The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-26

| thing holds dominion but the winds of heaven and
| the beasts OF the forest And il is 10 rescue that
from the grasp of slavery that we are to continue
the wrangle in which the nation has been involved
for year! But, sir, the bill is commended TO my
favor by the fact that il continues within the limits
OF New Mexico ALL or very nearly all, that poPula-
ton which has heretofore regarded that Territory as
their home and their government. What was an
integral department or State is to be continued as
| such, unbroken and entire; and as ! value men,
women, and children more than acres of earth, so
Evalue this bill.
But il is objected, that it proposes TO pay large
sum of money to Texas for land which ID not hers
do not think that is fair statement of the case;
Tor while, to my mind, the claim of Texas, TO Its
whole extent, Is not well founded, yet cannot shut
my eyes to the fact that others holda different opin
ion; and the true question is show shall that dill
ference be adjustedH have enough of differ
ences OF opinion in relation to land titles and boun
dairy questions not TO know the uncertainty which
attends their settlement even in courts of law,
where every thing is supposed at least, TO be set
tied exactly according to right and justice Every
man thinks his own side OF the case 50 clearly just
that his will is very apt TO lead him into litigation
to maintain It, and the consequence always 49, that
one party, of course, loses; and it is not very
that by the time the cause is finished neither party
has made any money, or gained any thing in per
5onal comfort or peace OF mind. Now, sir, have
no idea that this Texas boundary question can be
settled in any court, and II any man can tell me
the amount which will cost to settle it by force Of
arms, then we may begin to compare the amount
in this bill with it, and say whether II is too much
or too little. And in deciding this point, il should
| not be treated if the dispute with foreign
nation. Our national honor and self respect might
| demand of US very different attitude from that
which il becomes us TO assume towards one OF the
| States Of our own Union. turbulent or unrca-
sonable member OF our own family may be treated
with more kindness and generosity than if for
| eign foe should endcavor to invade rights.
We propose to give in this bill the of ten mil
| lions of dollars. This is, to be sure, large
sum of money; but. sir, single month of agi
| tation, such we have had during the present
session. has cost the country much more than this
sum- The embarrassment which this agitation
causes to all the branches OF business, agricultural
commercial, and manufacturing, is heavier tax by
far than the amount OF this sum would make. And
then, it is OF course well understood that this
is intended to the of debt for whic h
Texas was liable when, by taking her into
Union, we took away the resources to which her
creditors had a right to look for payment. There
is, certainly, strong equitable claim upon in
behalf OF these creditors, which grew out of that
monstrous violation of the Constitution which was
committed when Texas annexed to the United
States and one of the evils growing out of that
act, it has always been evident that, at some day,
the payment OF that debt would inevitably devolve
upon For one, am willing to take this occa-
sion 10 do act which will tend, at the same time,
| to give peace to the country, and do act of
| justice, from which, under any circumstances, we
cannot long refrain.
| And now, sir, upon review of the whole matter,
most earnestly hope we shall not close this session
without settling this question II we do, we shall
return to our constituents to scatter still wider the
seeds Of dissenson, which, before return to
meet another session, will have the effect to in
crease the agitation, and widen the breach which,
even now, prevents any useful measure of legisla-
ton from being accomplished. In short, l consider
this Bill of Peace, and such, for one, can
not take upon myself the responsibility Of any
share in defeating it. | desire TO mpute bad
motives to any one; but yielding to every man
the same honesty of purpose which claim for my
| self must declare that, in my judgment, every
vote which is given against this bill a vote tend
| ing directly TO CIVIL WAR.