The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-14

astonishing fact that 1t will take two hundred
years to I'LL the present slave States upon the basis
Of the population of Massac husetts, with popula-
ton that would render slave labor Improbable.
Wen, are you prepared 10 play the Don Quixote,
and bring around you more evils than ever sur
rounded people before, for the sake of chimera?
II the banner OF disunion for causes slight, should
be unfurled, for one, will not enlist under it; but
faithful to the principles of him whose likeness looks
down upon our delberation, George Washing
toni will to the full extent Of my ability uphold
and defend the Union which he formed. have all
the feelings OF southern man, and1 would be
ready as any one TO protect southern rights; but
am not for tanning the flame of discord without
rhyme or reason. Why should you look to dsu-
Mon as remedy for aggressions such have
any better by disunon? Could you keep them then
from running away? What is the object, what is
the design! II you could not do 30, why insist that
dissolution of the Union should take place?
do not pretend to say that day may not come
when the South can no longer stand out against
| the anti slavery feeling of the North. The North
Itself may destroy the Union If, in order to graf
y her hatred to the existence of slavery she should
attempt to alter the Constitution to enable her to do
so, and effect the alteration, that would inevitably
end the Union The Constitution will be destroyed,
If 1t be done at all, by the act of the northern
people.
know there is deep feeling existing in the
North against slavery; know it is overwhelming;
not so impetuous, however, that they want to de-
stroy the Union. The overwhelming feeling at the
North that speak Of is against the extension of
slavery, and not for the extinction of slavery in the
States.
But suppose it is true-suppose my distinguished
friend from Georgia is right, and that they intend
to extngush slavery in the States or dissolve this
Union, Il differ, however, with him upon that;)
but suppose he is right, and am wrong, with what
lights we have before us; if he is right and this
effort Is to be continued, what is to prevent us,
when the crisis does come, from fighting as gal
lantly as now' What is to prevent from de-
Tending ourselves gallanty then as we can do it
now, if the crisis should be precipitated?
do not wish to destroy this Government on 4
speculative hypothesis. do not want to imagine
that this thing will come, and will not do it.
have felt 1t my duty on this occasion to address
the committee, because of the warke tone that has
been manifested here, with which have no sym
pathy.
The fact that civil war; with all its attendant hor-
rors, is to aifiict this country, cannot believe.
Now ask this House, are they prepared by any
hasty action 10 aid in bringing upon the country
so greaIa misfortune am willing to concede
the claim Of Texas and give her ten millions; but
| believe she has betrayed too great degree of
impahence; that while we have been here laborng
for seven long months upon the slavery question,
anxously endeavoring TO adjust the questions in
volved, Texas simply because the people Of New
Mexico have attempted to make a constitution and
have iailed-l say failed, because such instru-
ment has yet reached this Government-whiie we
have been thus laboring to adjust the question Of
her boundary along with the other pending ques-
tions, where IS the propriety the part Of Texas
to march her troops there at least until Congress
shall have adjourned without taking action the
subject Indeed, they might well be expected to
wait until the question came up again at the next
session, and the time will be short; and if satis
factory adjustment be made, or if an improper de-
cision be made, it will then be time enough for
them TO act, and TO decide whether they will sub
init to such decision. 1t will be time enough for
her TO act when the decision is made against her
when the die Is cast. Do not draw the sword now.
This lie Government of law. Wait and see if this
Tree Government will not do you justice before you
plunge IL in a civil war.
The President has claimed no power that he has
President has cd
distinctly upon this express point that he disclainas
the power TO decide the question in dispute. |
know you may argue that the President, by say
ing that the boundaries of New Mexico are now
what they were before the Mexican war, does in
ferenually decide against you. In this you are
mistaken Look at the letter Of Mr.. Webster which
accompanies the Presidents message. He argues,
and shows conclusively, that If you obtain posses-
sion by force, will add nothing to your title Nor
docs the attempt Of the citizens of New Mexico to
form State government affect your claim in the
least degree. What then, ia il that makes IL so
important for you to have possession that you must
resort 10 force The fact that you are not in pos
session will not weigh feather in the decision (by
the proper tribunal OF your claims TO that country
Should the proper tribunal finally decide against
you, would the decision be Of such an enormous ma
ture that you would appeal to arms, and involve
your country in a civil war; IL so, for Gods sake
II is time enough to do that when you have awaited
the decision OF Congress.
Mr. HowARD (the floor being temporarily Yield
ed TO him) said: The gentleman from Tennessee
il disclaiming to decide the right that Texas has to
the territory that Is claimed by her II appears to
me that the message in that respect, is singularly
contradictory in itself, and If the gentleman will
re-eIaminc It he will find il TO be 50.
Mr. ii. quoted from the message. The civil divi-
sion Of Texas distinctyely marked previous 10
her coming into the Union, and the treaty was
companied by map which was made de facto
part OF the treaty, by which il appeared that the
whole Of what is called New Mexico lying upon the
east bank Of the Rio Grandc is the territory of Tex
Hatf NkN.ap De- AZ. a.
ncontroyertible evidence Of title now orders that
very country to be delivered up TO the civil author
ity of the United States
MIR Crawford gave directions to the military au-
thority there, not to interfere with the establish
ment OF civil jurisdiction by Major Neighbors; but
President Fillmore changes that order and directs
that il an attempt be made to establish civil uris-
Federal Government.
Sir, / do not know what will be the result of the
issue but this do know, that il Texas is be put
down, she IL only 10 be put down by force, and
after every effort that can be made her part TO
resist.
Mr.. WILLIAMS, (resuming) / am perfectly
conyersant with the facts stated by the gentleman
because have read them in a circular which he
addressed TO his constituents; but am surprised
when the gentleman relies for his evidence of title
upon the opinion Of the administration Of MIR. Polk.
by whom the surrender Of the country TO Texas
ordered II that the only evidence OF
title, il would be Indifferent one. President
POlks opinion did not affect the title Of Texas in
the least he having no power to decide such
question.
My friend from Teras, (Mr. HowARD) argues
that President Fillmore has inferentially decided
the question against Texas that il is n high
handed usurpation Of power; that he has virtually
drawn the sword Mark the difference. When
President Polk decided the question in favor Of
Texas, II was no usurpation OF power. Oh no it
was most proper. But when President Fillmore
disclaims any such power and only decides that it
s his duty 20 let the question remain until IL ia dis
posed Of by the proper power, the gentleman from
Texas chooses to attempt 10 show that MIR. Fill
more is mistaken, and that he has decided the
question. Suppose il was true, how is 1t that the
exercise of the same power by President Fill
more IL usurpation of power, and not a usurpa-
ton of power when President Polk assumed the
power and decided the question according to the
argument OF the gentlcman2 II is happy illus
raton Of the fable OF the lawyer, the farmer, and
the
Mr.. HOWARD, (Mr. WILLIAMS yclding)
would ask the gentleman how this question Is ever
TO be decided and set at rest if the Administration
may reverse the decision Of the preceding one? By
what civil authority is IL ever TO be settled?
Mr.. WILLIAMS. The answer is simple and plain.
ny the Congress of the United States with the
sent OF Texas; or, as is supposed by many gentle