Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-01-26

he mutt be blind and unreGecting man, indeed, WHO
has not been brought to question the praccabuty of
maintaining Republican Government with universal suf
fage in any community where the system of domestic
,servude does not exist .r. ... H.....
The third charge brought against me is that, while
Senator in the Congress Of the United States reOog
nized the eGpedency of the acquisition of Texas an
object of high national interest," and yet would vote
for regardless of the means by which to be
CURED The old Jesuitical maxim, that the end sanct-
fes the means is then seems 70 be revived the
proper rule of modern Craftsmanship. 1t can hardly
yet be forgotten what extraordinary appliances were
resorted TO- for both party and personal interests to
make the acquisition of Texas issue in the Presden
tia election of 1874 1t this that led all the pre-
cpitaton and dsregardo Of naonalcharacer with Which
the object was pursued at the epoch referred to.
Twas decidedly in favor Of the object could
be accomplished by honorable and legitimate means,
which believed with little discretion and delay
could be easily done and in the discussion of the
Treaty that had been gotten up took occasion to urge
views of the high national Importance Of the acquiSi
ton to the commercial and manufacturing as well as
planting States of the Union, which, hoped would
deem great national object from the exclusive sec
onal aspects in which, unlucky it had been presented
by others There serious objection to the Treaty
as it Stood which carried the limits Of the cesson into
abe remaining and undispued domnions of Mexico. In
order 10 give time for settlement of boundaries with
Mexico, which had special reasons to believe could
be successfully accomplished, and thereby cut of the
source of future controversy and probable war; moved
that the final action upon the Treaty be postponed for
six months, and that, in the meantime, measures be
taken for a friendly, conventional adjustment Of
i ermnous limits with Mexico The motion rejected,
as ii would bave nterfered with the great party object
of making Texas an issue IN the Presidential election
aud the question then recurring the ratification of the
Treaty it rejected by majority Of than two
to one exhibiting in the division fifteen Southern
savehOding Senators against the ratification and twelve
in favor Of it.
| Under the impetus engendered in the hotbed of
victorious Presidential election, and with the powerf
aid of letter from General Jackson it was believed
that the annexation could be carried in the form Of
legislative act by a mere majority vote of the two
Houses of Congress though there no prospect Of
obtaining the twohirds Of the Senate required by
the Constitution for the sanction Of Treaty The only
legitimate and constitutional mode OF acquiring foreign
errtory-by treay-was, therefore, laid aside and it
was determined to rush such the phrase of the davJ
the annexation a legislative through both
Houses by a mere majority vote. could not look upon
other light than glazing violation ofthe Con-
stutiou, and as precedent, recognizing the compe.
tency of a majority of Congress to do whatsoever
they pleased fatal TO the rights and safety of the South
which was in a hopeless minority of numbers.
saw in it not only the germ of future war with
Mexico which ended by bringing in free State on the
borders of the Pacific, that wholly neutrazed the adj
vantage gained to the South by the annexation Of Texas
but saw in it yet farther the provOcation and COM
mencement of legislative reprsals the part of the
organized majority held by the nonslavehodng States
IN the two Houses of Congress- whic would lead neyi.
taby to violent disruption Of the Union. | may be
excused, under the circumstances of the case, for citing
very brief extract from the speech made on the &C.
casion, the 18th of February 1915
az the anxiety OF gentlemen per Js dR Refds TO get In
Texas setting aside the provisions OF tn, Constitution which re-
qulre Of ords OF the States Of the Union
agreement with foreign powers they open
In this of bitter which 20
could legislative reprsls would be made
OF retaliation attempted which this Union stand
Mr. did say suppose that would produce ippe-
formal solution Of e UnoR hut this he did say
that this high hsnded should be cOnsummsted
would lead anuOsites, contentious and csnacis
which would ebiter the Union As to render violent dis
" ruptlon almost InevAbie'
These predictions verified as they have been to the
letter By tine of events yet in the view of
some whe claim an exclusive patent for modern states
mlnship, proofs only o. mbecily.
On whatsoever other point wide differences of fancy
or opinion may be INDUCED there lesson taught
by great statesman reputed at least to be one In
former, but perhaps less enlightened timesl Edmund
Burke, which, had hoped could nOi be ignored in
assembly of Virginia representatives. to be patri
os as not to forget that are gentlemen" On what
principle of propriey my family relations brought
into the Senatorial election, at loss to conjecture
But since that has been done, cannot but feel natu
raj solictude that the absent members of my family
should not suffer injustice from their connection with
parent, who happens to be the object Of personal
political resentment at home.
large portion of my life has been spent in the SER
vice of my country abroad. Ny children have been
with me- and being thus removed from their native land
by circumstances not of their my choice they formed
acouaintances and attachments abroad that led to ties
he most sacred that can bind the human heart. The
particular situation of the families with which they are
connected, and the numbers to which their house
holds have grown, rendered tner immediate return 10
Virginia. on the breaking out Of the war; mpr4ctcable
and the jealous and memorable regulations of the North
ern Government have since thrown additional and nsu-
perable Obstacles in the way But the insnuaton that
they adhere to that Government in spirit or in act is
utterly without foundation Virginia does not hold in
her bosom, proud TO say children who are truer
in their affections their paren:ate than they; and
there are many Of their early friends and companions
here knowing alike their sentiments and the circum
stances Of overrung necessity and domestic obligations
BY which they are surrounded, who WILL sure, bear
witusss to the fact. |
am fually reproached, /: seems with great n6rmty
Of purpose and indccisiOn Of ohaacter On this point
it il not for me to speak. have not tfrned TO be
- 49, .-..-.... A .nl:t;,al nrnr. e.. .hn rpnrA |