Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-03-18


We must either admit them among ms as por-
lion OF ourselves, or, like the remnants OF The
Canaanites OF old, they would be 'thorns in our
side" as long as the two nations existed on Inc
earth. We must make our choice between these
alternatives. There was no middle path. While
VIC remained separate, there was every thing 10
produce mutual irritation between Us. Nay, this
he understood had already begun. The two
rivers were boundaries ofboth people. And they
were already disputng about the navigation OF the
Arkansas and the Red river Texas claimed
right 10 The navigation OF the Mississippi. Then,
there was another fruitful source of difficulty
England would establish with Texas an inter
course of tree trade, while we with our tariff OF
duties had conterminus boundary OF thousand
miles with her; attempts would inevitably be
made TO snuggle and this would create trouble,
and a war OF cusiom-houseS. The annals OF hui
man nature proved lbdllove lurned,o hatred was
one OF the bltiercst passions OF the human heart
In proportion 10 the attachment OF the Texans 10
Us and our Government now, In that same pro-
portion would be her hatred if we spnrned her.
"Earh has no rage like love TO hatred turned"
Let Texas long be refused and she would go
on to become rival republic and must OF neces-
sity attach itself 10 some foreign nation. Mr. Il.
was for embracing her now. Let us do our
duty 10 ourselves, and his life for il, not
ripple would appear on The surface OF the civliz-
ed world in consequence France or England
would never interfere. They understood The law
OF nations too well. They We're too wise 10 place
themselves in the wrong BY an armed iDterie-
renee with us on such ground. Mr. b. did not
profess TO he well acquainted with the present
state OF our foreign relations; yet he ietvery con-
hdent there was no danger OF wal; but if there
were, in Just cause he would not dread it,
now come (said Mr.. b. 10 the last topic
The only objection 10 the admission Of Texas lie
serving serious consideration, is, that i, will ex-
tend the area Of slavery. II il were not for this
consideration. the country would be as unanl-
nous on this subject, as itcver had been on any
great question. The abolitonsis and the warm
advocates OF negro emancipation oppose the ad-
mission of Texas, Tor this and iorno other reason.
But are there not considerations which entirely
nulliiy this objection and cast The weight OF The
argument on The oliler side? i; may spread
slavery over large surface, but will II increase
The number OF >avcsl No man in his senses be-
lieves that Texas, independent, will abolish sia-
very. England has strained every nerve 10 m
duce her 10 adopt this measure; but all IN VAN.
England has offered 10 guarantee her indepen-
dencc; 10 obtain the recognition OF her indepen-
dence b. Mexico on this conditions; but all herel-
forts have proved nnavailng. Then slavery IS
destined 10 exist in Texas, whether We admit her
into our Union or not.
The admission Of Texas will forever prevent
the foreign slave trade from reaching her shores
Alter the millions oi treasure which have been
expended hy England and the immense loss OF
human lille which she has incurred III The sup
preston Of this infamous trade, il appears 10 be
still nearly as lourshipg as ever Indeed, lis hor-
rurs have been increased by the attempts al con
is he Ian op al
li>h publications.
Now, Sir, even the keen-eyed aboiiioni>ts
have never, 10 my knowledge, even charged that
the Southern Planters had encouraged the traffic
BY purchasing African slaves. This trade has
been The scouIse Of Africa ard The disgrace 81
the civilized wcrd; but our Southern friends
stand guiless Of participating in It's enoraties.
None OF the people Of Texas belonging 10 our
race ever participated. or lrrs, ever will part;ci.
pate, in il. But let Texas be independent, and
adventures from all nations will rush into is
fruitful territory; and what cupdty has done in
one portion Of Tie world il viii do in another. By
the admission OF Texas, you forever remove this
danger.
So TAR from the admission OF Texas being Ia
vorable 10 slavery, is it not more probable that
this may eventually prove the means, under an
allwise Providence, OF removing iii.om our bor
iersl lis effects will soon be fell upon The North
ern slave States Before the fatal agitation o!
abolition arose, hi, happy event, in regard to Sc
veral OF these STATES, was approaching its con-
summation. The current OF public opinion was
running strongly in this direction. In the House
of Delegates in Virginia, Tie grandson OF Mr..
Jefferson had Introduced proposition having in
view gradual emancipation, which, iimy memory
serves me- was lost BY a single vote. The abol
ton excitement al once Put an end 10 these bright
prospects.
The admission of Texas will put causes int
operation which must produce the same result
Slave labor, like every other commodity, will
seek the most profitable market. Will my friend
from Virginia, (Mr. Archery say that slave la
Dor is now profitable in cutivating the exhausted
soil Of his State and in raising wheat and prov.
sions? Certainly not, The time has nearly ar
rived in that State, torc.old by Mr.. Randolph,
when If tie slave did moi run away from his mas.
ter the master must run away from the slave
The admission Of Texas will produce gradual
drain Of slaves from The more Northern slave
States. They will 20 10 a country more congo
NAL 10 their constitution and where they will pro-
tably be better FED and clothed; because their Ia
Dor will be more productive, and their masters
can afford 10 grant them more OF the comforts OF
life.
In reviewing lie humble part which | have
taken in public affairs, during period no, now
short, there is nothing which Can review with
more pleasure than the course which have pnr-
sued on the subject of slavery. When first
came into the Senate found the abolition excite
Inent much more violent and active than it is nj
present The mails were then loaded with pic,o
rial representations calculated 10 arouse The pas
sions of the slave and excite him 10 vengeance
The danger of servile instruction was then i'm
minent. Those engaged in the agitation belicred
thai, they were doing Gods service. Honest ianati
ciSn in the history OF our race, has done as much
evil, and she'd as much human blood as any other
cause. The agitation threatened The existence Of
tie Union. Ii could MOI be supposed that fathers
and mothers, who went 10 bed trembling al night
lest their mansions should be involved in Flames
before the morning aud all the horrors Of servle
instruction nigh, be their fate, would long
cling 10 union with people who encouraged
such cnormiiics. Seli-preservaion is the first
law of nature, and above all other laws.
Surrounded by these circumstances, ! took my
stand on this question, from which have never
since departed Under The Constitution the
Southern States have rights guaranteed TO them,
and these rights | determined that | would never
risk-wih The blessings o. this glorious Coincide
racy and all The benefits which il holds ont, not
only 10 ourselves, but 10 the whole human rice
for the sake OF an unavaing philanthropy The
constitutional rights o the South, under our con-
siuional compact, are as much entitled 10 pro-
lection a. those OF any other potion Of The Union.
stand b. the Constitution as it IS and, 50 far
as know, a large majority Of my constituents
have approved my course. | need no; saw that
never owned slave, and know that shall ne
ver own one am 70: friendly 10 slavery in the alb
straci, and look TO Texas as Tie probable means
Of relieving the Union from slavery at some dis
tant day.
The counsels OF the Almighty are never RASH
A thousand years are 10 Him but as one day
The past, the present and The future are al be-
fore Him. He operates great changes in the
moral world by gradual means. May not the adj
mission of Texas gradually draw our slave po-
pulation from the centre 10 the Southern exirein-
" OF our Union, and eventually may they not
pass The Del Nore, and be incorporated with
race where they may enjoy their freedom with
out lha, taint OF degradation which they mus;
ever eYneripnce among the Anglo A mprican rarp1