The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-02-18
ANNEXATION OF TEXAS.
SPEECH OF MIR. BUCHANAN,
OF PENNSYLVANIA,
In Senate,
FEBRUARY IA, l845.
FEBRUARY IA, l845.

The Senate resumed the consideration Of the joint
resouton for the annexation of Texas when
Mr. BUCHANAN, of Pennsylvania, rose and adj
dressed the Senate nearly as follows:
am deeply impressed with a conviction Of the
vast importance Of the present question Shall Con-
gress to use the language Of the Constitution, admit
the New State of Texas into this Union or shall
Texas maintain the position of an independent Pow
err Shall we exhibit in our history those mutual
jealousies and wars which have ever been the mis-.
fortune of neighboring and rival nations Shall the
lone star Of Texas be blended with glorious
stellation, and shed its benign influence over the
length and breadth of land or comet-like shall
it threaten diseases, pestilence, and war; to our
Union3
1t does not occur once III century, il may not
again occur in our history for many centuries that
legislative body is called upon to decide question
which must exercise such important influence for
ages to come, both on the fate Of this North Amer-
can Continent and of the whole world. Wars may
be waged by ambition, and countries may be deluged
with blood but bounteous nature soon repairs the
devastations The field Of Waterloo is now covered
with cheerful green, and the happy cuvator of the
soil drives his plough ahead over the plain where
but few short years ago the hostile armies of all
Europe fought the most terrible battle recorded in
history. The devastation has passed away, and no
trace of il remains. But should Texas become an
independent rival Power, should foreign influence
be exered over her counse, most certainly will
be, to disseminate dssensions between her and our
selves the fatal effects will live long the two
nations shall endure. Texas will remain either to
bless US by reunion and to promote harmony among
the AngloAmerican race, or, like the Pbiistnes to
the lsarees of old be perpetual thorn in the side
of this Republic.
For my own part, rejoice that my humble name
has in small degree been connected with this ques-
ton shall endeavor to elevate myself to its high
standard shall endeavor to soar above all personal
party jeaousies, above all sectional feelings, and
| not,a Il e malta
of comparatively small Importance to the country by
whom this great boon is acquired, that it shall be
secured
Texas first offered herself to us in 1897, and was
then rejected by the ExecutiveiG In tina,
decision, under the circumstances then existing,
heartily concurred. In 1874 she again offered her.
self; but the treaty was rejected by the Senate. II
has been now proposed to admit her into the Union
act of Congress, and the House of Representative.
have passed the bill. The entire responsibility of bel
rejection again devolves upon The Senate If
third time turn deaf ear to her application the op
portunity may be gone forever.
MIR. b. went on to say that If he had been consult
ed the preparation of these resolutions for the ad
v mission OF Texas there provisions now in
cluded in them to which he should have objected -
He concurred with the honorable Senator from Ken
lucky (Mr. Morehead) in the opinion that the United
y STATES Government ought to have control over thu
. public lands OF Texas that we should also have tn
control over the Indian relations within her territory
and that she should cede her public domain to tn
J. United States. Nor did he like the provision tina
!, Texas was to be consulted in the creation of new
States from her territory. But let the resolutions pas
they stood, and we could do justice to Texas an
to ourselves hereafter He considered il unjust to de
prIve her Of her revenue from custom houses and
all her public property, without making any provIsio
which would enable her to pay her debts. Nor di
i he approve the granting to her all her public domain
% this ought to be coded to the United States for fa
equivalent But as he had said before let Us but oil
a tain the precious boon Of her admission and all nino
difficulties could readily be adjusted at the prope
~ time.
Mr.. B. said he greatly pleased with the first
m this series Of resolutions because it provided ft
immediate admission, so far that was PRACTICABLE
; For, was it not matter Of vast importance that
De question which had sgitated this Union for yea
e. past, which had disturbed our social peace, whic
n had fomented feelings OF strife and personal enmt
=. raising up man against man, from one end of o,
country to the other and which, he undertook to sa
had been decided by the people the late Preside
lie al election Should as soon as practicable be put
A rest. ...
They had heard, and should hear again, as hs
g happened when Louisiana was admitted, threats
he the dissolution Of the Union doubtless the emiss
of ries Of discord would be busy until the sgtativ
a question should have been decided but now as the
:, these lowering clouds would pass from the polite
- heavens we should all again worship together at Il
~ sacred altar Of union, and those who had been lou
Mt est in their opposition would find that their own 10
~ ton. Of the country the largest sbsrsrs in
blessings and Dement'S Of this great national messur
OF What, he asked, would New England have be,
de without the acquisition Of Louis'anal Bold, bray