The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-08-01
TREASON.

A member Of Congress furnishes the WaSh"g-
Ton Union with extracts of letter written him
from Texas. They announce that there VIII De
called session of the Legislature about the l%'n
of August, with a view to take effective measures
to enforce the jurisdiction of the State over San
Ia Fee The writer says:
I" must confess that it is a question OF great
import TO us, and one that should be well consid-
ered yet I can see but one course LEFT 10 US
which is to maintain our rights, or SINK with
them and such is the universal feeling here"
"The course of the Administration in this
matter has sealed the fate Of any compromise
that can pass the Congress. There might have
been some chance for a settlement OF some KIND,
If they had left the matter alone as it stood at
the last session. Mark my position Texas Will
never submit to any compromise until AFTER the
United States has Internationally acknowledged
her rig1t to the So.
He says an armed expedition will probably set
out on the ist September.
"There will be no lack Of volunteers Sever
al gentlemen have already undertaken to raise
and organize companies IL the expedition ever
gets to Santa Fe, there will be some hot work
Traitors and rebels will fare badly
While the territory Of Oregon was in dispute
between this country. and England, had England
marched her troops into it, with view of expel
ling the United States, it would have been an ac'
of war. The United States claim New Mexico
as territory belonging to the Union, and this
claim is beliered to be valid by three fourths of
the American People. Texas claims it as part
of her territory While in dispute, should the
latter dsregarding all peaceful and constitutional
means for settling the controversy, raise troops
and march them into the territory, for the pur-
pose of taking possession, and excluding the Fed
eral Authority, she would commit an act Of war
and this is treason, as defined by the Constitu-
ton " Treason against the United States shall con-
siss nag a.. .s.yoss. = s'.Ss, - mad
herring to their enemies, giving them aid and COM
fortn
The pecsle of Texas may believe what they
choose about their right TO New Mexico: the
great majority of the People of the Union be-
lieve she has no right to it, If she attempts to
enforce her belief by the sword, she imposes on
the other party the duty of resistance by the
sword She becomes traitor to the Union, and
deserves the fate of traitor.
Were no constitutional mode provided for the
peaceful settlement of the controversy she might
be justified in the judgment Of mankind in resort
ing to revolutionary remedy but there is a
tribunal for the settlement of just such contro.
versies instituted by that Constitution which the
authorities of Texas are sworn to support, as the
supreme Law of the Land. The judicial power
of the Supreme Court extends to all "oontrover-
sizes in which the United States shall be party
III suit in this Court be deemed too tedious there
are other peaceful modes of settling the difficulty
but If Texas reject all these, If she plant herself
upon the ground that the United States must
Internationally acknowledge her right to the
country in dispute, or she will draw the sword
against them, then, beyond all doubt the hour
has come for testing whether the Federal Gov
eminent has the viii and the ability to protect
itself, to maintain the rights of the Union, tC
preserve the Constitution, to suppress and punish
Treason.
If concession is to be made at oil, never let il
be made to the demands Of Treason. The mar
who urges the Federal Government to abandon
ton of State In arms against its authority j
himself guilty Of aiding and abetting Treason
Texas should be taught that the United State
of America have little more ability to maintain
their rights than had the United States of Mex
leo, that though rebellion against the latter wa
crowned with success rebellion against the for
mer must cover her with infamy