Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/390

 384 Southern Historical Society Papers.

of the United States, and rejected. This proceeding occasioned the ill will oi Mexico, and met with great disapproval from France and England, they being opposed, without any right or reason, to the United States extending its territory over Texas. Public opinion in the United States was divided on the subject, some of our most eminent men opposing annexation because it might involve us in war with Mexico, and others because it was unconstitutional.

After much debate, and different plans were discussed in Congress in relation to this important measure, involving many questions of constitutional and national law, it was brought to a successful termi- nation. Joint Resolutio7is — a most significant term, which, from being a political phrase, became an expression of dignity in our con- stitutional history — were introduced for the annexation of Texas After much debate they passed the House of Representatives, Janu- ary 25th, 1845, by a vote of 120 to 98. In the Senate, after a month's delay and opposition, they passed by a vote of 27 to 25, with an amendment, which was concurred in by the House the next day by a vote of 132 to 76. It is due to histor}/-, and the statesmanship of President Tyler, to observe. that the joint resolutions, on his sugges- tion, were introduced into the House by J. L. IngersoU, of Pennsyl- vania, and George McDuffie, of South Carolina, in the Senate.- Thus it is shown, as appears also by the vote in each House, that it was based on a statesmanship above sectional or party considerations.

President Tyler approved these resolutions for annexation on March i, 1845, three days before his term of office expired, thus concluding his administration, in what Thomas Ritchie, editor of the Enqtdrer, expresses as a " blaze of glory." In the entire history of the annexation question, the proceedings present John C. Cal- houn, whose fame requires no praise wherever his name is known, as one of the most prominent statesmen connected with successful ter- mination and triumphant progress amidst the opposition of able men of both parties and different sections.

Among other great questions settled by the Tyler administration may be mentioned the Northeastern boundary question by treaty with Great Britain, Webster being Secretary of State, and while Mr. Tyler did not secure the confidence of either party sufficient to ob- tain a re-election, his administration was marked by honesty, ability, and brilliant success, that will ever make it a model in American his- tory. The foreign relations, alike with the home affairs, were con- ducted with marked ability and success.

The work of Lyon G. Tyler very properly belongs to an elevated branch of literature, embracing the science of government in its con-