Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-09-11
From ihn Boston Courier.


ORANGE SMITH, Secretary.
From the Boston Courier.
On. CHANNING's LETTER TO MR CLAY,
on the Texas question, we have read with
Augmented admiration of the eloquenoe of
the writer and the talent which lie brings
to The discussion Of this, as well as every
to the public. Probably the first question
which will generally be asked, is why
should DR.. Charming write upon this sub
ect' And The next why should he adj
dress his arguments to Mr.. CIay' He
will himself answer both these questions in
the first two paragraphs, as follows;
81 trust, that you will excuse the liberty
which take in thus publicly addressing
you. IfyOu could look into my heart, am
sure you would not con Tenn Inc. You
would discover the motives Of this act, in
ny rcspec for your eminent powers, and
in my confidence that you are disposed TO
use them for the honor and happiness OF
your country. Were you less distinguish
ed, or less worthy Of distinction, should
not trouble you with this letter. | write
you because | am persuaded, that your in
tluencc, il exerted in promoting just views
on the subject ofhis communication, would
accomplish good, TO which, perhaps, no
other man in the country is equal. | am
bound, in franknCss, to add another reason
for addressing you. hope Mat your name,
perixcd to this letter, may secure to it an
access 10 some, PERHAPS 10 many, who
would turn away, were its thoughts pre-
scned in more general form. Perhaps
by this aid it may scale the barrier, which
now excludes from the south a certain class
Of the writings of the north. | am sure your
hospitality would welcome me to Kentcuk-
"; and your well known generosity, be-
lieve, will consent that should use your
name, to gain a hearing in that and the
neighboriDg States.
at is with great reluctance that enter
on the topic Of this letter. My tastes and
habits incline me to very different objects
OF thought and cxertion. | had hoped, that
SHOULD never again feel myself called to
take part in the agitations and exciting
discussions OF the day, especially in those
of political character. | desire nothing
so much as to devote what remains OF lie
TO Tie study and exposition OF great prin-
cples and univcrsal truths. But the sub
ject of Texas weighs heavily on my mind,
and cannot shake it off. To me it is
more than political question. 1t belongs
eminenlly to morals and religion. | have
hoped that the attention OF the public would
he called 10 it by some more powerful voice.
] have postponed writing, until the nation
al legislature is about TO commence the I'M
poriant session, in which, it is thought this
subject may be discussed. But no one
speaks, and therefore | cannot be silent.
Should Texas be annexed to our country,
| feel that could not forgive myself if,
with my deep solemn impressions should do
nothing To avert the evil. | cannot easily
believe, that this disastrous measure is TO
be adopted, especially at the present mo-
ment. The annexation of Texas under ex-
sting circumstances would be more than
rashness it would be madness. That OPP
position to it must exist at the south, as
well as at the north, cannot doubt. Still
there is general impression, that great ell
forts will be made TO accomplish this object
at the approaching session Of Congress, and
that nothing but strenuous resistance can
prevent their success. must write there
fore, as If the danger was real and immi-
! neni and ifany should think that ] am
betrayed into undue earncstness by false
alarm, they will remember that there arc
circumstances in which excess of vigilance
is n virtue"
DR.. Caanning's arguments against the
! uUUGAllpu VI GAuS, dtGj IL nc CIluillldi~
| ny oil the revolt, which threatens TO sever
hat county from McXico; 2. BY this act
our country will enter on career OF en-
croachment, war, and crime, and will mer-
it aud incur the punishment and wo OF ag-
gravated wrong doing: 8. The measure
will extend and perpetuate shverys 4.
! The union cannot hut be loosened. and may
be dissolved, by the proposed extension of
territory; g. The cause OF liberty and OF
Tree Institutions, a cause more sacred than
union. lorbids the annexation OF Texas.
These several heads Of arguments are stated
in the words of DR.. Claiming, aud they are
severaliy awplifed and enforced with bis
usuo ability. Other enga genenise excludes
To-day, all the passages we have marked lor
IeXlracls, except the following -
81 AIN aware that there are those, who,
on reading these pages, will smile at my
simplicity in urging moral AMI religious
motives, disinteresIed considerations, loIIY
aims, ON politician. The common notlnA