The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-16

this time, and conscious that | am copsumins IN,
precious time Of the House when questions of mo.
mentous import are awaiting their deiberstion and
their action, viii endeayor briefly to present the
relations IN which | stand--in which nv consttu.
ents and The whole people Of Texas stand-to tbis
government, regarding as lightly as possible the re-
marks OF the gentleman from New York; for hardly
know the object Of them Did the gentleman mean
to attack Texas, or her boundary Or was il his
object by the Texas question to reach the President
Did he mean TO assai the President on the question
OF Texas as being weak point2 | feel sir thai
u rs strong point-that Of the brightest pages
OF his history, and that will 90 far 10 enrol his
name high on the scroll Of fame is the course which
the President Of the United States has taken ON his
question. This, sir would be my sentiment were
citizen Of the older part Of the United States
Tor look at the annexation Of Texas more in
| regard 10 the land OF my fathers--to the land
| where my children reside, than with reference
TO Texas only. consider it rather on account
of Its bearing upon the great principles of liberty to
the advancement of which Texas, through the long
years OF her bloody struggles and her successful re-
sistanee OF Mexican tyranny has contributed
and now, IN connexion with tins boosted republic Of
freedom, will continue with increased efficiency 10
contribute all the aid of which she is capable
The ehIyalry Of Texas have plucked the clone
starr from the surrounding night of darkness and
tyranny amid the thunders Of Joye and they have
now, IN peaceful coalition with the United States.
embazoned Il on the glorious flag Of the Union.
and II has taken its place in the constellation Of
freedom. She counted not her money; she was
aetuaIed by no lgnobe considerations in The course
she has takeni she has but evidenced the spirit Of
| the Anglo-Saxon which animates her She had
achieved her independence by her own yalor; she
had conquered territory capable Of sustaining
TO- 900 900 ofpopuaton; she was courted by Eurone.
she could have been taken by the hand by Thai
nation which is allowed to be the 'buwark Of our
religoni'' she could have Joined hand in hand with
France she had friends In all quarters because she
| required nothing, and was able to Weld sometime
TO others; she was refused ration when feeble
she accepted II generously when she was able to
contend with all her foes The circumstances under
which annexation took place, should seal every
mouth IN this hall IN regard TO the honor Of Texas
| IN all her negotiations. Her boundary was achieved
by her own proves; whatever black letters or ,t,s
had existed were washed out in the most precio. =
blood Of TexanS-your friends and yor- ,I'
lnen-'nose Enoul 'he hnkS wf.en bind human
80 uie ny - tenderest ties 10 your
o.,sI ~ tbs sys' 20 the Sabine. Her title origi-
~ '' ats in which that nation took IL, rise
inro~" Ju by geographical location or the border,
! " ne ancient republic Of Mexico, she became +,
barrier TO protect that nation from the Indians Who
| are more than equal to the Mexicans in war. To
this territory, without value to the Mexieans, immi
grafton was invited. IL required the genius Of the
hnglo,Saxon RAGS to cultivate such a SOIL and re-
/
into What II now is. And when the republic of Mex.
Ieo changed Its character and was converted into a
miltary despotIsm true to the instincts of liberty
winch had always animated her. she refused 10 Weld
70 me tyranny OF military sway, and they declared
ana nave Tor ten years of war and boodshed main
saineo her independence Any set Of men, as has
been Justly asserted on this floor, have natural
right to take territory, the occupation and cultys
uon OF which others have kept in allowance and in
| STATE IN which II Is of no use to any human being
Inc citizens of the United States would have had
the right to have occupied that soil on the ground of
eonuguity assert the broad principle that a coun.
| ny Kept vacant by the policy OF a nation which
claims the right Of ownership over it, is common
property, and reverts to the situation in which all
and was before 1t became property and is open 10 be
occupied, subdued and cultivated by man-by those
VINO VIII do so-as the Creator designed il should
be. But thank God, the Texans have better title
than that OF mere quiet occupancy. Thew have set
lied that country; they have Tough back the Indians
| they have become a bulwark to aggression: thew
ulhlled all the duties of their relation TO Mexico
! until the federal governmenl-the government of
| hberty-was changed into a military despotism
iexas was driven to the alternative of being shacked
deprived Of her arms, forced to a base submission
or to rise and defend herself and although
feeble, she took the alternative Of war and defiance
She fought the armies Of 5000 600 of people; she
| conquered them, and drove them westward OF the
Rio Grande. She took every fortified TOWNSHIP
left no single defence of the Mexican usurpers on
the eastern bank Of the Rio Grande She estah
lished Notifications and defences from the western
bank OF the Nueces to the eastern bank of the in
Grande; and no Mexican has ever since had a foot
ing on that ground, except in one or two small vii
lagos on the immediate bank of the Rio Grande
The sons of Texas have conquered the whole terri
tory that stretches to the Rio Grande. The renub-
nc claims the territory by proclamation; but she
earned 1t by blood before the proclamation was ;s
sued. When annexation took place, no Mexican
soldier was on the eastern bank of the Rio Grande
hone could be retained there. Whatever doubts
may have existed in regard TO clear title flor l
believe there are very few national disputes in which
all the points on either side are perfectly cear To
every man, the history of Texas shows that sbe
mas redeemed the country from the savage that she
mas acquired personal lien on it as property nv
her defence OF 1t in war. She had the revolution
thrust upon her. and she never ceased to defend her
rights and to light until the only power that had n
CAIN was oohged to relInquish it, and whether she
had been annexed or continued free repubIic she
had the power and the resolution to defend thai tor
rtory and establish In it the same laws and institu
tons as existed in the land from which most of her
people sprung.
Mr. z. referred further to the fact that Mexico has
been, by the admission Of the world, in state in
which that government (if she NAV be said To have
any government is not able to protect her own elf.
zens in their rights of life and property. Hsal.
ready well known and discussed abroad that she 10
falling to pieces; and any military chieftain or anv
man would DO service TO that country who could
establish order there-who would give freedom to
the peoPie,l and stability to the government and
make her what she should be--the protector, guide
and shield of her citizens. Mexico has ceased - h.
government for all that government was Instituted
for 'e'
10 acquire her territory no Texan desired; 10 SEQ
her people enjoying the privileges that are enoy ed
ey the hnglo-Saxon race all that they wished
Tor The settlement of Texas, and Of the county in
which reside was founded on principles as noble
pure, and honest as those in which any people ever
settled any country. The pilgrims who landed =,
Plymouth rock had no higher claims to patrio,;s,n
or to elevated character than had the settlers Of he
county OF Austin. They went there to labor, to
cultivate the soil, to find homes for themselves and
their children, to establish the institutions and enjoy
the blessings of freedom, and to mind their own bn
slness; and traveller may pass through that coun
try and see the traces of fifteen years severe labor in
the comfort enjoyed, the wealth acquired, in the So
claI and rehned feelings and the social institutions
ana establishments of life which, in other parts Of
the country, 1t has taken one hundred wears to es
taoiish. They were brave, worthy citizens; thew