Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1846-01-09
Debate tH the senate Of the
United states.
MONDAY, December %, 1896.

Representatives Tor the admission Of Tex
as INTO the Union having been reported
back from the Committee on the Judiciary,
without amendment, and with recon-
mendalion that it be Immediately passed;
and the question being upon ordering the
Resolution to a!Ihird reading
Mr.. WEBSTER rose and addressed the
Senate as follows; | am quite aware, Mr..
President, that this resolution will pass
1t has passed the other House Of Congress
by a large majority, and it is quite well
known that there is decided majority in
the House also in favor of its passage
There are members Of this body, sir, who
opposed .he measures which came beiore
Congress at its last session for the annex
elton Of Texas, who nevertheless will ve-
ry probably feel themselves now, in con-
sequence Of the resolutions of last session,
and IN consequence of the proceedings Of
Texas upon those resolutions, bound to
vote for her admission into the Union.
do not intend, Mr.. President. TO argue eli
ther OF the questions which were discuss
ed here at the last session Of Congress.
and which have been so much discussed
throughout the country within the last
three years. Mr.. President, there is no ci-
tizen of this country who was more kindly
disposed towards the people of Texas than
myself from the time they achieved, in so
very extraordinary manner, their indie
pendence from the Mexican Government.
have shown, | hope, in another place
and shall show in all situations, and un-
der all circumstances, a just and proper
regard for the people Of that country; hut
with respect to its annexation to this Un-
ion, it is well known that, from the first
announcement of any such idea, | hayc
felt it my duty steadily, uniformly, and
zealousIy to oppose it. have expressed
opinions and urged arguments against it,
every where, and on all occasions or
which the subject came under considera-
tion. could not now, il were to 90 over
the whole topic again, adduce any new
views, or support old views, as far as am
aware, by any new arguments or illustra-
tons. My efforts have been constant and
unwearied; but, like those of others, they
have failed of success. | will therefore,
sir, in very few words, acting under the
unanimous resolution end instructions OF
both branches Of the Legislature of Massa-
chusetts, as well as in conformity to my
own settled judgment and full convection,
recapituiate before the Senate and before
the community the objections which have
prevailed and must always prevail, with
me against the measure ofannpxation. In
the first place, have, on the deepest re-
feetion, long ago come TO the conclusion
that it was Of very dangerous tendency
and doubtful consequences to enlarge the
boundaries of this Government or the ter
ritories over which our laws are now es-
tablshed. There must he some limit to the
extent Of our territory, if we would make
our institutions permanent. And in this
pernanency lives the great subject Of all
my political efforts, the pal amount object
OF my political regard, The Government
is very likely to be endangered, in my
opinion, by a further Enlargement Of its al
ready vast territorial surface.
In the next place, have always wish
ed that this country should exhibit to the
nations of the earth the example of great,
rich, and powerful republic, which is net
possessed by spirit of aggrandizement,-
1t is an example, l think, due from us to
the world, in favor of the character Of re-
publican government.
In the next place, sir, have to say, that
while l hold, with as much integrity,
trust, and faithfulness, as any citizen OF
this country to all the original arrange
ments and compromises in which the Con-
sttution under which we now live was
adopted, never could, and never can,
persuade myself to be in favor of the ad'
mission Of other States into the Union as
slave States, with the inequalities which
were allowed and accorded to the slave
holding States then in existence by the
Constitution. do not think that the free
States ever expected, or could expect, that
they would be called on to admit further
slave States having the advantages, the
unequal advantages, arising TO them from
the mode OF apportioning representation
under the existing Constitution
Sir. | hnve naunr rnadn an effnrt. and