The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1846-01-09
DEBATE IL THE SENATE.
MoNpAY. Dc. %, ls

Representatives for the admission OF Texas
into the Union having been rePoried back
from the Committee on the Judiciary
wiihou, amendment, and with recom-
menda,ion that II be Immediately passed ;
and the question being upon ordering the
Resolution to a third reading
Mr.. Webster rose aud addressed the
Senate as follows | ain quite aware, hr.
President. that tbs resolution will pass.
IL has passed the other House OF Congress
b. large majority, and il IS quite well
known that there is a decided majority IN
this House also in favor OF It's passage.
There are members OF this body, sir, who
opposed the measures which came before
Congress at its last session for the annex.
alton Of Texas. who nevertheless viii very
probably feel themselves now, 70 conse-
quence Of the resolutions Of last session,
and in consequence OF the proceedings Of
Texas upon those resolutions, bound 10
vote for her admission into the Union. !
do not intend, Mr.. Pes dent, to argue ei.
Their of the questions which were discussed
here al 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
citizen Of this country who was more
kindly disposed towards the people Of Tex-
as than myself, from the time they achley.
ed, in so very extraordinary manner,
their independence from the Mexican Coy
ernment. have shown, hope, 10 another
place, and shall show IN all situations, and
under all circumstances, Just and proper
regard for the people Of that country but,
with respect 10 lis annexation TO TINS Union,
1t is well known that, from the first an
pouneemen, OF any such idea, have tell
II my duty steadily, uniformly, and zeal.
ously 10 oppose it. | have expressed oPn-
ions and urged arguments against Il, every
where. and on all occasions on which the
subject came under consideration. could
not now, II were 10 20 over The whole
topic again, adluce any new views, or sup
port old views, as far as am aware, oy
any new arguments or illustrations. Ny
efforts have been constdn. and unweareI
but, like those Of others, they have ldl'eJ
Of success. viii therefore, sir, in very
few words, acting under the unanimous res
oluton and instructions OF both branches
of the Legislature of Massachusetts,, as
well as in conformity TO my own settled
Judgment and full conviction, recapltuate
before the Senate and before the commu-
nifty the objections which have prevailed,
and must always prevail, with me against
this measure OF annexation. In the tirst
place, have, on the deepest reflection
long ago come 10 the conclusion that i
was OF very dangerous tendency and doubt
full consequences TO enlarge The boundaIe,
Of this Government or the territories ofel
which our laws are nov established. Iaefl
must be some limit to the extent Of ou
territory, If se would make our institutions
permanent. Aad "a tbs pormdneuoy i've
the great subject Of all my political Efforts
the paramount Object Of my poiltca re
gard. The Government IS very likely t
be endangered, ia my opinion, by further
enlargement! Of It, alrcady vas, territorial
surface.
In the next pace, | have always wishet
that this country should exhibit 20 the "a
tons Of the earth tic example Of great
rich, AMI powerful republic, which ls no
possessed BY a spiut Of aggraudlzement
1t IS an example, think, due from Us t.
the world, in favor Of the character Of re
publican government.
In the next place, sir, have to say
that while | hold, with as much integrity
trust, aud falhf4luess az any citizen o
this country to all the original arrange
ments and compromises IN which the Con
stituilon unler which we now live was a
dopicd, never could, and never can, pei
suaje myself 10 be 10 favor Of The admis
sion Of other States into the Union d slave
States, with the inequalities which were
allowed and accorded 10 the slayeholdas
States then ~ existence by the Consuiu
ton. | Do not .Aiak that the free State
ever expected, or could expect, that the
would be called On 10 admit further siay
States having the advantages, the unequa
advantages, arising to them from the mod
Of arPorIonly representation under ii
existing Constitution.
Sir, | have never made an effort, an
never propose TO make an effort hay
never countenanced an effort, and neye
mean 10 countenunce an effort, to dis,ur
the arrangements as originally made, b
which the various States came into III
Union bu. cannot avoid considering
quite different question when a PROPOSE
ton IS made % admit new States, and lha
they be allowed 10 come 10 With the sam
advantages and inequalities which cxls,e
IN regard to the old. It may be sad Ina
according 10 the provisions Of the Consl
tuition, new States are to be admitted Upc
the same footing as the old States.
may be SO but il does not follow al q
from that provision that every territory
portion Of country may at pleasure estal
lish slavery, and then say We will bccou
a portion Of the Union, aaI viii bring sit
US the principles which We have lhus ado
ted, aud mus, be received on The san
footing as the old States. IL will alwa,
be question whether the other Stat
have not n TIyht f.rI tf.;,.l, tL.,. l. 4,