Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-02-11
RICHMOND, VA.
Monday Morning, February 10, 1915.
THE GREAT QUESTION OF THE DAY.
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Monday Morning, February ~, 1917.
THE GREAT QUESTION OF THE DAY
TO The People of Puginia-An0fheT Appeal
Again we call upon you to scan the course oil your
Representatives, 10 investigate their position CLOSE
y 10 pass judgment upon their acts ana uecisio''S'
with The caudor and sincerity Of patriots, VINO can
discard their partisan feelings for the safely Oh 'Ne
South, and Of our whole country. ;,
We appeal 10 the People, the fountain Oh al az
power 10 know, whether Texas is 10 be losl py
The votes OF the Senators of Virginia. whether lhe
Legislature of Virginia shall refuse 10 express inc
wishes of the people in that authoritative manle'
that shall command respect and obedience; no
and what are the Senators of Virginia, that 1ney
shall mol be instructed commanded requileo =, 70
carry out the wishes of the people! onall 'ne
servant say to his sovereign, II will mol opey, OF
| will not comply with your Instructions! 9nal,
the representative dare 10 say TO the people lfoii
whom flows his whole authority, i VIII no' lI-
gard nor respect your wshesl" Away with Sucn
bold prelensions such daring assumptions, which
NAV be tolerated in the mouth OF a crowned heau
10 his vassal, lord 10 his scrl, but never from
Virginia Senator 10 people whose sovereignty
he represents in the capacity OF trustee. IL Is
high time that the people should assert and mann
tain their rights in the bold, manly language mat
belongs 10 treenen.
The House Of Representatives has passed a
Joint resolution for The admission OF Texas as a
State into this Union. We insert again thai res
olulion, for the examination Of the people. II IS
in these words:
.Pesolrcd 6vthe Senate and House Of Representa-
tires of The United States Of america IN Cor gTcs
assembled, That Congress doth consent that Inc
territory properly included within, and rightiniy
belonging 10 the Republic Of Texas, may be cree
led into new State, TO be called the Stale oil Tex
as with Republican form OF Government 10 De
adopted by the people Of said Republic, BY dcpu
ties in Convention assembled, with The consent
the existing Government, in order that the sam.
NAV be admitted as one Of The States OF this Unl
on. -,
"Sgc. 2. And be ii further resolrcd, That The
foregoing consent of Congress is given upon lh'
following conditions, and with The following guar
antics, 10 wit:
"Fra. Said State 10 be formed, subject 10 lh'
adjustment by this Government Of all questions
Of boundary that may arise with other Govern
ments: and the Constitution thereof, with the pro
per evidence otis adoption by the people of sale
Republic of Texas, shall be transmitted 10 the
President OF the United States, 10 be laid before
Congress for its final action, on or before the hrs
day of January, one thousand eight hundred ant
forty-six.
"Sccon9 Said Stale, when admitted into the
Union. after ceding 10 the United States, all pub
lie ediliceS. Notifications, barracks, ports anc
harbors, navy and navy-yarls docks magazines
arms ornaments, and ell other property and
means pertaining 10 the public defence belonging
10 said Republic Of Texas, shall retain all the
public funds, debts taxes, and dues OF every kind
which NAV belong TO, or be due and owing TO SAID
Republic; and shall also retain all The vacant and
Incorporated lands lying within lis limits, lt
be applied 10 the payment of The debts and llabi'
lties Of said Republic of Texas; and the residue
of said lands, after diSchargng said debts and
liabilities, to be disposed OF as said State may d.
rect. but in no event are said debts and liabilities
10 becom, charge upon The Government OF the
United States.
"IHiyd. New States, ofconvenient size, not eX-
ceedins four in number, in addition 10 said State
of Texas. and having sufficient population, may
hereafter, by the consent OF said State be formed
out of the territory thereof, which shall be en-
titled 10 admission under the provisions oil ihe't'e-
deral Constitution. And such States as may be
formed ont Of that portion Of said territory lying
south OF thirly-six degrees thirty minutes North
latitude, commonly known as the Missouri com
promise line. shall be admitted into the Union
with or without slavery, as the people of each
State asking admission may desire; and in such
States as shall be formed out OF said territory
north of said Missouri compromise line, slavery
or involuntary servitude, except for crime shall
be prohibited"
Let US carefully analyze the conditions ana
guaraaties set forth in the resolution:
ls,. II provides, that the whole of the present
territory of Texas may be erected into State IL
he called Texas with republican form OF Gov
ernment, and that The same may be admitted as
one Of the States of this Union.
2nd. Congress shall have The power OF adjust,
ing The boundaries with other Governments and
the Constitution TO be adopted BY the people OF
Texas. to be submitted TO Congress for its approx
al before the 1st of January 1873.
ID. Texas is to give 10 the United States all her
Navy. Notifications, ports, harbors, &c, and TO re-
tain all debts due TO her, and TO pay all Of hedcbts
due from her. In no event is the United States
10 become liable for any OF the debts OF Texas
So that the admission Of Texas is not TO cost the
people of the United States one single cent but
The United States is 10 receive as gilt all The
arms, armaments, money, &C., belonging 70 rex
as and to pay no money for them.
ih The State of Texas may consent 10 form
four other new States out OF her Territory, which
shall be admitted into the Union. But slavery IS
prohibited North OF 3Gi degrees latitude IN the
Territory of Texas, as il now is in the Territory
Of the United States. The Missouri Compro
mise line will pass through Texas, and be the d
ydne line of slavery throughout the entire limit:
of the United States In the States 10 be formed
ont of The Territory, South of 36i degrees, The
States NAV prohibit slavery or not, as their nhab
tants NAV think fit. Precisely as every Stale now
in The Union may prohibit modify, or abolish
slavery as such State deems best.
Il is TO be observed, that the larger portion 0
the Territory OF Texas lies South OF 3Gi degrees
and the whole of il would be Slaveholding States
unless the people Of the States choose TO pro-
hibit slavery. The Territory would be cut up
into five States, as the resolution authorizes; am
unless The mountainous country and The colder
climate forbid the settlement OF slavery, HE mos
OF these States irouldbc Stare States. Our North
ern friends have consented 10 this division of TIM
Territory. They have agreed 10 divide ii By lati
tude 3Gi, and give TO the slavehoidins interes
four out Of the five States, il The people o
those States were not prevented by local causes
or their own inclinations: from adopting the in
stilution Of slavery. This division is not merel,
just and proper, but II is liberia and advantage
ous to the South. We could ask no better terms
we can Set no SdICl SHGidH'SS,' n "a % PioPOi
lion Of The whole may be added 10 The strength 0
the slaveholding and Southern interests. 1t is Il
cost us no money-all vexa,ious, asitating ant
disturbing questions are settled by the provi
sions in the most distinct manner Will III,
State OF Virginia refuse TO close the bargain-t
accept the terms-to command in the most EN-
phatic manner her Senators TO vote for Texas
Let the sequel tell; and lei the blush of SHANE
mantle the cheek of every lrue-hearted patriot
as he reads The shuiiling, evasive, non-commitla
course Of his representatives in the General As
sembly Let his soul be fired with indignation
when he sees drilled party majority, blinded b
their passions and jsalousies, acting in concel
with and aiding the abolition party al The North
on slavery misunderstanding the South, re
fusing the protiered boon, rejecting the faires
and most fertile country on The face Of the globe
obs,ina,cly and foolishly sacrificing the on
chance 10 restore just equilibrium between DIFF
ferent sections of this great Coniederacy. It
too bad. We cannot denounce that fell spirit c
party in language too strong-nor paint its feal
iul consequences in colors too glowing.
The rejection OF Texas involves fearful an
porlcntous issues. Its annexation is not only ne
casS,ry IN orr interests hut indSnpnSahle IN oIl