The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-08-01
LEGISLATING UNDER MENACE.


ent, high.principed action from the present Con-
gress II has lost its freedom; it is in subsection
to its fears By dint of great swelling words, and
fierce threatenings, the Shareholders have rem
dered it so nervous, that it shrinks from doing
anything at oil, lest it should in some way pro-
woke their resentment The crack Of the whip
resounds from day to day; and honorable men,
bers spring to do the bidding of their overseers.
What Mr.. Hale once said in jest about the
United States being annexed to Texas, is begin
ming to be quite prevalent opinion in Congress
Texas, through her two Senators and two Rep
eral Government. "tIitherto shalt thou come,
but no further; one step beyond the line our
sword has marked, and that step shall be thy
last sink or swim, live or die, beyond all doubt
the Union shall be blown sky high"
1t seems that the Government of the Union has
been transferred from Washington to Houston,
and that the Legislature of Texas is henceforth
to give law to the United States
Texas will permit no questioning of her claims,
allow nothing for an honest difference of opinion
Believe or be damned, is the alternative she pre-
sents.
She has claim to the territory east of the Rio
Grande 30 have the United States. She has no
possession, never has had possession of the terri
tory the United States conquered IL, then paid
for it, took possession of it, and have held pos
session of it ever since.
"Thats neither here nor there" cries Texas,
eve lay claim to it, and will have it, cost what it
mayD
"-But may we ~1a J,ress'"- ~ Swwp y
"No, 1t is insulting"
"Msy we not urge our O'on claimP
"No. il is an intolerable aggression"
mWill you not agree to submit the contest 10
the Supreme CourtW
"Never. What. submit the rights of a'Sover-
eign State to the decision of tribunal belonging
to the United Statesw
"Well, suppose we treat with you on equal
terms We have claim and possession; you
have a claim, and no possession. We are the
United States you, a single State. Still, we will
deal with you as an equal. Appoint commission
ers we will do the same; they shall meet, con-
suit, and propose such an adjustment Of the con-
GrOVerSy Us tncy oc aoio " oSiS0 uP0h'
Will you consent to this %
"No; we stand by our rights-that territory
is ours. We will not by implication allow cur
title to be drawn In question. II you want 1t,
give us ten millions True, you have already
paid some millions for it, but not copper went
into our treasury"
"But, suppose, since you refuse every reason
able mode of settling the controversy, we, being
in possession, and with claim, to say the least,
as strong as yours, choose to continue in posses
sion 2n
awe will dislodge you at the point of the bay
onet; and for every drop of blood wasted, we
shall hold you responsible"
Modest, most magnanimous Texas! Men of
spirit in the North, reading the newspapers at
home, may feel contempt for this bullying; but
too many Of the Representatives whom they have
most Scsrs smss y Are and birthstone and thew
are willing to do anything to hide themselves
from her wrath. The poor creatures are the vic
tins of morbid Imagination, and even the Wash.
ington Union has power to work them up into an
agony of apprehension. 1t is filled within and
without with lamentations and warnings. II sees
sights, and hears voices, pregnant with evil omen
The South is red hot with excitement; the ele-
ments begin to melt with fervent heat; for
Heavens sake, gentlemen, be quick with that
Compromise, or this glorious Union, with all its
wondrous associations, will be in ashes,
On what q slender thread hangs the weight of
our far-hmed Union Emancipate few hun
| aIn xho 90 (.
falls. Prohibit slavery in free territory, and it
falls Admit the free State of California by it.
self and II falls Refuse to yield to the claim Of
Texas, oustiDg the United States at the point of
the bayonet from their possessions in New Mex
leo, and it falls Reject the Compromise, and it
falls In short, do anything, not precisely in
harmony with the views and interests of "the
Chivalry" and the Union, with all its precious
freight of glorious recolections and still more
glorious hopes will be wrecked.
The latest horror held up to brighten Northern
towards is Disunion speech by Mr.. Rhett, of
South Carolina, formerly member of Congress.
in which he distinguished himself chiefly by the
shrillness of his voice. All the newspapers here
seem panic-stricken with his daring; and even
Mr. Clay took occasion, the other day in the Sen
ate, to denounce him as traitor. We do not see
any special reason fer alarm Mr.. Rhett is only
giving utterance to sentiments which he and few
fdgetty demagogues like himself, have harbored
for years. Without talents to acquire national
distinction, they have just enough to earn by hard
labor, sectional notoriety Why not let them
talk, and act too, if they likel We do not be-
leve the country will be relieved Of these pitt
full outcries of danger to the Union, till some real
attempt at Disunion has been made. For one, we
are quite willing South Carolina should try the
experiment. The right of secession is incontest-
able--but it is a revolutionary right Let her
exercise II, and see how many States she can in
duce to follow in the lead, taking r. Barnwell
Rhett as their Magnus Apollo. II she and other
States are prepared for Disunion, they are not
prepared for Union; and 1t is manifest that our
present Government with such dissHected men,
bers opposing it, only act by their suffersnce
This Slavery question is a pretext with the Dis
union agitators its settlement would not allay
their discomfort they cannot be great men in the
Union they may be- out Of it. Concession will
do no COED, but harm. 1t will only embolden
them TO make more audacious demands. Have
we Government or not This is question
which we are willing to see determined IL II
must waive its authority, abstain from the exer
else of Its constitutional powers, whenever any
State may choose to threaten violent resistance,
then it Is a Government not worthy the name
il is, in fact, no Government at all.
OUR RELATIONS WITH PORTUGAL.
From The WASHINGTON Coyysspoudeuoe of The Ne,p