The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-14
DEFERRED DEBATE.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1s4s.


hesooed That true policy requires the government oil
the United States to strengthen its political com
relations upon this COMMENT by the annexation of such
contiguous territory may conduce TO that end and can
be justly obtained and that neither such acquisition
lions be consIItuonally imposed institutions be proy
ded Tor or established inconsistent with the right Of the
people thereof to form free sovereign State, with pow.
ers and privileges OF the original members of the conede-
territory belonging the United States, principles OF
seigovernment upon which iederative system rests
be Observed and the conederacy strengthened
by leaving all Questions concerning the domestic policy
therein 10 the legislatures chosen by the people thereof
Mr. DICKINSON said
We admonished by the exigences of the times and
the prevailing sentiment of the American people, to
strengthen our political and commercial relations upon
this continent, by the annexation OF such contiguous
territory as can be justly obtained well for the posi-
tive benefits the acquisition may confer, shut out
forever, as far practicable the perncious influences
and impairment Intemeddlngs OF European monarchy
and while the circumstances under which this policy may
properly be enforced too varied and contingent to be
enumerated suggested the state OF relations, both
foreign and domestic demands that be fully declared
before the world We have been compelled by misgu-
ded Mexico to resort to the ultima ratio of nations for
adjustment of grievances With her capital her ports
her Notifications, and principal towns in our possession,
she spurns all proposals for accommodation and have
no alternative left consistent with national spirit self
respect but to retain OF the possessions allotted by the
tribunal OF her own selection, ample indemnity for the
wrongs she has heaped upon government and people,
But should she IN some sane moment consent to negol
government accept OF no terms but such give full
compensation that whether we have peace or war;
treaty or no treaty. the question of territorial acquisition
cannot be avoided. Had we remained at peace with
Mexico, the same policy of acquisition would or
later have been presented and should treaty OF peace
be negotiated and full indemnity be paid in money--of
which there is prospect-the question of extending
our possessions could not long be postponed Although
clearly demanded by national interests and almost uni
yersaly favored by the American people, this policy has
been embarrassed by element of irritation calculated
to arrest if not defeat altogether Some who profess
to favor it, do only upon condition that domestic slave
ny shall be prohibited by Congress any acquired terri
tory others, with marked determination, oppose any IN
with such restrictions and both these classes pro-
pose to cooperate with the opponents OF acquisition,
unless their peculiar views respectively adopted
Believing thata policy emnently national should
not thus be defeated, or put at hazadtha the egsa
ton of Congress have little influence the domes
tic regulation of ,ertorythaits temporary government is
matter of secondary Importance compared with the
policy of acquisilon-and that its domestic regulation may
be safely ntrusted to those most deeply interested in the
institutions they may establish, have introduced these
resolutions They presented that the Senate might
form and pronounce its judgment before the country upon
so large share of the public consideration They do
not as IS supposed by some. bring here with 1t proess
discussions and exciting consequences the vexed ques
ton of slaveryfor was here before them but they pro-
pose transfer hence and leave under the constitution
all questions concerning the erection prohibition OF
this institution in the Territories to the inhabitants there
of that its intrusion may not hereafter arrest the policy
defeat the measures, disturb the councils of the nation
They were offered in the hope that all who believe in the
great cardinal principle OF reedomhe capacity Of man
for his own governnent-would harmonic conflicting
opinions and unite upon this common ground OF justice
and equality.
perfect union establish justice, insure domestic
tranquility provide for the common defence promote the
general welfare and secure the blessings OF liberty to
themselves and their pOserity they established the
sttuon Although the articles of confederation; which
gave place to this instrument provided for the admission
OF Canada to the Unlon and the comprehensive terms
employed to explain the objects of the constitution show
that narrow territorial boundaries were contemplated,
it apparent that few statesmen at that early period fore
the early growth were destined to attain. The
wisest and ablest of the me mdly negotiated for years.
at the close OF the last century, for the right OF navigating
the Mississippi, and proposed to Tx upon that river as
the western boundary of the United States forever
And in negotiating for the territory of Louisiana,
government sought to procure only portion and the
greatest share virtually taken upon compulslon
The policy which, from acquisition, has already given
to this Union four sovereign States and holds others
at the time assalled with vrulence and de-
nunciaon, and threats OF disunion, which may be pro-
tably consulted rather than copied by those who are
alarmed by, or propose to repeat the cry OF territorial
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Louisiana, too, was Spanish province, contained
foreign population strangers to form of government
and transferred with its people from Spain to rance
and from France the United States within few hours
and yet what State has been more faithful to the unlon
Territory beyond the Mississippi then regarded as
almost without the pale of probable civilization and the
expedition of Lewis and Clarke to the mouth OF the Co.
umbla where the mail of the United States is now regu-
larry distributed hailed epoch In the history
of North American enterprise and daring
But the tide of emigration and the of empire
have since been westward Cities and towns have
sprung up on the shores of the Pacific and the river
essayed to fix western passes nearest to our
eastern boundary. From three, population has IN
creased to twenty milonsfrom thirteen, to twenty nine
Stateswh others process of formation and on their
way to the Union. Two great European powers have
withdrawn from the continent, yielding us their posses
sons and from the northern lakes to the Gull OF Mexico
from the St Lawrence TO the Mississippi numerous abort
gna nations have been displaced before the eslsess tide
of prevailing arts arms, and free principles and,
whoever will look back upon the past and forward upon
the future must that allured by the justice OF our
institutions before the close of the present century this
continent will teen with free population of upwards OF
a hundred million souls, Nor have yet fulfilled the
destiny allotted us. New territory spread out for us
to subdue and ferze presented tor us TO
cvilize, educate, and absorb triumphs Tor us to
achieve for the of freedom
North America presents to the eye great geogra-
phca SYSTEM every portion of which, under the present
facilities for communication may be made more accessi
BILE 10 every other than the original States TO each
other at the time they formed the confederacy 1t is soon
become the commercial centre OF the world And tne
period is by no means remote when man, regarding his
own wants and impulses and yielding to the influences
of laws more potent than those which prescribe artcia
boundaries will ordain that il shall be united IN political
as well as natural bonds and form but one political sys
tem-and that Free confederated, sefgovened Iepub-
lie represented in common hail. in the great valley OF
the west; exhibiting to admiring world the gny re-
suits which have been achieved for freedom IN 'he
western hemisphere Then will more perfect mon oe
formed and justice be established upon enduring s
tions-the domestic tranquility nsured-ths common ae
fence be provided for-the general welfare pomoed-aho
the blessings of liberty secured to posterl ld dj
form, of admirably adapted 10 eA-,