The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-04-14
SPEECH OF
Hon. ERASTUS D. CULVER OF N. Y.
TEXAS QUESTION.

Delivered in the House Of Representatives., U
s., January 30, 1876.
The bill from the Senate ITO establish
Post Routes in IeraS," being under consid
Grafton
Mr.. Culver said
Mr.. CHAIRMAN l am one Of those " no
believe that the annexation OF Texas to this
Union was unconstitutional, and, as such, is
void from the beginning. | believe, further
that the Supreme Court of the United States
on proper presentment ofihe case, will pro.
nounce the joint resolutions. by which Tex
as was annexed, unconstitutional. And
hold that every act of ours, affirming the va
lidity ofihose resolutions, will but involve us
in deeper difficulty, and render our relations
with that country more embarrassing. am
aware that it may seem to be travelling from
the record, on bill merely TO establish post
routes, to discuss the question of annexation;
but We are now in Committee of the Whole
on the state of the Union, and the Chair has,
again and again, decided that, whatever rela-
ted 10 tho welfare and honor of the Union.
was here the legitimate subject Of debate
Besides, Mr.. Chairman, | remember, as do
all who hear me, that, when the consumma-
ton of the Texas scheme came up, on the
second week of the session, one hundred new
members, like myself, were denied the right
ofheing heard. This great measure, fraught
with consequences the most important and
lasting, was lashed through this House with
more than railroad velocity. The paddock
was put upon our lips by aid of the ''previ-
Gus question" we were all gagged down.
Our constituents. too, were denied a hearing.
They protested loud and earnestly against
this infraction Of the Constitution. Their
remonsttances, so long as the least ground
for hope remained, poured in thick and FAST.
Yes sir, 10000 of these remonstrances now
lie upon your table, denied a consideration.
and refused the civility even Of reference !
In addition 10 all this, sir, my constituents.
nay, the whole free North, are 10 be taxed TO
sustain these very mail routes over the track
less wilds of Texas. They are now cOnrri-
buting TO support an army of 4 800 sickly
men in that county, 10 fight her battles. A
fleet is now sustained from The Treasury of
the nation, TO scour the coasts, and 10 awe
Mexico into silence. Am | not warranted
hen, sir, in seizing this opportunity, since ev
cry other has been denied me, TO enter my
solemn protest against this nefarious schemel
Had The remonstrances of my constituents
been treated with legislative courtesy. or had
even two days discus sior been allowed,
would not have been found here upon my
feet to-day. Why, sir, six long weeks have
been consumed upon the Oregon question.
and yet one hour and forty midutes, and that
mostly in calling the yeas and nays, were all
that was allowed upon the admission of Tex
as. Wherefore the difference All sir,
Texas had within il thai dark featu re that
A.aaAaI .nena,t.o., th,, t<,.,1
erty, that cried out, ''hands off, when APP
preached. Oregon has no SLAVERY in it,
Texas, on The other hand, owes its existence
and its very life blood to slavery.
But hear it whispered by gentlemen a
round me, that Texas is in''-"She is ad-
mitted''-"We have married her, and cannot
dissolve the contract" Sir, repudiate the
marriage. ! disclaim the nuptial bonds.
have high authority for saying OF Texas, "lf.
while her first husband be living, she be mar
ried TO another, she shall be called an adul-
teress.'' We had no constitutional right 10
propose, nor she the light TO accept our pro-
posal.
But, Mr.. Chairman, first and foremost of
my objections to her admission is, that Tex
as has violated her ante-nuptial engagement.
To this ask the attention Of the House.
By the joint resolutions oflast winter, Con-
gress gave its consent to annexation. upon
the express condition, among others, that, in
that part of Texas lying north of 36 deg. 30
min. north latitude, slavery, or Involuntary
seruitude, (ercept for crime, lshOuld be pro
hibited." Now, sir. how stands the case =
Has this political coquette adhered TO this
condition. No, sir. Most shamefully has
she violated it. 10 her new constitution,
now lying before me, and on which we have
giAen nei admittauce into the Union, by the
9Th article, is not only recognized and sane
toned throughout the i1hole extent Of Texas,
bat her legislature is constitutioDally tied up
from ever passing laws for the smanciPa-