The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-08-12
DEFERRED DEBATE-CosrIx
THURSDAY, August s.


u
senstor alludes was touching upon the claims OF
Texas to this title. agreed with the honorable
senator that she WAS not entitled to It. But We
are told here that she will support that title by
arms. This is a reason that ~ urged why we
should give sum of money or give land TO settle
this question. Ii was that argument was an
swerinc when said would not buy peace wher
war was threatened That was the use made Of
the argument. Being so designed, il the claim o.
Texas is not enforced by arms, that argument i.
gone; il is out OF the way. said that howeyc,
they might threaten TO ussert II by arms, still
would do what was right, and under threats
that kind would mete out TO her nothing NOR,
than strict Justice
MIR. BADGER. am very much Obliged Il
my friend for leading me to the point. But il b,
had waited for few moments he would hav,
found that was coming to it without any lead
ing. ! have not as rapid progression az my
friend. ! do not think as fast. I do not move al
fast. On account of my build and habits canno
DO il.
| was about saying, when | was taken under
the kind guidance of my friend, that could not
consider this question, whether Texas has or has
nounce with authority. My own opinion is that
she has not. But know that there are gentle
men, in and out Of this chamber, whose opinions
are entitled to far higher consideration than my
own upon every question Of this kind, who be-
lieve that she has a good and complete title. To
iubldiiCc ITO OtucIoy mere 10 NY HOUOTuDc ITltiiu
from, Georgia, (Mr. BERRIEN,) than whom there
10 no man more competent to form correct legal
conclusion upon question Of title. He is OF
opinion, and has offered an argument TO prove it,
that Texas, as against the United States, which
is really the question for us TO consider, has a
good and efectual title.
Then, Mr.. President, this being case in which
Texas does not set up false claim, in which
Texas does not bring forward title to obtain that
which she knows belongs to the United States, il
heing case in which the most intelligent and re-
spectacle gentlemen, lawyers and statesmen, be-
lieve that she has good title, for one am dis
posed treat with her in this bill as if she had
good title. She is not one Of our enemies She
10 member of this Union; she forms, in COM
mon with the twenty-nine other States Of this
Union, that country to which belong. And l
am totally unable to preceive how the illustration
offered by the honorable senator from Ohio can
have any application 10 the case under the con-
sideration OF the Senate.
II is said that Texas threatens. Now, sir, do
not know how far the fact that Texas threatens
may be influential, in operating upon the mind of
any Of us here. But this do say, that the pro-
liability that this question Of title and possession
in not settled, and may be made instrumental in
high and Oyerpowerng motive for settling it. In
that respect have more courage than my friend
from Ohio. | have so much courage in that par
ticular, that am willing to incur the charge of
having acted under intimidation. am willing
to admn that am intimidated at any thing which
suppOses violent conflict among the different
members Of this Union.
Mr.. President, recollect well that when thu
question of "Catholic emancipation" many years
ago was before the English House Of Lords, and
when, in addition to the arguments of the intrin-
sic propriety of that measure, giving equal par
ticipation in the Government to the Catholic
subjects Of the king, il was urged upon the House
thai such was the excited state Of things in Ire
land, such the bitterness Of animosity, such the
determined demand for this concession Of equal
privileges, that the rlifisal Of that measure would
involve Ireland in civil war, some lords who
had never seen battlefield, who had never seen a
squadron in the field. who knew nothing Of arms,
except those which were used in sport, treated
with scorn the argument. They said, '.if Ireland
has not right to demand these concessions, we
will not yield them to her, though civil war might
follow the refusal" They said, sslet civil war
come; who fearsi'' But recollectvery well that
that same "lron Duke, who had participated in
a hundred conflicts, far from entertaining such
opinions, or believing il would be an imputation
think strictly demandabIe of right to such consi-
derations, expressed himself to this purpose:
ssMy Lords, said he, it may naturally be sup
posed that from the whole habits Of my life,
should be as little moved by such prospect Of
civil war any other member Of your lordships
house. But, for one, | confeas am alarmed
tremble atthe prospect. have seen war; have
seen civil war and know what it ia. THAI
consideration, therefore, however it may influence
sthsr members Of this house, will powerfully in
iereaa my determination"
Sir, my honorable friend from Ohio is far, far
drawer ia this respect than am. He is far, far
drawer than the {" Iron Duke" who would do al
most any thing that could be demanded to avoid
a civil conHict--a civil war, would pardon much,
0f hlnufar nd threat
ening, and apparent intimidation on the part OF
Texas. Il canno, be supposed by Texas that tine
United States can fear to meet her in conflict
When, therefore. we yield to considerations of mn
excited state of mind in that peoples when we come
forward willingly to settle what that people believe
70 be good title, and that large proportion OF
our own citizens believe TO be good title, although
we may doubt il ourselves, we are not yielding TO
any unworthy fear. but in my Judgment, we are
yielding to those considerations which high and
anxious desire to promote the welfare ofthis whole
country should always induce us to suffer to con-
troll us.
Therefore, Mr.. President, so far as am con-
cerned, do not enter into any inquiry whether we
are allotting to Texas little more little less
shan, according to any strict construction Of her
right. she may be justly entitled to. am willing
10 settle this question and to leave the matter.
Whether Eve, or ten, or fifty millions of dollars be
paid for it, TO me consideration not equal in i'm
portance to the great results to be obtained.
would not put it for one moment in comparison
with any battlefield in which American blood
should he shed by American arms, in which bro
theirs should stand against brothers. with their
eyes flashing hate, and plunging steel in each 9th.
er's bosoms. 4 have not courage to look upon
that am too utterly and absolutely cowardly
to contemplate such scene with any thing but
horror. wish, therefore. TO settle this boundary
question. stand ready to vote for the bill. But
I have vet heard no answer to the question put so
promptly by the senator from New Hampshire,
(Mr. HALE,) whether we have any reason to sup
pose that an eTectual protection of liberty. pro-
perty, and religion, guaranteed to the inhabitants
OF this province. will not be perfectly secure under
the government Of Texas.
Mr. PEARCE. Some Of the remarks which
have fallen from my friend from Pennsylvania
IMr. Corral oblige me again briefly to adresS
the Senate. The senator stated that the line pro-
posed by me in this bill, cedes to Texas 10000
square miles more than the line proposed by the
senator from Ohio, [Mr. Ew,Nc.] which Ia very
nearly the line proposed by the compromise.
The line Of the senator from Ohio, varies very lit
lie from thai nrnnosed in the comnromise bill II