Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-04-14


ing upon the constitution Of the United
States, aud upon our form Of government,
a monstrosity-a dis6gursiion-an enormi-
~. Sir, hardly dare trust myself do
not know that may not bo under some
deiusIon. ] do not know that my head
is not turned. II may be that it is the
weakness OF mine eyes that forms this mon
suous apparition. But IL may trust my.
self-if may persuade myself that am in
my right mind, then il does appear TO me
that we, in this Senate, have been acting,
aud arc acting, and are likely 10 be acting
hereafter, part which will certainly form
a remarkable epoch in the history Of our
goyerWnent. hold it 10 be enormous
hagranl-and an outrage upoI all the prin-
cipies Of a popular representative govern
ment and upon the elementary provisions Of
the constitution under which we live, and
which we have sworn TO support. But then.
sir, what frees the case from this enormiiy
Why, ii is that We stpulate only that these
new states shall be brought in at a suitable
time. Now, what is to constitute the suit :
ableness OF time Who is to Judge of il.
tell you sir. sir. that the suitable time will
come wherever the prepondetance Of party
power here makes il necessary TO bring in
new States. The time will depend on the
state Of our politics here, and not upon the
condition Of these States elsewhere. Be
assured, sir, there will be suitable time
whenever strength. or party power. or votes,
arc wanting in this Senate We have some
little experience OF this. Texas came in
suitable time, very suitable Texas was
finally admitted in December, 1876. Ny
friend near me here mir Rusk, } for whom
| have great regard, whose acquaintance
bdve cultivated with much pleasure, took
his seat here, with his colleague. in March,
1915. In July, 1876. these two Texan
voles turned the balance in the Senate and
overthrow the tariff OF 1912, in my judg-
ment the best system of revenue that
was ever established in this country Gen.
tlemen Of different opinions think other
wise. They think it was fortunate. They
think the Texan votes came in in suitable
time aud they will take care that New
Mexican votes shall come in in suitable
time also. understand it perfectly well.
IL is difference OF opinion between myself
and then To their policy, to their object,
to their purposes, the time was suitable, and
the aid was efficient and decisive. Sir, in
1850, perhaps, similar questions may be
agitaled here-they are not likely TO be be-
fore-but agitaled they will be then, unless
some change in the course Of the admins
ration ofthe Government take place; and
according TO my apprehension, looking 70
general results as flowing from our estab-
lished system of commerce and revenue, in
1856, two years from this time, we may
probably be engaged in a new revision OF
our system in the work Of establishing il we
can, tariff Of specific duties ia the work
Of protecting, il we can, the domestic in
dustry OF this country, aud in the work Of
preventing to some extent, if we can, the
Overwhelming flood Of importations. Sup.
pose this to be the case, and suppose that
our opponents require additional strength,
that will be exactly the suitable time for
two Senators from New Mexico to make
their appearance here.
But again, we hear other halcyon, sooih-
ing, quieting tones, which quiet none Of my
alarms. assuage none Of my fears, commend
me to my nightly rest with no more re-
signation. Il is said we may look TO the
popular branch of the legislaiure--we may
look to the House of Representatives, the
| great majoriiy whom are from the North
and Middle States; and we may trust them,
that these new States are not admitted
sooner than they should be, or admitted
for any party purpose. | am compelled by
experience TO distrust all such reliance. II
we cannot rely on ourselves, when we have
clear and unquestioned authority, compe.
tent to carry US through. | beg TO know how
we are to rely on othersi Have we more
respect for the patriotism, the 6rmness oil
others than our ownl Besides, experience
shows us, that things Of this sort may be
sprung upon Congress and upon the peo
pie II was so in the case OF Texas. II
was so in the 2Sth Congress. The member:
of the 2sth Congress, were not chosen with
the view to decide the question Of annexa
ton. They came here upon other grounds
political and party grounds, supported b
their friends on one side and the other, TOT
reasons not connected with this question
What thenl Why the administration
sprung the question upon Congress. II OBJ
tanned snap judgment, and carried the
measure Of annexation. That can be prov
ed by many facts. will state one. There
were four gentlemen in the House of Rep
: pesentaiiyes from Connecticut, elected be
fore this question arose-belonging TO thu
democratic party. They had not been her
long, before they entered into the spirit o
annexation and when this became known
, remonsirances-public, private, and legis
} latiye-were uttered in sounds which an
! one could have heard. who could hea
thunder. Did il move these gentlemen ?
} Not at all. Every one Of them voted TO
! annexation. The election came round
{ few months afterwards. and they we're al
! turned out, but what did those care for that
who had the benefit Of their votes Sue
: agencies. or If il be proper 10 call Them in
r strnmen,alilies, maintain respect no longe
D than they continue 80 be useful.
Sir, we take New Mexico and California
J Who is weak enough to think there is a
e end 7 Why,do We not hear il ayowed ever
5 day that il is proper for us also TO TAX
Sonora and Tamaulipas, and other proviT
: ces or Staies-of northern Mexicol VIII
e thinks that TIM .hnbger for dominion wi
o stop here Of itself = Somebody has said th
o this acquisition is so mean and lean, an
Il unsatisfactory. that we shall seek no lurthe
= In my Judgment, SIR you may believe tina