Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-12-27
ADMISSION OF TEXAS.
IN SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, Die.

ported the joint resolutions from the other House providing
the admission Of Texas State into this Union footing
with the original States, substitute for the bill heretoor
offered on the same subject
The joint resolutions having been read
Mr., WEBSTER and addressed the Senate follows
am quite aware, Mr. President that this resolution viii pass
It has passed the other House of Congress by large mo
ty, and Is quite well known that there decided majority
IN this House also in favor of its passage There mem
bers of this body sir who opposed the which came
before Congress at its last for the annexation OF Iexa
who nevertheless will very probably feel themselves now IN
consequence Of the resolutions of last session. and IN conse
quence of the proceedings of Texas upon those resolutions
bound to vote for her admission into the Union DO no. m
tend, Mr.. President argue either oil the queshohs W
discussed here at the of Congress- and which
have been SO much discussed throughout the country within
the three years Mr. President there IS no citizen OF this
country who was more kindly disposed towards the people OF
Texas than myself from the time they achieved In SO very ex
raornary manner neutrality-suspicious. from the Mexican Go
vernncn shown, hope, in another place, and shall
show in i'll situations and under all circumstances just and
proper regard for the people OF that country but with respect
its exaon to this Union, il well known that, from
the first of such dea have felt it my du-
y steadily, uniformly, and zealousy to oppose it. have ex-
pressed opinions and urged arguments against it, where
and all occasions which the subject under cons
deraton. / could now, if were to go the whole
topic again. adduce any views, support old views as
far as am aware by any arguments or illustrations My
efforts have been and unwcaed but like those of
others, tcy have failed of will therefore, sir, il
very words acting under the unanimous resolution and
of both branches of the Legislature of Massachu
conformity settled judgment and
full conviction, recapituate before the Senate and before the
community the objections which have prevailed and must al
ways prevail, with against this measure of annexation In
the first place. have the deepest reflection long ago
the conclusion that of very dangerous tendency and
doubtful consequences enlarge the boundaries of this Gov
the territories which laws estab
ished There must be limit to the extent OF terri
tory, if we would make institutions permanent And in
this pemancncy lives the great subject of all my political eff
FORTS the paramount object of my political regard The Gov
enment very likely to be endangered in my opinion, by
further enlargement Of its already vast territorial surface
In the place, have always wished that this country
should exhibit the nations Of the earth the example of
great rch and powerful republic, which not possessed by
spirit Of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. It is example, think due
from the world in favor OF the character of republican
government l.
In the place, sir, have say, that while hold, with
much integrity trust and fathiuness any citizen OF this
country to all the original arrangements and compromises
which the Constitution under which live adopt
ed never could and can, persuade myself to be in
of the admission of other States the Union slave
States with the inequalities which allowed and accord
u to the slavehong States then in existence by the Cons
uon do think that the free States expected,
Gould expect that they would be called to admit further
ave States having the advantages, the unequal advantages
arising 10 them from the mode of apporuoning representation
lnder the existing Constitution.
Sir have made effort, and never propose to make
effort have countenanced an effort and never mean
countenance effort disturb the arrangements orgi
tally made by which the various States into the Unions
,ut cannot avoid considering it quite different question
when proposition is made admit States and that they
allowed in with the advantages and nequal
les which existed in regard TO the DID, may be said that
according the provisions of the Constitution States
to be admitted upon the footing the old States.
nay be but it does follow all from that provision
hat every territory portion Of country may at pleasure
establish slavery and then VIII become portion OF the
Cnion and will bring with the principles which we have
hus adopted and must be received ON the sams cong as the
old States 1t will always be question whether the other
have not right (and think they have the ceares
gh require that the State coming into the Union should
upon equality and, il the existence OF slavery be
impeachment coming in equality, Then the State
proposing in should be required TO remove that me
Quality by aoshing slavery take the alternative of being
excluded Now, do suppose that should be very safe IN
saying that proposition made to introduce from the
North or the Northwest territories this Union, under
which would them equivalent to that en-
loyed by slave Staesadvanage and inequality that to
the South such this admission gives to the South
the NORTH take it for granted that there is not gentleman
this body from savehoding State that would listen for
one moment TO such proposition therefore put my oppo-
sion well other grounds on the political ground that
deanges the balance of the Constitution and creates inc
quality and unjust advantages against the Morrill, and IN favor
Of the savehoding country Of the South repeat, that
If proposition made for annexations from the
North and that proposition contained such peferencesuch
manifest inequality that before us no one could hope
that gentleman from the Southern States would hearken
10 IL for moment.
1t is subject that msan TO discuss at large am
quite aware that this chamber gentlemen repre-
senng free States gentlemen from the North and East who
manifested disposition TO add Texas to the Union as
ave State with the inequality belonging to slave
States This is matter for their discretion and Judg-
nent and responsibility they in no way responsible to
the exercise Of the duties assigned them here but
say that cannot think that the time will come when
hey will very much doubt both the proPcty and the justice
Of the present proceeding cannot but think that the time
will come when all will be convinced that there is no reason
political moral for increasing the circle OF the States IN
crcasng the time the obvious neq atty which docs
the representation of the people in Congress by ex
tending slavery and slave representation
On looking the proposition further, lind that II imposes
restraints upon the Legislature the State to the manner in
whchi shall proceed in of desire TO IN or
der the abolition Of slavery have perused that part OF the
Constitution Of Texas and, il understand it, the Legislature
is restrained from aboshng slavery at any time, except on
conon the Of every MASTER and the other
the payment Of compensation Now, think that Constl-
tuition thus formed docs tic up the hands Of the Legislature
eecuay against any movement under any state Of crcum-
stances, with abolish slavery because any thing
be done be done within the State by general
law and such thing the Of every cannot
be Obtained though do say that there may not be in
hcrent power in the people Texas alter the Constitution
If they should be inclined relieve themselves hereafter
from the restraint under which they labor But speak ofhe
Constitution presented 10 US.
Mr. President in the councils of the United States
at the last session Of Congress- and Of course had oppor
uny part in the debates upon this question have
before been called upon discharge public trust in regard
tot certainly did, private citizen, entertain strong
feeling that il Texas be brought into the Union ALL
toned by treaty but has been decided otherwise by both
Houses Congress and whatever my opinions may be-
know that many who conceded with feel themselves
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