Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-02-15
RICHMOND, VA.
Friday Morning, February II. Is45.
THE MEASURE OF ANNEXATION.

THE MEASURE OF ANNEXATION.
We should infer, from the best information we
have Just received from Washington, that some
measure will succeed, this session. for uniting Inc
Lone Star 10 The American Constellation. But
what the process is 10 DC by which this IS 10 be &C
complshed we, who are not behind the scenes, bu!
merely very distant yetanxious spectators OF The
drama, are unable 10 decide. We wish, in any
event, 10 see Texas annexed TO The United States
but what is the best vag Of doing it. is one ques-
ton. and what is available is another. We can
form much better jnt I..ent ofhe firslthan otlhe
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-
sentalives OF Congress. We are ignorant Of
most of the elements, which enter'ino This last
calculation. We can form more satisfactory
though certainly mol very conclusive, opinion 0!
the results OF the different plans in agitation
II The great result the annexation of Texas be In
deed effected on fair and liberal principles which
prescribe the Interests OF no section of the conn-
iry, ard promote The good of all, we mus, in
that spirit Of amity and concession" III which
the Constitution itself was formed, be willing
10 accept it, although it may not DC productive OF
all The minor results which we might desire, as 10
lime and manner. We claim, therefore, in this
stale OF the question, 10 express our own views Oh
tic plan which we prcfcr-takinS care 70 avoi9
all diciatorial spirit, and 10 adopt the liberia feel
ing which the importance of the measure, and the
variety of its aspects require of every frank, yet
prudent, politician. The lasl Globe has treated
this subject in proper and liberal manner IL
has declared its preference for Mir. 5enon's bill.
Wnhou, meaning 10 crilicise all lis positions, we
would respectfully stale The points OF superiority
which Mr.. Browns resolutions appear 10 our ap-
pfehcn>ion 10 possess.
View Il not dwell upon The facts that these reso-
lulons have been selected on due considerations
and after a months debate before the House
of Representatives, out of 4 series OF propo-
silions which had been submitted 10 that body.
They were adopted TOO by strong and m
expected majority Of twenty-two-have been
sanctioned nv the Legislature and People OF
Viginia-ard seem 10 have obtained The con-
, currence of great majority Of The irlencs oil
Texas South of Mason's and Dixon's llne as
we'll as The acquiescence Of respectable and
considerable" portion of its friends in The nom
slaveholding States.
lis terms are in facldislinguished By great libe-
raliiy and justice 10 all The sections OF our coun-
try. /, settles Tie Constitutional question: accord
ing 10 the very words Of the Constitution. Texas
is 10 be admitted as a new State into the Union.
Other States not exceeding four, are TO be
carved out Of her residuary territory, with her
own consent and that of Congress- 10 be hereafter
also admitted into the Union.
The other great difficulty which has stood
in the way Of the adjustment, and the great
esl 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 OF our glorious Confedcracy, are not en-
titled 10 fair proportion OF the public territory.
But The uon-slavchodng States have much the
best othe bargain iflhey were even partitioned off
BY the Missouri compromise line. The whole i'm
menSe and magnificent territory north Oi ISL de-
grees, stretching 10 the Pacific and embracing
Oregon itself, is 10 be allotted 10 our Northern
brethren. That portion OF Texas itself. which
lies north of the same line, is also TO be absolute
Is and Internationally surrendered 10 them Yet,
Brown sresouions do not even transfer The whole
OF Texas south oftl,at line, TO the Southern parties
OF The Confederacy. So far is this from being
true, that State. not even Texas herself, is ne
cessarily 10 be slaveholding State, unless she
prefers it, As TO snch other States, as may here
after be formed out of her territory, they are
TO be as open 10 the Northern as 10 the Southern
people. They !are under no sort of restriction
to become slave States-Decausc il is eIpreSsiV
stated, tha, "lhey are 10 be admitted into the
Union, Nth or ritaom slarerp, rs TIC pGopc ~
each .Statc asEiHg admission may desire" Some
OF The most strenuous advocates for an equal par
lltlUU Oh toOUlIeIU lCAdS UctWGtu TIE lice anu
slave States are the first 10 admit, too, under
this that The question IS Of no pruct,cai Importance
as considerable portion OF The territory is too
mountainous and cold TO become the permanent
residence OF slaves. Such then, are the liberia
terms proposed 10 the citizens of various sections
ofour couli'Ty-ierms, that are notequally extend
ed 10 The Southrons in any q The territory North Of
3Gi degrees. Slavery is forever prohibited in
ttat immense region. A white man dare not en-
Ter any part OF il with his slaves.
Such, then, are the liberal arrangements OF
Browns resolutions. They ought 10 be &C
ceptabic to The North, as we'll as 10 the South
and, indeed, 10 every part oil 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 ma lor,y
of citizens Of each neg Slate shall readily ie
termine The character Of the Stale according 10
the simple principle which il lays down. It has
been urged, indeed, with some ingenuity hy our
friend OF the Globe, t5:at when the Constitution OF
Texas is submitted next Winter for the aPpro
val Of Congress, the Missouri question would
again come up, with all its ancient violence. We
indulge no such appre .nsions under Browns
resolutions Congress would be bound BY their
solemn compact with Texas, TO admit any Stale
into The Union with without slavery, as her
citizens please. The Constitution is the express
sion OF their will and Congress would be bound
b. the most solemn public faith 10 admit her or
any other State, erected on. OF her bosom, acih
or riiio1h 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 al The previous Session of 1890 -
But this struggle was not about slaves, but
about "he exclusion Of free negroes from the
Stale" ard similar clause might not come mp
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
tine settled. But how would il be under Col
Benlon's bi2 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.. Pos
might give 10 his Commissioners in this respect
as well as TO the form in which he might present
The compact either to the wo-lhirds ofihe Senate or
the majority Of both Houses-we have still the COM
pacto accept, (and mol as undert The Constitution of
Texas, where the terms would be virtually settled
by Browns resolutions Then, we should see the
me battle gone over, upon this compact, as we
have seen before the two Houses this Winter
the battle, probably waxing warmer from Ike re
~ discussion, which The delay might produce be-
tween this time and next Winter. Browns reso-
luton, therefore, prevents Missouri storm. The
OhiSt SSHCIHC 10 uSltCi W hccp ~ OPcIl
upon The terms Of the compact, which will have
first 10 be made, and ihento 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 10 be hereafter ac-
copied for, if Teas accepts ii, we are bound BY
it. All is settled. Whereas the compact under
Mr.. Benton's BILL after it has been made by Com
missioners, is 10 go through the ordeal Of the
Treaty-making power, or of Congress. ], is
and may get in earlier, say on the 4lh July. But
we have our fears OF the Whigs in the Senate