The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-23
SPEECH OF HON. REvERDY JOHNSON,
OF MARYLAND,
In SENATE, july 10, ls4s.


OF MARYLAND,
In SENATE. july 10, ls4s.
The bill reported by committee OF the Senate TO esab-
h Territorial government in Oregon being under con-
Iteration and amendment to strike oul the secuon
nobibting slavery being pending
Mr. JOHNSON said:
NJ pRrspgNT: The subject before is of transcend
an, mporance II awakens the anxious sohciiude OF the
nnnrv with thousands il is viewed with unaffected de.
sOondency But amidst the gloom ! do not despair. !
Iave that there is yet virtue and intelligence amongst
" sufsent to frown down the demagogues OF the hour,
and TO preserve US fathers made us, great and
GLORIOUS because united people. But what has brought
20 INTO this condition, and who responsible for IT!
The senator from Massachusetts, Mr. DAyIsl following
IN that particular many who have preceded hum IN the
debate has said and in one sense truly sad that the
nesen state of things all to be traced to the annex
pion Of Texas I'm part admit the truth of that
ron But the annexation OF Texas did not necessarily
50 involve us No man can be so blind TO the history oil
that day and the days which succeeded ~ as no. 10 see
nv its Executive had been cautious, prudent ana states
manlike the annexation OF Texas would have led TO no
Mexican war, and TO no annexation OF iertilory from
which the peril that involves arises No man, IN my
Judgment looking 10 the state in which Texas was at
The time of her coming into our union can doubt mat
the United States had perfect right 10 receive her II
do not mis,ake-and am almost certain that do not
the distinguished colleague OF the senator upon my right
Mr. DAVIS [Mr WEBSTER, said upon one OCCASION al
fer we became involved in the war thus attributed TO
Texas annexation that that furnished no Just cause oil
war to Mexico There questions OF expectancy In
VOWED in that measure about which the people OF the
United States differed Buff had had seat upon this
floor them should have been found voting against 1t
for fear that it might properly involve us in war am
At loss indeed to imagine, looking to the then condi-
tsn of that government in relation to the parent State
from which it had separated itself, how any real ques'
on can be entertained that Texas had perfect right to
annex herself the United States and OF that the
United States had perfect right to accept her But
Mr. President my judgment. and believe IN that OF
nine tenths Of the whole community drop Of blood
need have been sped-not one twentieth part OF the
which has been spent need have been expend
edwoud not in fact have osen splsd ana %ouia 9e
as the Executive is concerned had been nlrusted to
prudent and wise, and just hands intend no compll'
ment to the senator from South Carolina MT. CAL
HouS flor believe any statesman would have accom-
plished the same end-when say that have do doubt
that he had been in the State Department, and had had
control of the negotiations growing out OF annexation
which is now upon U.S. never have arisen. The business
was however, unfortunately for humanity and the coun
Try, managed by different counseis. The war did come
But even then if it had been conducted in different
spr and not with the obvious if not the declared de-
sign OF Obtaining, by force OF arms territory IN lqda
OF claims ths question would have been avoldea
The battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, on
the sth and 9th of May would alone it had been per
mited have forever setued-H it were not settled be-
fore-the independence OF Texas; and not a Mexican
soldier ever would have rod the soil upon this side OF
the Rio Grande.
twas, fear and believe, the lust of dominion-the
desire Of territorial acquison-,he ambtont to terminate
message as we received few days since that led the tx
ecu,ve to pursue different policy But besides the Ex-
ecutve, who are responsible! My friend from Massa,
chuses referred this subject for another purpose and
shall hereafter have occasion to allude it in
ion with the same subject He thought proper to tell the
Senate and the country that the annexation OF Texas was
not only the cause of the difficulty in which we are IN
voved but that Texas was brought the Union by the
southern States to accomplish southern object and 10
forward southern views Will the record bear out the
honorable senator! That adopted by ma
Of liz in nj
The affirmative and twenty-six in the negative VINO
voted for it Who voted against it! With reference to
these unfortunate geogaphcA DIVISIONS wna' says ,nt
corded thirteen the part OF those coming from the
States called free. Some Of them still upon this floor
They were
Dix, Fairfield, Hannegan, Miles, sempIe, Sturgeon Tap
pan, Woodbury.. ta :
The name of Gen. Cass is not among them, but all
know that the only for that IT, that he was no
here to vote Who voted against it from the southern
States? rf taa4t - .el .
Mossrs Archer. Barrow, Bayard, Berrcn, CLAYTON, Crit
tendcn, Foster. Jarnagin, Mangum, Morehead fearce
Rivcs. l- IL ~ ,tseo a.sf.4 II, III s,5.lr.rFss .4
Twelve out Of the twenty-six! Sir it is clear from
this should not be told as we have been told oy inc
senator from Massachusetts-and his colleague has
also nmated dlring the present and al me as.
that that measure was accomplished by the South.
Mr.. Davis, Of Mass. The honorable senator makes Z
broader statement than my remarks authorize thinR
my language that Texas brought INTO the Union
by the southern democracy with the aid OF the democracy
OF the North.
Mr. JOHNSON l know that my friend said that after
wards, and about 10 refer to that in moment bu
the remarks OF the senator had application unless a
piled to the question which he addressed HIMSELF II
considering which he was attempting to prove tnai Tue
incorporation of Texas into the Union was the act o.
southern men, for the purpose OF augmcntng soutnern
power and southern influence, and OF protecting southern
Institutions So much for sectional opinion upon TINS
subject. But, far relates to political OPINIONS, tne
senator right in saying that Texas was brought I'D a.
most exclusively by democratic vote. he honorable
gentleman whose successor am, (Mr. MERRIcK,) ana
my friend before me- the senator from louisiana, MIR
JoHNsoN were, believe, the only wings who voted 1o
the annexation.
Mr. BADora, lin his seat) And Mr.. Henderson, OF
Mississippi.
who voted for the measure No doubt the senators from
Louisiana and Mississippi acted IN accord ance WIN lne
opinions of the States which they represented PeIhaps
the honorable senator whom have succeeded did no
exactly understand the opinion OF his State on that SUD
lect but that he voted honestly according 10 MS cohVc-
tons, no man has right TO doubt.
But after Texas annexed, and the war commenced
what else done; rather, what was not done, %
avoid the calanitous situation IN which we now STAND
Let the journals Of this body answer. Alter MeXicc
Mayed her power completely broken, the honorable SEN
aor from Georgia Mr.. BERRIENl proposed resoluuon
that it advisable that any additional territory
should be brought into the Unon in consequence OF tna
war; and upon that resolution, every MEMBER upon ui's
side of the chamber voted i'll the Affirmative, with one
exception We were however, overwhelming resou'
ton was rejected, and the result - before US II IS un
necessary to state in the presence IN winch s'anu, 'n
IN relation to that and its justice as between exco
and the United States, entertained, and still entertain al
the habit of acting But, when the question was before
us whether the should be terminated by taking INC
the Union territory large enough for the construction OF
as many States existed in this contedeaey at the Peod