The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-21

are opposed TO slavery their state Of society re-
Jects II their use Of cheaper labor rejects 1t the
Opinions, the sentiments, and feelings Of the pco-
pie, all reject it, warmly and decidedly as IL ID
rejected by the people of Maine.
And IL appears 10 me just about probable that
African slavery will be introduced into New Mexi-
co, AMI there established, it is that the same
slavery viii be established Oh Mars Hill, or the side
of the White Mountains.
Amung the ma xims left by Lord Bacon, one
is that when seditions discontents arise in the
State, the part Of wisdom is to remove, by all
means possible, the The surest way 10 pre-
vent dlscontens, if the times will bear it, he says,
Is 10 take away the matter OF them; for If there be
fuel prepared, il is hard to tell whence the spark
shall come that shall set IL on fire. So counsels
Lord Bacon; bot with US, there other advisers.
Although the dispute be obviously altogether I'M
important, and although the times will well bear
the taking away Of the matter Of it, their patriotic
ardor still admonishes us 10 continue the contest
10 hight IL out; If the oyster be gone, sll to make
fierce battle for the shell nor give up the warfare,
I'LL we obtain joyful victory, shall noby fall.
Gentlemen, will conclude this letter by short
reference 10 one other topic. good deal of COM
plant has been manifested, you know, ac-
count OF the opinions expressed in my speech re-
speeding Texas, and the legal construction and eff
iect OF the resolutions by which she became annexed
to the United States. Surprise and astonshment,
and all the eloquence of capital letters and notes of
admiration, have been summoned to mark the ut
terance OF such new and startling sentiments. The
truth is, however, that there is nothing in the
whole matter. The same view, substantially, of
the resolutions of annexation had been taken again
and again, by myself and others
| Gentlemen, i voted against the treaty by which
these Territories ceded by Mexico to the Uni
ted States; and in open Senate, in a speech made
on the 23d Of March, lSlS referred TO Texas and
to the resolutions Of annexation. The speech was
published IN the newspapers, and circulated in
pamphlet form, and read by everybody who chose
To read IT, In that speech you will find these Words
"Now, sir, do not depend on theory. ] ask you
and ask the Senate and the country TO look at
w IN he de
pariure three years ago, and where now are,
and shall leave it to Imagination to conjecture
where we shall be.
owe admitted Texas as one State for the pre-
sent. But il you will refer to the resolutions pro-
vding for the annexation of Texas you will find
provision that il shall be in the power Of Congress
hereafter to make four other States out of
Texan territory. Present and prospectvely, there
fore, fire new States, sending ten Senator's may
come into the Union out of fexns. Three years
ago we did that Now We propose to make two
States for undoubtedly, il we take what the Pre-
sident recommends. New Mexico and California
each will make State; so that there will be -four
Senator's We shall have then, in this new terri
tory, States, sending fourteen Senators this
chamber. Now, what will be the relation between
the Senate and the people, or the States from which
they Gomez"
You will see that here is the opinion of the
meaning OF the Resolutions of Annexation, ex-
pressed nearly in the same words as contained
III my speech of the 7th of March last. And this
only Two years ago But nobody then expressed
eIther surprise or astons1ment. There was no call
TO arms, invocation of the Genius of Liberty, to
resist false construction Of an act OF Congress,
stirring and rousng paragraphs in the newspapers,
no patriotic appeals TO the people, and no insane
declarations, such as we now hear that the Texan
Resolutions arc utterly void.
But, gentlemen, will pursue no further topic
of some little interest To myself but OF great i'm
portance TO you, or the country. | leave it, with
the single remark, that what true, in respect
to the construction Of an act of Congress in 1913,
must be true, in the same casc in 1850; and if an
individual on his own authority, may declare one
act OF Congress void, hc may, with equal pro-
priety, absoye himself from the obligations i'm
posed on him by all other acts his oath binds him
only to the observance of such laws he himself
approves. How far such "A sentiment is fit to be
acted upon by men, TO be nstilled into the minds
Of youth, the country must Judge.
But you, and the whole country, gentlemen,
interested most deeply, in knowing what is the
prospect of a settlement of existing difficulties.
On this point, am happy to say, that can
speak with hope, if not with confidence. / think
see indications that the public judgment will, ere
long, be brought TO bear upon these troublesome
and exciting questions, and that the voice OF ma
jority 81 the people will hush other discordant
voices How this will happen, cannot say; but
fully believe that the floods will yet subsde, that
the troubled waters will return within their banks,
and the current of public affairs resume its accus
toned and benefcent course.
am, gentlemen, your obliged fellow citizen and
obcdient servant, DANIEL WEBSTER.
ROBERT ii. GARDINER, esq, and others,
Gardner, Maine.