Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-01-01

TEOTgIM OTIITWUIV UTTIU5VU
grounds as 10 its want of constitutional power, vet
there another portion who were decided advocates
of the measure. His present impression, in relation
10 the views Of the people OF Georga, was
this: that those who were originally opposed now de-
sired, as he did, that this question: which had so long
apated and excited the people, should be sat at rest.
He, therefore, concurred entirely In the opinonand
there was an act OF the Legislature pledgng the pub
lie faith OF the people Of Texas, and joint resolution
providing that they should be admitted into the Union,
he would now vote Tor the measure. Whatever con.
sdcrninns the question involved he was still opposed
to il in his conscience; but, as the public faith was
pledged, under lis sanction he would record his vote
1t was perfectly free Senators to discuss this qucs-
iona question as to the propricty Of nnnexing 10 this
Union Texas as a slave State II cerianly could not
he expected from him. coming from the State Of Geo,
that he could enter into the objections which pre-
scented by the Senator from Massachusetts, Mr. Web
sterl in relation to his vote upon the question The
pledge had been given and should be redeemed, and
the terms should he complied with as provided for by
legislature. lie (Mr b. had given considerations to
the constitution which had been adopted in Tela-
ton to the people Of Texas. lie saw nothing IN me
resolution IN relation To slavery which the constitution
did not warrant aud, 10 reference TO the introduction
of that law which referred to the subject o the
emancipation Of slaves he considered il was beyond
The province Of the Congress OF the United States TO
introduce such DIV II was perfectly open TO any
Senator to discuss the question the ground as TO IFS
being calculated TO disturb the balance of constitutions
oil power in the coniederacy of the Union; but the
question in relation TO slavery was one which exclu-
svey belonged the States, and which Congress had
not the power TO interfere.
Mr. Miles of Connecticut followed. lie rose merely
to offer few remarks explanatory Of the reasons
which had induced him to vote for the resolutions. Ii
was not bis intention to make an issue with his own
State on the question involved. With regard TO The
doctrine of instructions, he maintained that TO be bind
ing-to possess any moral obligaton-instruciiOns
must assume n distinct, definite form. The legisla-
tufe OF his State had simply expressed its opinion on
the question, and left him. in the same spirit OF free
dom and federation, TO exercise his own Judgment
That judgment he would exercise lie did not view
the subjec: in any sectional party aspect. He re-
garded II in IFS broad and comprehensive character
not affecting pary-not affecting any paricu-
lar intefests-not as affecting the balance Of power,
lavorably unlavorabybut affecting the general
welfare Of the republic and the great Of human
liberty II was, indeed, great national question. II
was one most intimately connected with the perpetu
ty and progress Of the republic In his own State IL
was viewed by many In that broad light IL was not,
then, party question. Many Of those political
" opposed TO him were in favor the measure. Nor
was it a unlavorably affecting his constituent
ey. On the contrary, " any sections OF the county
were 10 be peculiarly benefited by the measure, those
interests located the Eastern shores would be spec
tally benefited The interests OF the mauuiactu ring
and commercial classes would be materially promoted
by ii. Still he had entertained very serious objections
to the form Of the resolutions; and he and few who
thought with him, had endeavored to give 10 the reso-
luiians acceptable form In his opinion il was
right and just, It was wise and sound policy TO intro
duce and carry out spirit oil mutual compromise TO
the fafthest possible extent That was the true buss
of representation in Congress. The government had
been organized IN that spirit. And the peculiar
circumstances and condition Of the country required
the part OF ALL ncious craftsmanship and rigid adhe
renee 10 that Just and salulary principle.
Mr. n. then went on al some length to explain his
course IN reference TO the Of Texas anncxa-
ton, but was almost alloge naudibe in the reporters
gallery. He was understood TO say that he had given
his acuuiescencc 10 the measure: he did moi regret H.
ha sbaf 49,
ject had been accomplished had been acceptable
as he had desired. lie then proceeded 10 the OBJ
lecion raised in some quarters 10 the effect that
tension Of the territorial limits Of the repubic not
desirable. lie had no apprehension on that score; on
the contrary he had seen with pleasure and pride the
extension Of The boundaries Of the country. That
principle Of territorial extension was one that lay at
the very foundation Of the government When the
coniederacy was 6rst formed, the wise men who were
at the head of affairs did not contemplate that this
Union was 10 be limited TO its then boundaries. They
looked forward 10 an enlargement OF those boundaries
They made provision for the introduction OF new
States into the Union. From that day TO the present
II has been the policy OF the government 10 extend
our territorial possessions; yet never had the national
councils been strongly influenced by grasping spirit
OF acknowledgements Whatever might have been said
on The other side of the Senate that point there has
been nothing in the history Of the action Of the United
States government 10 justify the accusation that
had been actuated by feverish anxiety 10 possess
more territory But as occasions had been offered as
rial limits by the acquisition OF additional possessions
we had not hesitaied TO use and embrace them. That
had been, thus FAR the policy Of the government and
he hoped il might continue 10 be so. lie had found no
evil, but many advantages, arising from the pursuance
Of such course of policy. II had been in consequence
OF such policy that the United States that mo-
ment presented on the map of the world such an i'm
posing aspect in point of territorial possession and in
ernal resources. Was there any danger be appre-
heuded from such policy? Was there any thing in
it that threatened the stability of the Union! He
thought he might say no. 1t had been quite evident
that instead Of being weakened or impaired, the I'm
ion had been strengthened by its enlargement. The
structure aud nature of the government happily
such, the more extensive were the territorial limits Of
The nation, the stronger did the Union become. " i'm
perfection exists in any section, the smaller that
ton is in comparison with the whole the less obvious
y IS the danger ol any mischel-ihe less the danger
of general disturbance lie did not propose TO dwell
long the subject but there was argument in ia
vor Of The annexation Of Texas which had had great
weight on his own mind, and which in his judgment
had not received perhaps that general attention which
lis value deserved II was this the danger likely 10
arise om the existence our borders Of an ndepen-
dent State with institutions similar 10 ourswilh the
same language-wiih the same general principles oil
lfeedon--wth the same region-wth the same civil
iZaiion-and settled by citizens. Such State
might form the nucleus of serious opposition il il were
not incorporated into our conederacy so as 10 form
part Of ourselves. Entertaining these views, and be-
lieving that there danger 10 be npprehender
from any extension OF our territories; but that, h'
contrary would certainly be promoted by embracing
within its limits new States and territories peoped b.
own citizens he did not hesitate TO vote Tor the res
olutions. In this course it was his conviction that h
was securing the interests Of the country and of hi
constituents.
Mr. Huntington, of the State, stated the reasons 70
the vote he about TO give and in the Of his
marks desired to say in relation 20 the remarks OF his col
league, Mr. Niles that in his Judgment the resolutions
Connecticut which had been adverted TO- expressed III
actual state of things and the opinions then existing in tina
VH he 4
iened and in condemnation of the annexation Of Texas,
More than year since aer The Joint resoutons prepare