The North-Carolinian. [volume] (Fayetteville [N.C.]) 1839-1861, 1850-09-07

~
State government, and formed a constitu
ton. The second article of that constitu-
| ton prescribes the qualifications of elec-
tors; and in doing so, indisputably deprives
three -fourths of the Mexican citizens of all
participation In the elective franchise.
Here we have perpetrated an express and
positive abrogation of the high and inesti-
mable right of denization; yet do we hear
of any complaints against this aggression
| from the Executive? On the contrary, do
we not find the free-soil friends of the Pres
! ident contending for a confirmation OF this
act of the convention by the Congress of the
the United States? Has it ever been in
timated that the President of the United
States would refuse his sanction to law
of Congress legitimating and confirming
this invidious discrimination against the
treaty rights of the native Californians?
No, sir; Notwithstanding the President
has informed US of his determination to
support, by the military authority. the full
enjoyment the part of the Mexican Cit
izens of all civil and political rights, yet
we find him tamely, quietly, and submis-
sively approving of this constitutional re-
striction. or rather distranchisement.
But, Mr. Chairman, it is not only treaties.
but the Constitu tion is declared to be the
supreme law of the land, in addition to the
| Presidents obliga ton to execute the laws,
he has taken solemn oath to protect and
defend the Constitution. II then. his
views are correct, the consequence is ine-
vtabe. that he must execute all the pro-
visions of the Constitution. The second
section of the fourth article provides for
the reclamation Of fugitive slaves. The
language Of this section is express and de-
cded. Would the President consider It
| A. 1fxy
to execute this provision of the Constitu-
ton, without the Intervention Of an act Of
Congress authorizing him to do SO? BY
the sa me section of the same article. fugi-
tives from Justice are to be surrendered on
demand =; yet this provision was found
impossible of execution, until Congress,
by its action. gave it life and force. 1t
President Washington. even with the aid
and counsel Of Knox and Hamilton. could
have conceived it was his constitutional
duty to execute this provision, he never
would have recommended to Congress the
71ecessi,y Of the law Of 1898, authorizing
the execution of these sections, Whereye:
the Constitution has imposed duty on the
President. the Legislative department ot
our Government has always been called on
to pass necessary laws to enable him to
discharge those duties. And the great
error of the acting President is in surprising
that, in the absence Of such laws, he Is at
liberty to supply the omission
, But, MIR Chairman. the arrOgatIon OF
F such authority by the President, is not
the only objection to his policy, as shadow
, ed forth IN this communication, AS |
have read it, as understand it, the Presi-
dent of the United States undertakes, by
his $ ipse diru,o backed by the strong arm
of Government, to prescribe territorial
limits to a sovereign State. Sir, more than
that, he undertakes TO dismember sover-
eisn State, to cut, slash, and divide her at
his pleasure. He cites from the treaty of
Hidaloo the article which establishes the
boundary, the line of demarkation between
the u S. and Mexico. What is that line? =?
This line, the President informs US, com
. mences at the mouth of the Rio Grande,
, and follows the deepest channel of that
river until it intersects the southern boun-
Diary of New Mexico !: then it assumes a
, westwardly direction to the river ella, and
thence to the Pacific. This is the line as
described by the treaty. and as quoted by
the President, and in connection with it he
hesitates not to. declare, that all the coun-
. try lying east and north of this line belongs
to the United States-is the property OF the
United States. will not do the Presl-
dent the injustice to suppose that he in
f whole of the State of Texas. Yet. under
the claim as made by the United States.
her title is as good to the Sabine it IS to
every foot Of the territory lying east of the
, Rio Grande. The President has failed to
intimate what boundary he will, by the
force of the military power. establish be-
: tween Texas and the United States; but
+ as a portion of his friends have always in
, sisted npon the Nueces as the western
, limit of Texas, this, doubtless, will be his
ultmatum.
t Now, MIR Chairman. is it not we'll know r
that for months and months before tho
breaking out OF the war with Mexico, thai
e all Of this country was represented IN tins
House by the predecessor OF my honorable
4 friend who sits before me Is 1t not wei
q known-was it not known to the Presl
+ dent, before the commencement OF the war
8 .:That we constructed forts, established
post Offices and post roads, and located
n collection districts throughout the whole
Y of that country lying between the Neuce'
and the Rio Grande 7''
v But If these facts should not have re
. moved all doubt from the Presidents mind
D the letters of his illustrious predecessor
o Gen: Taylor-letters written during thu
0 time Of his military adjourn in this countr.
e should have afforded him relief. hav
e before me all those official communications
n aud they each bear the significant super
e scription of having been written IN tn
| counfrv vrhirh was in his estimation,