Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-11-06
TEXAS WILL BE TRUE.

Gen. Houston of Texas, from his afIilialion
with Co.. Benton, had placed himself uader sus-
picion OF inGdrly 10 The South in The Slavery
question. We rejoice 10 see Ina, be is about 10
separate himself from The tailor Benton, and 10
take the course which his duty TO himself 10
Texas, TO the South and the non, imperaliyely
demands. A spicy correspondence between him.
self and Col. Gardner OF South Carolina ha,
lately taken place, and We lave seen merely a,
few extracts; so that We hav. nothing to say as
TO lhe merits Of The controversy. Gen Houston
position on the slavery question, however, is
clearly set forth. Il shows him 10 Be soand upon
tie subject, and prepared. in The Senate II The
United States, 10 give his vote with the South
against any bill that is hostile 10 fair division
OF The new territories. Gen. Houston writes:
al have been charged by some uncatdld per-
SONS with being IN iavor OIL The Wiimot Proyiso.
The ,h,rge | pronounce false No one is or
can be more opposed 10 the Wiim0l Pfoviso ha
| am, and ever have bcen This provision, by
It's very erms applied only 10 territory heieal-
ter TO be acquired by treaty or Otherwise; and mel
TO that already held hy The United Siales. Il
had NJ connsIion with, or bearing upon The Ore.
snn bill, and in guiding M action upon tfat
measure, The Wilmot Proviso had no influence
regard it as OF mischievous tendency, aud
doubt nol that il originated with those who cared
more Tor their own advancement than Tor the
harmony and ell.teirg Of The Union.
81 have never believed that Conens, could
adop, The provisc: or that ii would b, binding
upon The States, even in the event ui its adop,
lion Without their separate sanction or general
acquiescence.
Legislation by Congress on the subject oil sla
very in The territories, is, in my opinion, uselps,
and injudicious. The line oil dcmaIcaiiun be-
tween Tree and slave SAFES is liked by h. cou,-
promi e. The right OF States, lying South Of The
line, 10 &c admiued with the ms ilution OF slavery
If The people asking such admission Teq lifcd IT,
canno! be questioned.
"rhe spin: oil The rule would, in my opini on
be inlripsed, should Congress BY law attempt 10
exclude The institution from any territory Souh
OF that line.
"a assert The principle lha, Congress has no
right 20 egslate upon he subject OF slavery in
any Of The territories Of this Union. II is an in.
silulion exclusively OF domestic regulation, sub
iec, alone 10 The control, jurisdiction and auho-
Tily Of the several States, each acting independ-
emily for itself. Congress would have The same
right 10 impose slavery upon Stale unwilling
To receive il, as 10 exclude il from one d.sirous
OF reta lining il. The adoption or Abandonment
OF the institution, in like manner refers itself
entirely 10 lie choice and cpipn OF each intepe.'
dent member Of The Con!e.eiacy. Should New
York determine 10 revive The institution OF slave.
~ within her limits, or Louisiana resolve TO
abolish il in her owa, so long as each esined a
republican form OF government, National Cons
sress could no mGre rish.uily interfere wI;h The
action oil either 10 This behalf, than The Khan oil
Tarary or the Pacha oi Egypt. Those who hon
tsily seek lG circumscrte iae territorial! lln,!s 81
slavery in This Unon, and 10 amelicrae the
condition Of he slave, or 10 abbrevIaie The
era of scrvitrde, would, IT Influenced by humanity,
prudence and ordinary intelligence, never Iesori
TO Congress TO effect ihei. object, inasmuch as
that body must be guilty OF great u.utpaion
OF power, before il Could aci upon their arplica>
lions. Slave labor must De rendered unprc6 a.
bic 10 The territory, where il is advantageous.
ly employed, before il will be abandOnrd.-
Whsher Ihe improvement Of any age will effect
so great revolution in our so ial system, Inc
future must disclose. Bu, until the change is
peacefully brought about, with the cooperation
and consent 81 hs people ci The s.iveho.ding
Sta es The institution will continue 10 Slsl, sub
ject 10 such notifications regulations, and re-
stricliens, as The domestic Lesislau res may i'm.
puse. So far, however as The subject under
consideration relates TO The existing territories o!
the United States, believe that in less than ~
years il will be amcably settled by their admis-
sion into the Union as States, under constitutions,
With or without slavery, as The people may de-
sire"