To those who contended that Congress had no power to annex territory with a view to admitting new States, Douglas replied that the Constitution not only grants specific powers to Congress, but also general power to pass acts necessary and proper to carry out the specific powers.  Congress may admit new States, but in the present instance Congress cannot exercise that power without annexing territory.  “The annexation of Texas is a prerequisite without the performance of which Texas cannot be admitted."[190] The Constitution does not state that the President and Senate may admit new States, nor that they shall make laws for the acquisition of territory in order to enable Congress to admit new States.  The Constitution declares explicitly, “Congress may admit new States.”  “When the grant of power is to Congress, the authority to pass all laws necessary to its execution is also in Congress; and the treaty-making power is to be confined to those cases where the power is not located elsewhere by the Constitution."[191]

With those weaklings who feared lest the extension of the national domain should react unfavorably upon our institutions, and who apprehended war with Mexico, Douglas had no patience.  The States of the Union were already drawn closer together than the thirteen original States in the first years of the Union, because of the improved means of communication.  Transportation facilities were now multiplying more rapidly than population.  “Our federal system,” he exclaimed, with a burst of jingoism that won a round of applause from Western Democrats as he resumed his seat, “Our federal system is admirably adapted to the whole continent; and, while I would not violate the laws of nations, nor treaty stipulations, nor in any manner tarnish the national honor, I would exert all legal and honorable means to drive Great Britain and the last vestiges of royal authority from the continent of North America, and extend the limits of the republic from ocean to ocean.  I would make this an ocean-bound republic, and have no more disputes about boundaries, or ‘red lines’ upon the maps."[192]

In this speech there was one notable omission.  The slavery question was not once touched upon.  Those who have eyes only to see plots hatched by the slave power in national politics, are sure to construe this silence as part of an ignoble game.  It is possible that Douglas purposely evaded this question; but it does not by any means follow that he was deliberately playing into the hands of Southern leaders.  The simple truth is, that it was quite possible in the early forties for men, in all honesty, to ignore slavery, because they regarded it either as a side issue or as no issue at all.  It was quite possible to think on large national policies without confusing them with slavery.  Men who shared with Douglas the pulsating life of the Northwest wanted Texas as a “theater for enterprise and industry.”  As an Ohio representative said, they desired “a