The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-27


isted. lie had exhibited some anxiety for me to
take position with him in sustaining Mr. Tyler In
the conversation 10 which am referring, he had
been seeking TO ascertain the disposition of my
mind AZ to the policy of annexiDg Texas TO the
United States, and while specializing ON that sub
ject he remarked, with great vehemence OF man.
ner, g Mr.. Tyler holds in his hands a political
question with which he at any time destroy the
present organization of political parties" The full
meaning Of this remark was explained when Mr..
Tyler concluded treaty with Texas, by the pro-
visions of which that republic agreed TO surrender
its nationality, and become of the States of this
Union and when other developments showed con-
cusivcly that il his aim, by means OF Execu-
tive patronage, and the question Of Texas annexa-
ton, 10 abstract from the Wing and Democratic
parties materials for third political party, by the
support Of which he hoped to be elected TO the high
station to which an accident had elevated him. The
treaty being concluded and submitted to the Senate
for its ratification that body, after long debate,
fused to ratify it. IL was supported and opposed,
Unfortunately. by Wings and Democrats. 1t
disturbed, but did not destroy, the existing party
The period was approaching when the political
parties Of the country were to assemble in conycn-
ton for the purpose Of nominating candidates Tor
the Presidency and Vice Presidency. For this pur-
pose the Wing party and the Democratic party,
respectively assembled in convention at Baltimore;
and Mr.. Tyler mustered an assembage there also,
about as numerous and respectable as that famous
company with which Fastati was ashamed 10 march
through Coventry. Previous to the assembling OF
the conventions, the universal sentiment of the
Wing party had designated MIR. Clay as their can.
didate for the Presidency; and with equal unanin-
ty, MIR. Van Buren, had been indicated as the ia
vortc Of the Democratic party. Each of these dis
| tinguished gentlemen were requested 10 make
known to the public their views 10 the policy Of
anncxing Texas TO the United States; ana both oil
| them proclaimed their opposition to that measure
| The Democratic convention, seeing that, without
| some new question capable ot unsettling the opin-
ions and purposes of the people with respect to po
| liticai parties and public men, they were doomed
| Ia defeat repudiated Mr. Van Buren, and nomi-
mated MIR. Polk, because he had expressed himself
in favor of annexing Texas. The Wing convcn-
| ton, without dissenting voice, nominated Mr..
| Clay Mr.. Tyler sronvention performed the work
| for wli, they were convened by nominating hun;
bat when that gentleman discovered that the Dem
| ocratic party had robbed him OF the hobby with
| which he had expected TO ride triumphantly into
| the Presidency, he Withdrew from the canvass.
The Democratic party entered upon the canvass
with the motto inscribed upon their party banner:
"THE WHOLE or OREGON AND THE ANNEXATION OF
TEXAS"
MIR. Chairman, am eGdeavoring to exhibit the
causes which have brought the country into its
present difficulties, and to nix the responsibility for
the existing state of things where truth and justice
require it to be fixed. Want Of time will not per-
init present all the facts needu to full COM
prehension Of the argument. l beg gentlemen to
remember all that the iron rule OF this House pre-
vents he from detailing. They will remember the
position occupied by the Wing party with respect
to the annexation OF Texas, when, in the manner
have described, that made purely party ques-
ton in TIC Presidential Canvass Of 1874 They will
remember the views put forth by the Wing candi
date (Mr. Clay) in his Raleigh letter. They well
remember that the prominent men OF the Wing
party, with few exceptions, everywhere opposed
that measure, upon the ground that annexation
| would be a breach Of faith with Mexico; that ii
would probably involve the United States in wSr
with that government; that il would create among
our people an appetite for territorial aggrandize-
mcnt that would be Unsuitable; that it would engen-
| der between the States sectional animositics, and
imperil il not destroy the Union. What was pro
phccy then IL history now Their warnings were
UNDECIDED. Mr.. Polk was elected to the Presidency,
and, under his auspices, the measure of annexation
! was contaminated. Mr.. Calhoun, who Secrc-
tary OF State when the treaty with Texas was nego-
tiatcd, placed the policy of that measure upon the
ground that it was necessary a means Of giving
additional security to slavery, by increasing the
political power OF the slavehodng States The
northern States, opposed III sentiment 10 slavery,
and unwilling to conccde preponderance of poliu
cal power To the southern States, were naturally
hostile 10 annexation; and although they sullenly
acquiesced in the contamination OF that measure,
II was obvious 10 all that deep feeling of dscon-
| tent ranked III their bosoms
The with Mexico followed close upon the
| heels Of annexation, and il manifest that
the President resolved upon the acquisition of
territory; and when bill appropriating three mil
lions OF dollars, Ia enable the President to negotiate
| treaty Of peace, was under consideration, the
gentleman from Pennsylvania, (Mr WILMoT, }
moved TO amend 1t by attaching the Proviso which
has since figured prominently IN political
discussions. This House, by large majority, sus-
tanned his motion, but the Senate failed want of
time 10 act upon the bill; and il did become a
law. When Congress assembled at the succeeding
session, our armies had defeated and destroyed
thosc OF Mexico; and comma ndcrs in California
and New Mexico were in quiet possession of those
Il provinces. They had issued proclamations an
nouncng 10 the people Of thoss provinces that they
were annexed" TO the United States; thus disc los
| ing, beyond the possibility OF a doubt, that the
President had from the beginning, prosecuted the
war with Mexico for the purpose Of conquest In
his message to Congress, he assumed that all who
questioned the propricty Of his conduct in this
spect we're, IN effect, opposed their country, and
4 were giving aid and comfort to the enemy" On
the motion 60 refer the Presidents message de-
bate arose, during which his supporters on this
oOr reiterated the same idea. Having participated
in that debate, and, inasmuch what said on that
occasion supports the position which am
deavoring 90 establish, hope / will be pardoned
for reading short extract from the speech which
then delivered:
sit Is the duty Of Congress, and invoke the per
formance Of that duty 10 limit and control the die.
erection Of the President in relation 10 the further
prosecution. of the war. II Congress believes il
TO be expcdient and just TO wage war of conquest
Tor the acquisition OF territory let that fact be de-
carcd; and II Congress believes IT to be inexpedi-
emit let IL assert the constitutional right Of the gs-
lstivc branch Of the Government. by saying ~
the President, thus far shalt thou go. and no far.
Their
cit is moral oovardice, when the great interests
Of the Republic are in peril, TO shut our eyes, and
1hilnh Hohi a " uaslRtfe WIN
which we are threatened.
Gle must be blind to all tho sgns Of tho times
who does not perceive that there IL a fixed and al
most universal determination i'm the northern States
not 60 acquiesce in further extension Of territory,
without attaching TO such extension the prohibition
10 which have referred How shall we overcome
this difficulty, when the question shall come before
Congress permanently 10 annex the conquests Of
the President We have already seen, by vote
Of this House. that tho slayebOldng States will
insist upon prohibiting slavery in those Territories
Will the southern States consent 10 the admission
Of free States south and west OF Texas What will
Texas say What will Louisiana say, What will
the whole South say' All the dangers growing out
Of this question Of slavery, which have met and
overcome heretofore, nothing compared with
tbuse which will arise when that question shall
come up az the consequence Of Mr.. Poks conquests
and snneSatiOns.
"Mr. Chairman, in my opinion, there arc bad
men in the North and the South, who desire a dis.
solution Of the Union, and who. without avowing
their object, laboring diligently produce that
end. The President Il driving the ship Of state
into most stormy and dangerous sea; and If Con-
gress fas 30 act in the lofty spirit Of patriotism
which the occasion dcsnds-if il fails % assert the
constitutional rights and perform the constitutional
duties which properly belong and attach 10 the
legislative branch Of the Government, by putting