Speech Of Mr Dromgoole Of Virginia On The Annexation Of Texas

Author : George Coke Dromgoole
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781331100089
Total Pages : 22 pages
Book Rating : 4.1/5 ( download)

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Download or read book Speech of Mr. Dromgoole, of Virginia, on the Annexation of Texas written by George Coke Dromgoole and published by . This book was released on 2015-07-10 with total page 22 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Excerpt from Speech of Mr. Dromgoole, of Virginia, on the Annexation of Texas: Delivered in the House of Representatives, January 24, 1845 Mr. Dromgoole commenced by remarking that he had little hope, in addressing the committee, of being able to add anything to the interest or novelty of a subject which had been so long discussed. It must have become, notwithstanding its vast and exciting character, in some degree stale. The deep attention heretofore justly bestowed on the Style, ability, and matter of debate, must naturally be growing languid. Notwithstanding, however, that the patience of the committee, and die topic of debate, are alike exhausted, he still felt it to be a duty which he owed his constituents, and from which he ought not to shrink, to express his views before the close of this discussion. He addressed the committee, then, from a solemn sense of duty to those he represented, united, he confessed, to an anxious wish to be properly understood in the judgment of his countrymen. It is usual (said Mr.D.) to begin by announcing the particular subjects which the speaker will discuss. I shall (said he) so far depart from this accustomed method as to announce what topics I shall lot discuss. I shall not discuss the treaty of 1803, or the purpose of ascertaining the extent of our erritorial acquisitions thereby accomplished. I shall not examine the pro.visions of the treaty of 1819, to learn what, if any, was the extent of territory we thereby ceded or abandoned. No, sir, he United States have acquiesced in these treaies. Texas has been peopled by hardy, brave, and enterprising emigrants from our own borders. They have gallantly achieved their own independence they have manfully maintained it they have uccessfully defended their territory and their lomes. We have recognised their independence ve have negotiated with them as a free and soverjgn republic. It does not become us to revive any atent or dormant claim to the soil or the people. fwe ever had just claim to the territory inhabited ythese fearless adventurers, (and that I shall not uestion or debate, ) if we did not lawfully cede it by he treaty of 1819. we have surely, long since, absoately abandoned it. By public acknowledgment nd by treaty stipulations we have admitted that exas is rightfully held and independently governed yits own proper citizens; and we are thus indubitaly estopped from reviving or reasserting any obsolete title. I repeat, then, I will not go back to either of those treaties to derive argument, or evince research. In my entire examination of the proposed measure of uniting Texas to the United States, 1 must regard the former as an independent and sovereign republic. In reference to the constitutional power, on our part, of accomplishing this great proposition, gentlemen have adverted to the rules of construction applied to the case of the will mentioned in the humorous Dean Swift stale of a tub. I shall make no additional commentary thereon, but beg leave to refer gentlemen, who have manifested interest in this will case, and who may desire to pursue their investigations, to an entire essay written by a distinguished statesman of Virginia. By turning to the seventeenth or last section of this book, (holding it in his hand, ) they will find it, though consisting of several pages, wholly devoted to an examination of the principles of construction adopted in this will case. The book is entitled "New Views of the Constitution," and is from the pen of the celebrated John Taylor, of Caroline. From it, sir, they will readily perceive what political party in the United States most resembles the son in the latitudinous construction of his father's will. Heretofore (said Mr.D.) the examination of general principles has mainly engrossed the efforts of the supporters of the measure, without such an application of them as to indicate a decided preference for any particular proposition. The rapidly approaching time when this de