The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-02-06

chance for anhexing Texas would expire with
this Congress and, finally, after months dis
eussion in the House OF Representatives, during
which every objection that could be urged against
the Joint Resolution now before the Senate was
promptly and triumphanrly dispelled, il would
surely be a poor freak Of a mind thoroughly OBJ
fused, TO suppose, for single. moment, that this
ampuIsted vemin, this spawn OF conglomera-
ton Of detection and treachery, should swallow
up everything that has been devised in good
faith and sincerity, like another Aaron's rod!
If Colonel Benton was an absolute monarch,
of course his word would be the law, and every
body under his control would bow TO his dlcta-
ZION. But 10 this land of liberty, Legislators can
only acquire controlling influence by superior
craftsmanship. And when, Perchance, pub
lie man attempts to carry his point in spite OF
the dictates Of wisdom, in opposition TO the
convictions of the People, and in defiance Of
the action of the popular branch of Congress
he is no statesman-he is a mere political bully.
We give ''Col. Benton's bill" in this number Of
our paper, and all his remarks, as reported by
him for the Globe, that our readers may Judge
| for themselves 10 what extent he merits the rep
rotation Of the sincere advocates Of immediate
annexation. He says that, although he has
cunaled his project Of some of its details, he
does not abandon them, but expects President
Polk 10 join them together again, and be gov
erned by their guidance. In short, "by one
speech" Colonel Benton "kills the measure OF
immediate annexation" as il has been adopted
in the House proposes TO admit, by solemn
enactment, 10 be in full force from its passage,)
foreign State into the Unon before the territory
of which il is 10 be composed shall be acquired !
and at a subsequent period, land after the State
is admitted into the Union,) he prescribes the
manner in which negotiations shall be opened,
for the purpose Of endeavOring to acquire the
territory!
i We would most resp ecfully, but at the same
time most emphatically, beg leave TO state that,
from all the information we have been enabled
to obtain, Colonel Polk is truly and heartily in
favor of the Anne xation of Texas TO this Union ;
and that, in the event OF the rejection OF the
measure which has passed the House, and all
other measures which may be proposed during
this Congress, he will undoubtedly, If It should
fortunately be not too late, endeayor by negotla-
ton, and by all other constitutional means IN
his power, to effect its consummation. And
we are as thoroughly convinced that Col. Polk
has sufficiently studied the Constitution OF his
country, and so far succeeded in comprehend
ing the duties and powers Of the Executive
branch Of the Government, as to dispense with
the instructions and admonitons contained in
Col Benton's bill" 1t certainly requires no le-
? gislative enactment to permit or enable the Ex-
ecutive to open negotiations with any foreign
power; and il i, equally certain that, in giving
instructions TO our diplomatic agents, the Presi'
dent is empowered by the Constitution TO act
without the instructions of the Senate. When
he concludes treaty, then the Senate may act
independently Of him. But this bob.tailed
tn ing seeks TO establish precedent of legisla-
tive dictation
; The expressed purpose Of Col. Benton's
Iusus natura, is to defeat the immediate re-ac-
QUESTION of the territory of Texas; its ultimate
design is TO ignite political volcano, which is
to enable its authors TO control the pa
uonage of the new Administration, or
to overwhelm it, during its entire existence,
with incessant belchings Of red-hot lava Col.
Benton declared last May, 1--WE have it on good
authority he "would rather see the Democrat
ic party sunk fifty fathoms in hell, than that any
other man than Mr.. Van Buren, should be nom
mated" During the campaign his weight was
added, with other prominent Observation-Disclosures,
to sink it; and since the triumph Of the De-
mocracy, on the strength Of the Texas question,
he has declared in the presence of member OF
the Missouri Legislature, that "if Col. Polk
should dare TO say immediate Annexation once,
he would make the Presidential chair too hot to
hold him." And now we see his plan devel-
oped and although it is an Insignificant affair
IN the estimation of others, it will serve him as
pretext and means to utter his predetermined
anathemas.
If Texas must be acquired by negotiation,
why did Col. Benton oppose the treaty acquiring
it in that manner2 He had sworn vengeance
against Messrs. Tyler and Calhoun, and he
made VOW to subject them to the modification
and disgrace of seeing the work done over again,
by other hands, under his (Col. B.'s) dctaton
If he is in favor of annexing Texas immediate
ly, and at the same time resoring to negotiation
Cf other modes should faiD why not pass the
measure from the House, and in the event of its
insufficiency and rejection by Texas, leave the
negotiation las the Constitution does) to the
discretion of the President ? Col. Polk is as
anxious for Annexation as Col. Benton, and will
have Constitutional advisers of sufficient cabre
to dispense with the instructions in "Col. Ben
tons bill" But who knops that the measure
from the House, now before the Senate, would
r be rejected by Texas2 General Lamar, now
in this city, and formerly President of Texas
, says it would be accepted.
Twice has Texas sought to be annexed BY