Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-02-09
Gen. Waddy ThOmpson's Lctter---Mr.
Bcrricn's speech.

Of the National Intellgoucer. Whatever may have
been originally the temper OF the public mind regard
the conquest and permanent retention of portion Of
the State. Of esico for the purpose TO one Of the
phrases OF the day. by which the public mind has
been much corrupted and mised) Of extending the
OF freedom, under the equally deceptive preience
OF procuring from Mexico "ndemnity" for past insults
and inuries-wo say, whatever may have been the
per Of the public mind in the beginning Of this unortu-
contest cannot be doubted that decided reaction
has taken place. and is in progre in the South
least, in regard to the policy OF ensrgng territorial
limits, by the sword. The Cnantcipated difficulties and
obstacles in the OF conquest, which the authors
the had aiered themselves with the belief would be
both brief and brilliant have not been without their effect
producing this snutay change in public opinion. Men
beginning the both in blood and OF
conflict which they end and they
rally ask themselves whether It New Mex
leo and California the restoration OF peace, shall
not expenditure aone pay too dearly for the whistle.
The enquiry s heard all sides, will the add
lion Of Mexican eTritoy-particulary that portion Of
the upper Valley OF the Rio Grande, and the
side Of that river prove be rather than benefit
source of additional expense instead OF ndem-
niy"-and whether it will Introduce into limits
population unfit for free government, and which
admit the rghls, a. they arc incapable of perform
ing tho duties ct citizenship in representative govern
ment1 This view Of the question, and others less
imposing, powerfully presented by Mr. Berren, the
distinguished Senator from Georgia, in his admirable speech
the Three Million Bn-as speech distinguished alike BY
is profound ability and elevated patriotism. We beg
the considerations embodied the subJoiucd
"Sir, there be any thing national be
preserved the oTpe national honor know
but looking this question solely OF interest ash
YOU with the national interest acquire such
territory Consider already cquired, either the
Of the money which IL proposed appropriate by this BILL
by the force OF consider that territory
CURED and hope senators ready to answer the
question: how will you dispose OF this terriio1 When you
get these provinces what will you do with them Wyou
tho existing population and settle the west which
wi have been LEFT by emgrants from the United
States That may not be. You cannot do il without
violating every principle OF the law Of nauons-overy
principle which has been recognised by your
as,ice Whether these be acquired BY
quest by purchase, nc they pass under your
domination their inhabitants become the objects OF, and
entitled TO, your protection. What next, then Ii
you protect this people and the territory which they
inhabit will you govern them as provinces Will you
send your Of provinces superntend and pro-
ihcm7 On what prime pies will you govern them What
next II you may not depopu!ate them-i you ray not
govern them pTovnces-wIll you exercise the power
given you under the constitution, and obviously given
while the view the trainers Of il confined WITHIN the
territorial limits OF the then United States Will YOU e1-
erce the power OF governing them territories and Of
course, cnue them to the privilege OF being Incorporated
OF the Union, when they shall nave attained the
requisite number Of inhabitants Are you willing put
your brhrght ia the keeping OF the monGol races who
habit these territories by incorporating them into the fede
raj Union For myself, am Tree 10 declare hare
JGdsrd aud believe that declaration wi be responded
from the extremes OF this widely extended
Union. Then, what it for which eoniending -
What Is the position which this lust for the acquisition
OF territory about TO lead usl When shall have
CURED these territories, how 10 surmOun the df
cuues which will necessarily attend their possession We
Cannot consistently with the constitution govern II as an
Independent province We cannot, consistently with
what 10 ourselves put II into condition to be in
corporated with the American Union. But, suppose you
could. d. notyou bring with il that question which more
Than other the duration and the permanence
Vi this Uaionl DO you believe that any treaty which
he afed vii pYreO car tho
stituonal sanction OF this body leaving the question
Of slavery open Do you believe the con.
stituona sanction Of this body excluding slavery Do
You believe 1t can receive the constitutional sanction Of
this body peruiitng-grant that am wrong the opin
ion which would be indicated by the President
mat % would be practicable 10 obtain the constitutional
majority OF this Senate which would leave open the
question OF slavery ? And ! ask American senators
whether they would sumber upon their posts their
assent given treaty leaving that question open
ask American senators If II s not their imperative duty
70 the States which they represent when any acquisition
snail be made by treaty TO take that the domestic
Institutions and Interests Of the States which they repre-
protected by the express stpuiaons OF that
iyl Suppose these oyefo1ked-supPose American
tor under the influence Of whatever motive, should ac-
quiosce the acquisition Of territory without such sipl-
iao1 o. would protect their interests. what follows p
Inevitably with the certainty Of fate, the exc usion
of their constituents from their constitutional right 10
participation in the benefits ot the territory &C.
qI;ed by common effort S the process is easy-it j.
smpie-t s obyious-iI is undeniable. On the question
az the admission 81 this teuoTy-It you were 20 govern
territory with ysw 10 IL subsequent admission,
when the number OF U population would justify hat pro-
ccedufe-on the question Of s admission n state, tho
numerical superiority Of the free States would hold n
chains We may not hope TO secure to our constituents
any right to participate m the benefits Of such acqusi
uou unless agree surrender 900 advance. "a portion
oil property over which have the guarantee oi the
constitution. say, them % especially bchooses south
Oppose themselves the acquisition ter
rtoy 90 any form, because az % De- quite certain that
territory will be acquired by treaty IN which the right 10
exercise their domestic institution will be stipulated, aud
Inasmuch as the territory acquired by a treaty which
iu ihcr rXciusOn-l coy, my humble Judgment, and
ppoakng o. a southern senator representing southern
State, that the duty Of the souh-th3 interests of the
solh-ine safety Of the soutn-dcmand that we should
oppose ourselves 10 any and 90 every acquisition OF terri
tory. But the appeal not merely % sOuhers senators,
bI 90 American senators from whatever quarter Of this
uIon they may come. The appeal be- 20 them 90 exclude
from the national councils this dfoiu question. The
qIsuuu of territory must bring before us, with accumu
luird force, question which mouacos the prrma-
cot this ln0n IL cannot be that southern
r1ry acqriesco in the denial Co them of common right
insured IN thc constitution Of the United States. 10
have right 90 Che acquisition of terr1ry-i that
QUESTION BE- ma lc by tlc common effort Of all the Satc
thcn all the States orc alike entitled 10 participate 90 the
benefits Nhch result from such 900 acquisition. But DO lr
inevitable tendency oi such acquisition be az ] have
described t ihel must be excluded from such paru
cpauou the dement's Of the acquisition. Zoo hat case,
one things remnuf-tu assert, az whatever hazard,
our rgh and The nights of constituents Jr J give %
renewed npli manifestation RI our devotion 70 the
bond of our fedora unon by submitting hs inequality OF
dsr button the acquisitions Of our common government
dDn1s anSorsy desire tat that fearful CRIES m1y not be
sHtc Vt tpRs bu', DO 1 human probability % mly, end
confidently uusi Will bc uyeuod by the intelligence and
boz thc patriotism of toe Amgucan people. But DO you ao
introduce into THE Union the vlsi territories which you
s.ltrmpaic 60 acquire by ccsson from Mexico, W be
fra o tbe d4ntrrcs'cdncs and patriotism OF Che south,
they FIa lo eco led upon % decide that they willing
arlucsrc Boz do 90 uuc exclusion from all participation
tu tiIf rich end b1Hndirls territory"
Those views address themselves with irresistible force
to thc people every section of hc Union, but
prtialy the people of tc South, whr under cSstn.
rtrumttance-. cannot but perceive, hat n the acquisition
oft territory from MeEic1, che condition OF peace. ma
be- boz every just Of that term, regarded "ind,m
r.," at aU Dc can bo indemnity o them but rather
source of sscto6. humiliation and INJURY 20 which, une'
u.y are uu.i, .n.cus1.e to hor rights, and eecanI @
ib,r duly. fey never cen and never will submit
We rejoice 90 Gee leading southern men-'ueh men
y.sly Thompson. John Macpherson Bcrren end Reverb
t,bnsa, assuming. at his crsif. The attitude which
Importance d,mauds, aud with boldn's' tqua' 70 %
...fsrr Frrftns L. a be-