The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-07
From the Matches Courier.
The Texas Question.

From The Matches Courier.
The Texas Question.
The Vicksburg Sentinel of the 10Th instant laws
down, from what it calls ''he best assurance
programme of action for the Governor of Missis-
sippi i'll relation to the Texas question. Cover
nor Qutman 1--WE told) believes the title of
Texas to the territory claimed by her to be indis-
putable, and that she ought to resist sternly any
torcible seizure Of any part Of it by the National
Executive, and that the southern States ought to
make common cause with Texas; that in the event
of collision of arms. great danger thereof, he
should convene the Legislature to aid our weak
sister to maintain her rights and those of the South.
This ia the executive programme, for the .Senti.
mel confidently aflirms il To be that which the gov
ernor would pursue. Taken literally, it is piece
OF bombastic braggadocio. II the governor waits
until President Fillmore orcbly seizes any part
Of New Mexico, the days will prove very long, and
the months and years move very slowly, before
that period comes round "Forcibly seiser' Why,
the United States have been in peaccable possession
of that disputed territory since the treaty of uada
lupe Hidalgo confirmed title that they had previ-
ously gained by conquest. Nay, in of Nr. Folks
messages, that President informed Congress that
can entire province, (New Mexico) with its CAPT
tall" (Santa Fe) had been surrendered to the Uni
ted Statcs,
ecutive of what the National Government has been
in undoubted possession for two or more years, is
certainly exceedingly ridiculous We by no means
intend to be understood that Texas has no claims
to that territory. She has always had claims. She
at one time, we believe, tried hard TO "claim" all
the way to the Pacific, but the claim was too much
even for Sam Houston. These claims are rendered
much stronger by the subsequent acts ofthe United
States. The latter has estopped herself virtually
from successfully contesting with Texas the true
right TO much if not all the territory in dispute.
But that does not affect the present position of af
fairs. Texas never has had actual possession of
New Mexico. She has made several attempts to
get it, but always failed The United States con-
quered the territory three years ago 1t was ceded
10 her by the treaty of peace She has had posses
sion Of it since. No matter how valid the,
claims of Texas-and we would not lessen their
force one ota-shc is but a claimant still There
fore we say that it ia all braggadoco TO speak of
any forcible seizure of New Mexico by the Presi-
dent.
The truth s that it is Texas that is talking about
- forcible seizures" Her Legislature is now in
session, and her hot heads doubtless consulting
about the ways and means for that purpose. If she
does get up such expedition, and attempt by
force TO possess herself of that great country, she
would doubtless be resisted by all the power the
United States could bring against her II the ex.
ecutve Of Mississippi means that in such nrcible
seizure on the part Of Texas the southern States
should make common cause with her, il becomes a
grave matter for the people TO consider how far
such a design should be sustained and approved.
II would be thought very strange A having claims
70 certain acres, which y. had acquired from c..
and had had in possession for some years. should,
having armed his family and hands cndeavor to
A. -. a., .ot
claimed the land as belonging to himself though
he had never succeeded in getting it away from c.
Such procedure would imply absence of law, and
would be frowned upon by every honest man. A.
and b. stand in no different attitude from what
Texas and the United States present. Should we
be surprised if b. should resist the efforts Of A. by
every means in his power?
The acts Of the President have reference simply
to the question Of possession Of the disputed ter
ritory. He knows that Texas has claims but he
knows full well that the United States have pos
session, and that if he should suffer that posses
sion to 60 into the hands Of Texas, he would be
virtually deciding the question at ssuc-wbch he
has no right TO decide, and makes preteusion to
such right II is because he has no such right
that ne is bound to preserve intact the possession
Of the United States until the boundary is settled
by competent authority. If force is employed to
wrcst that possession away, is he not bound TO rs
sist IT, Wo bctide the day when that force is used
on either side, but wo would bciidc the govern
mcnt which would not resist such a seizure But
such an event il not probable. thanks TO those
firm and conservative spirits who are not playing
ambitions game upon the great national board
President Fillmore. with a Joldness cxemplifying
his character, "a quality that has already gained
him friends at the South where boldncss of action
is admired,) tells Congress what duty requires
Of him in Of such forcible attempts the part
Of Texas and at the same time calls upon that body
to adjust the dispute with Texas, before words
have come TO blows, and TO treat literally and fair
ly with her What is Congress, doing' bill has
passed the Senate dividing the territory between
the disputing parties, leaving TO Texas land enough
for an empire, and giving to her, an equivalent
for concessions Of claims, ten millions of dollars
another has also passed organizing, lin Texas
assents,) that part of the disputed district not
given up to her. Territory of the United States,
without any Wmot provso attached, thus open.
ing, far absence Of congressional legislation
can effect, the upper Rio Grande TO every citizen
Of the South to go there with his family and slaves
Nay more, it frees from the future application Of
this odious proviso large portion Of this territory,
| which had been, at the time of the annexation Of
Texas, given over 10 free soil by the Democratic
leaders Of the day. These measures passed the
Senate with the concurrence Of the Texas members.
II is probable, therefore, that they will meet with
| the assent Of that State.
II 80, shall the hot heads Of the dsunion faction
step in to prevent such a settlement Shall they,
| by clustering about the sword being drawn on
| Texas, and by programmes of Legislative action,
try to obstruct the adjustment Of measure which,
simply because IL lie measure of adjustment and
Cancellation, will extend its healing influence over
| the whole country Texas belongs not TO southern
ultraists She is a sovereign State, and, as such,
has right to adjust with the United States her
disputes with that power. Nor is she ignorant Of
what is for her osn advantage, nor of whatis due
TO the American Union, Of which she iorms part.
The attempts TO defeat the adjustment can only
proceed from desire to the day Of conflict
come. The ultraists want Texas TO seize New
Mexico; they want the United States TO resist, for
| they no doubt believe that when once the blow is