The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-08-13

I have said that IL | were the people of Texas
and say X in the Senate of the United States, so
THAI they can hear my voice. would reject with
disduin--I will not use that word--but would
reject this proposition requiring the people to sell
their lands, or else to take the penHIy of the hos
tntiss threatened, with view to do what, sir I
Why, the Implication is too obvious 10 be dis
guised to enable New Mexico TO form from ter
ritory which believe to be that Of Texas State
for without ii, you could not form State. And
taking the view Of the subject which do, would
regard myself somewhat in the situation OF per-
son who was besieged, should consent to this
free State upon the borders of Texas should
feel as though was allowing my enemy to raise
citadel from which to fire upon me--to open
hence, let me tell gentlemen, we will find that we
have, for the purpose of making a temporary adj
justment, sssold our birh-right for mess Of pot
tage." We will contribute land, to make State
hostile in interest," and 10 be as city OF refuge for
fugitive slaves from the South. They will serve
to swell the number of mixed population, who
will have something more than political tempta-
ton to oppose us. But am told that civil war;
bloodshed, and all the horrors Of civil war; are to
come upon us, unless we adopt this panacea--this
bill Ofthe honorable senator from Maryland. MIR.
President think no such thing. Let me go through
this process. dot know that Texasis bound to
subject herself to all the horrors Of civil war, of
being overrun by the armies of the United States,
if she does not accede to this demand. / do not
know that she should be driven to such purpose
of selfdestruction. God forbid that Texas should
be driven from her own domain, at the point Of
the bayonet, by our common government Such
doctrines are shocking to me. ] will not COM
promise with them. This compromising with a
power to-day that will only erect itself to attack
me tomorrow the more stoutly, will not engage
in. Texas has assumed no hostile attitude to-
wards the United States But if she would forego
L A Al ..-Ex u
siton which will be submitted to her and New
Mexico, should be erected into a State, what will
be the next thing And the facility of making
States is sgnally illustrated by the views Of dis
tingushed gentlemen. The distinguished sena-
tor from Ohio [Mr. EwISG] has told you that he
is ready TO receive her into the Union soon as
he can. There is a facility, and in my opinion a
fatal facility, nmaking and admitting States into
this Union. You may indulge this facility to
crafty the temptations OF the moment but the
capacity ofthe government to hold the number Of
States to be admitted with this fatal facility is to
be illustrated by time. Sir, it will be found that
the confederacy has been strained beyond its ca
pacity. Those who reach most for the Union
are introducing into it elements Of destruction.
This enlargement Of States---this facility of adj
hitting them into the Union-of making manu-
factory for them under the executive advisement
and threatening, is destined, | believe, if nothing
else is to be fatal to this Union.
am friend to the Union--a Union of consent
and not OF force; and will resist innovations, adj
here to forms, and go for the protection of prece-
dents. Now, sir, what will be the process under
this arrangement You admit New Mexico as a
State into the Union, without the consent of
Texas; and what difficulty is there in the way of
Texas bringing her action in chanceryi She sues
for this property. After we have used the armies
OF the government--of the legislative government
all the appliances which can be under the con-
troll of the executive and legislative proceedings
after having done all this, we erect State imme-
diately, and admit her into the Union. What,
then, would be the case' She brings suit to the
Supreme Court Of the United States, who recog-
nzes and makes good the title of Texas. Very
WELL Texas then claims writ of habere facias
pnssessionem. Why, sir, it would bring about a
collision more certainly than any other measure
now in progress; because then it would be a con-
test between free State, New Mexico,) having
majority to back her, and slave State, not hav-
ing majority to back her, and few allies to stand
by her in her difficulties mean few allies from
the North. protest against such compromise.
am friend to the Union in its true sense; but
thus to go on tampering with the present, in order
that may enjoy something of private and pre-
sent good, sewing the seeds of discord and future
rupture, is not my method of showing my friend
ship for the Union. | shall vote against this
amendment without any kind Of difficulty what
ever 81 @ Hga
~ is uuc 10 fhyBeI 10 say one worn. nave
been always willing to make this Government the
proprietor of the public lands in Texas, to buy
them out for our propretorship, leaving Texas to
lave the political jurisdiction over them. would
doso for two reasons. believe it is not new
opinion Of my own. | know that in the nego-
tiations between the United States and Texas
there is stipulation that her debts are not to be
paid by the United States. But at whose expense
was that arrangement made' That of feeblethird
parties, who too weak to assert their rights.
They were creditors of Texas, who had claims
upon her revenues and resources, thus given to
the United States. Every moral consideration,
say, binds this Government to assume these La
bties and pay these debts. | cannot say legal,
for legal liability is one that is enforceable. But
il is high moral obligation, growing out Of good
faith, out of treaty obligations respecting the
rights of third parties that have been sacrificed to
the arrangement. They have been sacrificed be-
tween two strong parties, and all they have to do
is to appeal to your justice am willing to do
them justice, if it comes in my way; but will
not vote for any Of these measures to avert CON
flict of arms that | believe is not going to take
place; and if it is, why, then, it is time we should
have some trial for right and justice.