Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-08-09
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MR.. FILLMoRE's MESSAGE


which we published yesterday, will doubtless be
the theme of much, and, we apprehend of angry,
discussion. Immediately after it was read in the
House of Representatives, one of the members
from the State of Texas, Mr. Volney Howard,
made an excited speech, in which he declared that
the positions of the message were insulting to
Texas, and that she would assent to no COMPOST
ton with the United States. whilst the sword as
he assumed, was pointed by the President at her
throat. The same gentleman concluded his speech
with these words:
1t now remains TO be seen whether a sovereign
State OF this Union can be invaded by the Federal Co.
vernment and subdued within its own limits by military
power and violence. The solution of this question will
form an era IN the history OF this government"
Now we think every candid reader of the mes
sagewll finish its perusal with conviction that
Mr.. Howard has spoken too fast. 1t is true, the
President gives plain exposition of his difficult
duty, with regard to the disputed territory, as he
understands that duty to be defined by the consti-
tuition, the laws of Congress, and the treaty with
Mexico. 1t is true, he distinctly informs Con-
gress that he considers himself solemnly bound to
maintain the status quo in New Mexico, until the
question of boundary shall be decided by compe-
tent authority. But he is very far from using the
language of menace. He expressly discaims all
power to determine the boundary question, and
earnestly appeals to Congress to adopt, without
delay, some definite measure for its settlement,
"aoath the assent Of the GouernHe1u Of 1eTaS."
lie even SO far acknowledges the force of the
Texan claim, that he advises Congress to allow
her fair and liberal indemnity for surrendering it.
The President tolyoS l;ob;e
distinctly developed in the letter of Mr. Webster
to Gov. Bell, and which is conclusive against the
justice of Mr.. Towards remonstrance.
"a No government (says the message) can be esta-
dashed tor Neeo Merico, either S1te TERRITORIAL
unt Il ShaH 6e first aSceYta5aed arhdt NetD Merco
as and 11hnt are her limits and boundaries These
cannot be liked or KNOWN tM the line of division be-
tween her and Texas shall be ascerained and establish
ed-and numerous and weghty reasons conspre, in
my Judgment show that this divisional line should be
established by Congress- with the OF the govern
ment oil Texas.
Now it must be recoected that what Texas has
taken umbrage at, AMI what has actually induced
her to make preparations for an armed expedition
to Santa Fe, acas The supposed Interference of Col
" anroe, n1der The instructions Of the EGecutiue,
1" erect STATE government upon The uery territory
To l0hich IeGas asserted her title. 1t Is this
which Gov. Bell makes the sole cause of COM
plant in his letter to President Taylor. There is
no doubt that the late administration did favour the
organization of the State government which gave
Texas so much offence; though it appears that
Col. Munroe had no immediate authority for the
part he took in getting up the Santa Fe Conven-
ton. But the passage we have just cited from
Mr.. Fillmores message pr YES that he stands
upon totally different ground, and directly disavows
the proceeding which was obnoxious to Texas
He declares, before Congress, before Texas, New
Mexico and the world, that "no government can
be established for New Mexico, either STATE or
Territorial, " until it shall be first ascertained
what New Mexico is. and what are her limits and
boundaries" He holds, therefore, that the whole
State organization, lrumped up at Santa Fe, in
order to put New Mexico in condition to sue for
her boundaries, is utterly void. Is there any thing
offensive to Texas in this Is it not on the con-
trary, all that she could desire the President to
say?
With regard to Mr.. Fillmore's understanding of
his duty to protect the Mexican citizens of New
Mexico, in the enjoyment of whatever rights they
possessed at the date of the treaty of peace, we
must say that we cannot see how it can be con-
troverted. Having disclaimed any authority to
determine the boundary question, or to prejudice
the claim of Texas by favouring the erection of a
State government in the disputed Territory, he
throws the onuS of violent proceeding upon her.
If she maintain her menacing attitude without
the slightest cause of complaint remaining, the
question will be whether the United States shall
Withdraw their troops merely because she is rails
ing an expedition and threatens to fall upon them.
We are among those who incline to the opinion
that Texas has acquired constructive title to the
Eastern part of New Mexico by the acts of the
United States, though not by anything she has
herself done. But we cannot admit the doctrine
that the General Government must implicitly
yield to every territorial claim which State may
prefer, and more especially when she prefers it
with threat of violence. Our sympathies would
have been wholly with Texas if the policy of the
late administration in relation to the creation of
State government East of the Rio Grande had
been adhered to. But inasmuch as that policy
has been abandoned we maintain that she will be
wholly in the wrong, if she persist in her purpose
of resorting to torcible measures, and that party
which places itself in the wrong cannot expect to
De sustained.
Mr. Howard, in the remarks to which we have
above referred, expressed the opinion that the eff
feet of the Presidents message would be to defea
the bill OF Mr. Pearce now before the Senate
The editor of the Union (who, it is proper to say
treats lhe message as being 'indscreet and un
fortunate in some of its positions'D takes differ
ent view. He Essays:
Instead Of preventing the adjustment. and defeat.
ing MI Frarees bill, We humby think the message i.
calculated TO pecpa,e The issue and hasten the adjust
meIt Is hoped that every effort will be made 10 press
Nh Pearce's bill. The general impression is Thai +
will prevail We have Tins opinion from senator who
= opposed 10 IL. I early passage very Important
II may prevent the efiuson OF blood with ali the fata
consequences it Will produce We should be unworthy
OF our high destiny II we did not, without delay SETTLE
tins question before the legislature Of Texas aud the
policy OF the administration should bringon the clash
arms and The shedding Of brothers blood The appeal
- made TO every member OF Congress TO act promptly