Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-03-15
SPEECH OF Mn. HUNTINGTON,
OF CONNECTICUT,
On the Resolution for the .4nnerafion Of I'eras

The resolution for the of Texas the United
States and for her admission into the Union being under
sideration Mr. HUNTINGTON addressed the Senate as
follows
Mr.. PRESIDENT If the ilustrious men who framed the
Constitution under which here assembled could have
risen from their graves, and heard what have heard diff
een days for several days past they would have been filled
with surprise not only but with perfect establishment Wash
ington, and Madison, and Hamilton and Sherman, and Nor
s with their associates, selected by
UNITED STATEs TO form Constitution for PEOPLE, to
be adopted rejected by Hence the preamble com
mences We the people of the United States 1t subse-
queny declares that they odan and establish tins Consul
tuition for the United States OF America and states It's oec
be s. form perfect Union, establish justice, ensure
domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence pro-
mote the general welfare, and secure the blessings oil liberty
OURSELVES posTERITr. The Constitution mus
framed was ordained established by and for people who
had gone through long and bloody war to achieve Their m
dependence for people of the same blood habits feelings
and pursuits and who had united in common cause to ac-
complish the glorious object II not ordained Tor
foreign natonor people who had no sympaihes with those
who fought the battles of the Revolution and secured the IN
dependence of their country who had identity OF feeling
and interest," and object with them who not united with
them the bond of suffering, of danger, and OF
triumph Ii established for PEOPLE OF THE UNITED
STATES PosTERITr. In tins view, how great
would be the surprise of the statesmen and patriots who ax
ed their signatures that Constitution they could burst the
eeromen Of .hr grave and STANDING Ia this sAamher should
listen the interpretations which given to this their mighty
work. within little than fifty years from the time OF It's
completion should hear the claims for power and authority
which asserted and the right maintained 10 transform
Constitution made for the UNITED STATES THE PEOPLE
THEREOF THEIR PosTERITr into a Constitution for the
people Of Texas of South America for people of every color
and language and habits who might dwell on this any
other continent the islands of the And yet all
this present, they would hear. Well, them does it be-
Senator's inquire whether these unhead of and
dangerous doctrines shall prevail and to raise the voice of
monsrance and protest against them No overrate
the importance Of this subject fully comprehend the mag
nude of the results which depend lit The country has
passed through many trials and encountered for
mdabe obstacles in its onward march greatness and glory
has been, at different periods, great danger from heret
cal doctrines attempted to be practically carried out in its egs
lative and executive proceedings But be-
fore has it reached such crisis present exists We
stand the outermostedge of the precpce. sin
gle step further may precpae into Unreasonable gulf
from whence the prospect of return may perhaps will be
hopeless Hasy and nconsderae legislation may be in gen
era corrected many unconstitutional may be
deed nugatoy by the nness and independence of the Su
preme Court Executive usupaton ndscretion may be
checked but this resolution which, il me- strikes
at the foundations of the Constitution should pass will lead
10 results from which fear extricate ourselves
Ii this precedent shall be established there constitution
al barrier which not be overeaped If Texas be
nexed to the Union by act there is
thing forbidden to legislative authority, and there egis
lstlve usurpaton which be successfully praced
Well might the honorable Senator from Virginia Mr. RIvEs
say that this subject of Ianscendan Importance 1t
more important my Judgment than any which has
gagged the deliberations Of the Senate since that glorious Con-
stItution framed which gave to powers impos
ed upon Its duties and its responsibilities 1t is subject
fecs our national honor, credit, character harmony peace
prosperity may he National Union. And is on
such SUBJECT that propose occupy portion of the time
OF the Senate, and while speaking further oppor-
tuni'y VIII De Afforded for examination reflection and
decision On many of the topics with this subject
have heretofore had honor of expressing nv opinion
while the treaty with Texas under consideration in Exc
cutve session. and although hardly be expected after
the full discussion which has undergone here and elsewhere
that any thing I've added still the immense import
ance OF the SUBJECT and Of the consequences which may fol-
O tho Gntnf,ny
devoved on me by the patriotic Commonwealth which
am indebted for many proofs of confidence demand of
that should speak for my constituents and in their and
behalf warning against this usurpation auho
Hyaganst of legislation calculated break down
the guarantees of the Constitution, and leading
dangerous, if not fatal, results
The resolution adopted by the House OF Representatives.
which requested to sanction, and which under
consideration, a follows
JOINT RESOLUTION declaring the terms which Con-
gress viii admit Texas into the Union as a State.
BE resolved BIZ e Senate House of Rebresuta1es
he United Sates Of 3neica in Congress assembled That
Congress doth that the territory properly ncuced
may be erected into State, be- called the State
Ieras with republican form of Government he adopted
by the people Of said Republic, by deputies convention
sembled with the Of the existing Government in order
that the may be admitted Of The States Of this
Union.
Sec lind be further resolved That the foregoing con-
sent OF Congress is given upon the following conditions
with the following guarantees, to wit
First Said State to be formed subject the adjustment BY
this Government of all questions Of boundary that arise
governments; Constitution thereof,
the proper evidence Of its adoption by the people Of said Re-
public OF Texas shall be transmitted the President
United States be laid before Congress for its final action
before the first day OF January thousand eight hundred
and fJrty-sx.
Second Said State when admitted into the Union, after
cedng to the United States all public edhces fohcaons
barracks por and harbors and navy yards docks
gazines ornaments, and all other property and
pertaining TO the public defence belonging said Republic OF
Texas shall retain all the public funds debts taxes and dues
Of every kind which belong be due and owing said
Republic and shall also retain all the and unappror
ated lands lying within its limits be applied the payment
ct the debts and liabilities Of said Republic Of Texas and the
residue OF said lands after dscharng said debts and liabilities
TO be disposed OF as said State direct but
said debts and Liabilities charge upon the Govern
fthe United States
Third New States Of convenient exceeding
number in addition said State Of Texas having su
cent population, may hereafter by tic Of said State
be formed out of the territory thereof which shall be entitled
admission under the provisions Of the Federal Constitution
Aud such States may be formed Of portion Of said
territory lying south Of trtysix degrees thirty north
latitude commonly known the Missouri compromise line
shall be admitted into the Union with without slavery the
people OF each State asking admission may desire And such
State States shall be formed Of said territory north
said Missouri compromise line slavery Involuntary servtue
Except for crimes) shall be prohibited
To the adoption Of this resolution there are three distinct
objections.
The Government of the United States has no consu-
tonal power, any form, admit independent foreign
Government into the Union
H. II such power does exist cannot exercised in the
form OF an act joint resolution Of Congress The territory
must hrst be acquired by the Executive departmen-the
treaty making power-and then m at ALI State is to be made
OF u by the acton Of the lie yslative department
Ill II this power does exist, and NAV be exered in the
form OF treaty, of act or Of resolve OF Congress il
would be and dangerous exercise in the presnt