New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-08-08
The President on Texas.

Mr.. Fillmore py nl5 lave me55age has
placed himself exactly where Magistrate
and Wing should be-on the side Of
the faith Of Treaties and the inviolability Of
the Laws. lie does not assume to decide
where the line between New-Mexico and
Texas ought TO or ultimately will run, but
he knows where it practically was when
Texas came into the Union, expressly agree
ing that her limits in that direction should
be adjusted By the Federal Government
where il stood at the time of the conquest
bv Gen. Kearney and throughout the War
with Mexico and when the Treaty was
framed and ratified which conveyed that
Territory to the Union-where it remained
when Gen. Taylor was inaugurated and
when Mr.. Fillmore himself succeeded him.
True. up to the time Of Gen. TaylOr's acces-
sion, it was the intention of those holding
the reins at Washington to juggle over the
better portion of New-MexicO to Texas, and
orders had been Issued by President Polk
and Secretary Marcy with a view to that
copsummation; but Texas, never doubling
that Gen. Cass would succeed to the Presi-
dency and all these little arrangements be
carried out TO her satisfaction, let her Oppor-
tunity slip by, and cannot recall it. So long
at least as q Wing President occupies the
White House, she must obtain New-Mexico
BY an open vote of Congress, by decision
of the Supreme Court, or by the demon
strated supremacy of her arms to those Of
the Union, for the National Executive will
not wink at her stealing it, but will resist
that contamination to the extent of his
power. Such is the fact, and such is the
substance of President FillmOre'S official
notification, conveyed in the least offensive
language and with an anxious desire to
avoid ,xt1emities, but with an evident de-
termira alton to be as good as his word. And
Texas nav be sure he will be-nsy, she is
sure of it, as we gather from the language
of Mr.. Howard On the receipt of the Mes
sage.
THAT Congress ought instantly to settle
the Boundary between Texas and New
MexicO-that this is the question first in Or
der and in importance of all the grave
questions now pressing for adjustment
we have felt and urged since the winter be-
fore last. But the last Congress could or
would do nothing, and this has thus far
done nothing. The language of Mr.. How
ard in the House on the reception of the
Message is that of an insolent traitor, and
ought to be resented as such by every citi-
zen who believes in settling our domestic
disputes by votes and judicial decisions
rather than by arms.
We have done all we knew how to do, con-
ceded oil that We could possibly concede, to
have this grave question settled amicably.-
We still desire and hope that it may be-
But how can it il Texas plants herself on
The ground taken by Mr.. Howard, and says,
'Concede that all this side Of the Rio Grande
'to its source belongs to US first, as a pre-
requisite to any compromise or concession
ION our part? Give way to us on the fun
'damental question, or we will compel you
'at the point of the bayonetP Is this fit
language to be held by a State to the Gov
eminent Of the UnionY Can the United
States negotiate with dignity and offer large
concessions under the coercion Of such
bloody threats from single newly admitted
and by no means superior member Of the
National partnership?
We have been willing to pay Texas large
" for the REIMBURSEMENT Of her claim on
New.MexicO-not that we believed the claim
valid, nor even intrinsically plausible, but
because we thought our Government, under
the bad guidance now happily escaped, had
80 countenanced and bolstered this claim
that il could not without awkwardneSs ex-
pressly repudiate it, and because we fear
ed a Loco-Foco Congress nerer 'ooald d.
rectIy repudiate it. We were willing to
paw Texas Ten Millions, not for any right
che was asked to relinquisb, but to get rid
of a confused and exciting quarrel, and as
smartmoney for the falsehoOds our Govern
ment has so often officially affirmed with
respect to the Rio Grande being the right
full Western boundary Of Texas, on the
strength Of which the Country was plunged
by,surprise into an unjust war Of aggression
and plunder. We should have gladly at