Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-10-07
"The Aren OF rrccdom..,

BY the proclamation OF Gen. kearncy, inserted in yes
ierday's paper, and a similar document issued by Com
Slost n few weeks since. IL will be seen. that those off
GERS, acting no doubt under instructions from Washington
have not only invaded aud conquered certain portions o
the Mexican Republic, but they have gone a bow-sho
beyond any thing ever before heard or dreamed Of. a
within the limits OF possibility, under unconstitutional govern
mont, by formally declaring that tho provinces OF Caifor
MIA and New Mexico are ANNEXED To THE
UNITED A :! In what clause OF tho Con
sttuuon, We ask. does the President find authority
to extend the area OF freedom" by has own mere Cat
When Texas was annexed to the Union, IL was deem.
ed necessary by Mr.. Tyler to enter into 4 forma
treaty, and TO submit that treaty to the Senate for its
action. IL was rejected by that body, and annexation was
for the time defeated. Subsequently, however, the object
was accomplished BY a palpable infringement OF the con-
sntuuon. But still the CONSENT or CONGRESS was deemed
an indispensable prerequisite. before that great measure,
50 agdenty desired by n large portion Of our cOunuymen,
and so vigorously urged, could be eonsummated. Mr.. Pok,
however. does not deign to consult Congress. lie anneIes
vast provinces to the Union by tho mere prOclamancns Of
his Commodcres and G~enersls-absOlves their citizens from
allegiance to the government under which they were born,
BY a verbal ediet-eNacis from them an oath OF allegiance
to the United Statcs-deelares that they shall be punished
AS TRAITORS If they shall be found fighting under the
flag OF Mexico, their persons subjected to punishment, and
their property to acknowledgements TO provide for
them " a free government with the least possible delay, 81.
milsr to those Of the L.. States announces that they will
soon be called uPOI to choose their representatives to a Ter
riiorisl Legislature-and 30 far as the commander OF the
army in New Mexico is concerned, Inc caps the climax, by
proclaiming himself GOVERNOR Of this newly annexed
territory, as well as commander Of the American forces
Why, what is he bu; A DICTATOR, exercising ESecu.
tive, Legislative and Judicial powers over a people, whom
he 4" claims as ciuzens OF the United States, but who,
II they be so, have acquired the rights Of citizenship by
the most summary process Of naturalization surely ever
yet heard OF in this land! Can 1t be possible that Cent
Kearney has been appointed Governor Of New Mexico by
the President liso, whence does the President derive the
power 10 CREATE A NEW oTFcEi Or does that power nc
eessarily follow the far greater power which he has usarp-
cd, of anneGing vast territories to the Union by Proclama.
toni Why, if President Tyler hal only thought OF this
e~Spediont, what trouble he might have been spared, in the
Texas affair All that would have been necessary would
have been to order Gen. Gaines 10 seize upon it, capital,
dcpose It's officers, administer new oaths Of allegiance after
absolving them from their old, and proclaim himself Gov
ernor Of the newly acquired State Never, VIC boldly as
sert, since the foundation OF this government, has an act Of
such daring and fragrant usurpation Of power been attempt
ed. Never has the constitution been so ~recklesiy rrampled
under foot. There Is but one thing more necessary TO CON.
plete the picture OF an unlimited despousm-snd that Is for
Mr.. Polk to admit California and New Mexico into the
Union, on a footing with the other States, without deigning
10 consult the representatives OF the peOple-au act which
unquostionably he has precisely the same right TO do thai
he has 10 annex territory 10 the Union without the sanction
Of Congress.
If any thing can arouse the PcoPle TO a sense OF the
dangers which threaten their free institutions, surely this
usurpaion OF power must have that effect Yet there is
too much reason to fear that even this gross outrage WILDE
not only approved, bu; ~applauded! And even the very
men who will uphold this act will talk about "stTiet con
struefioH :" will deseant by the hour upon tie prohibitions
and limitations OF the constitution and viii swear, If need
be, by the resolutions Of $3.50!