, and wha, is available, is another we can
form much better inc 1::cn oflhe flrsl nan ofthe
last The first depends upon general specula-
tons of the results OF The various plans-lhe last
upon The votes of the several Senators and Repre-.
sentatives OF Congress. We are ignorant u
most of the elements, which enter INTO this ias'
calculation We can form more satisfactory,
though cenairiy mol very conclusive, opinion OF
the results OF the different plans in agitation
II The great result the annexation OF Texas, he m
deed effected on fair and liberal principles winch
prescribe the interests OF no section OF the conil-
iry, ard promote the good of all, we mus, IN
that spirit Of amty and concession, III Wnich
the Constitution itself was formed, be willing
10 accept il, although it may not be productive Oh
all the minor results which we might desire, as 20
time ard manner We claim, therefore, in this
Tie plan which we prcfcr-taking care 10 AVOID
all dicaurial spirit, and TO adopt the liberia ieei
ing which the importance Of the measure, ana me
variety of It's aspects, require of every frank, yet
prudent politician The las, Globe has treated
this subject in proper and liberal manner II
has declared its preference for Mir. 4enon's bill.
Without, meaning 10 crilicise all its positions, we
would respectfully state The points OF superiority
which Mr. Browns resolutions appear 10 our APP
pfchcn>ion 10 possess.
View Il no, dwell upon The facts, that these reso-
lulions have been selected on due considerations
and after months debate before the House
of Representatives out of series OF pFopo-
silions which had beer submitted 10 that body.
They were adopted 100 by a strong and mn
expected majority Of twenty-twu--havc been
sanctioned by the Legislature and People of
Vlgina-aEd seem 10 have obtained The con-
currence of great ma jurity or The friends OF
Texas, South of Mason's and DiXons line, IS
well as The acguiescence Of a respectable and
considerable" portion Of its friends in the nom
saveholding States.
lis terms are in facidislingushei By great lbe-
ralv and Justice 10 all The sections OF our coun-
ty II settles the Constitutional question, accord
ing to the very words Of The Constitution. Texas
is TO be admitted 4 new State into the Union.
Other States not exceeding four, are TO be
carved out Of her rcsiduary territory, with her
own consent, and that of Congress- TO be hereafter
also admitted into the Union.
The other great difficulty which has stood
in the way Of the adjustment, and the great
est difficulty which encumbers the annexation,
is disposed Of upon the most liberal terms
We mean, of course, the slave question:
1t will scarcely be pretended. that the Southern
portions ofour glorious Coniederacy, are not en-
titled 10 fair proportion of the public territory.
But the non-slaveholding States have much the
best oflhe bargain fthey were even partilioned off
by the Missouri compromise line. The whole i'm
mcnsc and magnificent territory nor,h oi 3Gt de-
srecs, stretching 10 The Pacific and embracing
Oregon itself, is 10 he allotted to our Northern
brethren. That portion OF Texas itself. which
lies north Of the same line, is also 10 be absolute
" and Internationally surrendered TO them. Yet,
Brown resolutions do not even transfer the whole
OF Texas south Of Tia. line, to the Southern parties
Of The Confederacy So far is this from being
true, that no Stale, not even Texas herself is ne
cessarily to be a slaveholding State, unless she
prefers il As TO snch other States, as may here
alter be formed out Of her territory, they are
10 be as open 10 the Northern as 10 The Southern
people. They !are under no sort of restriction
TO become slave Sta,es-becausc ii is expressly
stated, that ",hey are 10 be admitted into the
Union, ,c;k irithom slarerv, as tic peopic 81
zach Si0tc ASKING admission MAY desire" Some
tition OF Southern Texas between the free and
slave States, are the first 10 admit, too, under
this that The question is Of no praet,cM Importance.
as considerable portion OF the territory is too
mountainous and cold TO become the permanent
residence of slaves. Such, then, are the liberal
terms proposed 10 the citizens of various sections
ofour couh'Ty-ierms, that are not equally extend
edtot The Southrons in any {! The territory North o.
3Gi degrees. Slavery is forever prohibited in
Mai immense region. A white man dare moi en-
Ter any part OF il with his slaves.
Such, then, arc the liberal arrangements Of
Browns resolutions. They ought 10 be &C
and, indeed 10 every part Of the Union,
because they seal up this fountain of bitter
waters for ever. The slavery question is set
lied. The Missouri line is adopted, with such
simple modification that the will Of a ma ori,y
Of citizens Of each ncS Stale shall readily &c.
termine lhe character Of the State according TO
the simple principle which il lays down. It has
been urged, indeed, with some ingenuity by our
friend OF the Globe, that when the Constitution oil
Texas is submitted next Winter for the appro-
val Of Congress, the Missouri question would
again come up, with all It's ancient violence. We
indulge no such appre -nsons under Browns
resolutions Congress would be bound BY their
solemn compact with Texas, to admit any Stale
,
citizens please The Constitution is the express
sion OF their WILL and Congress would be bound
BY the most solemn public faith 10 admit her or
any other State, erected on, Of her bosom, aciM
or miilom slavery, as they direct. We know,
as the Globe says, that "The great struggle
in The Missouri conflict was in the Spring of
1921, after the compromise line had been agreed
upon a! The previous Session of 1920. -
But this struggle was not about slaves, bu,
about che exclusion Of free negroes from The
Stale" ard similar clause might not come up
under the Constitution of Texas, or il would be
at once adjusted BY The precedent Of 1921. The
case was made at that time, and il was al that
time sculed But how would ii be under Col.
Benton's bl Passing over the difficulties which
might prevail in The preliminary stages Of the ar
rangement--the excitement that might be pro-
cuced about the instructions which Mr.. Pcl!;
might give 10 his Commissioners in this respect,
as we'll as 10 the form in which he might present
the compact either to the two-hrds Of The Senate or
the mAj0ritp of both Houses-we have still the com
pacito accept (and moi as under the Constitution Of
Texas, where the terms would be virtually settled
by Browns resoutions) -Then, We should see The
same battle gone over, upon this compact, as we
have seen before The two Houses this Winter;
The battle probably, waxing warmer, from Tie re
ry discussion which The delay might produce be-
tween this time and next Winter. Browns reso-
luton, therefore, prevents Missouri storm. The
other scheme is better calculated TO keep it open,
upon The terms OF the compact which will have
first 10 Be made, and lhenlo be sanctioned BY Con-
gress.
Under The resolutions, therefore, not only is The
slave question settled, but the whole question is
settled. There is no compact TO be hereafter ac-
copied for, if Isros accepts it, we are bound by
it, All is settled. Whereas, the compact under
Mr.. Benon's bill, after it has been made by Com
missioners, is 10 go through the ordeal of the
Treaty-makns power, or Of Congress. It is
commended, indeed, that it may be sanctioned by
two-,hirds Of the Senate, al an Extra Session,
and may gel in earlier, say on the 18th July. But
We have our fears of the Wings in the Senate.
We doubt its ratification by the two-,hrds. As
we said the other day, "Fanalicism has decreed,