Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1837-05-05

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and with powerful nation in possession Of
these outlets 10 the sea it is obvious that the
commerce Of oil the west was in danger of
perpetual vcxation. The command of these
rivers to the sea. was, therefore, the great
object aimed at IN the acquisition Of Lou
sana. But that acquisition necessarily
brought territory along with it, and three
states now exist, formed out Of that an
cient province.
A similar policy, and similar necessity,
though perhaps not entirely so urgent, led
to the acquisition Of Florida.
Now, no such policy, requires the an.
nexa,ion of Texas. The accession ofTex
as 10 our Territory is not necessary to the
full and complete cnjoymcn, of all which
we already possess. Her case therefore
stands entirely different from that of Louis
lana and Florida. There being then no
necessity for extending the limits Of The
union, in that direction, we ought, | think,
for numerous and powerful reasons, TO be
content with our present boundaries.
Gentlemen, we all see, that by whomso.
ever possessed, Texas is likely to be q
slave.holding country; and frankly ovow
my entire unwiingness to do any thing
which sha Il extend the slavery Of the AtrI-
can race on this continent, or add other
s'ave-holding states to the union. When
| say that | regard slavery in ltseI! as a
great moral, social, and political evil, !
only use language which has been adopted
by distinguished men themselves citizens
Of slave holding states. shall do nothing
therefore, to favor or encourage its further
extension. We have slavery already
among US. The constitution found it
among u.s. it recognized it, and gave it
solemn guarantees. To the full extent of
these guarantees we are all bound in honor,
injustice, and by the contribution All the
stpulations contained IN the constitution,
in favor Of the slave. holding states which
are already 10 the union, ought to be full
filed, in the fitness Of their spirit, and
| to the exactness of their letter. Slavery,
as it exists in the states, is beyond the
reach Of Congress. 1t is concern Of
the states themselves; they have never
submitted it to Congress, and Congress,
has no righ,Iul power over it. shall con-
cur. therefore, in no act no measure, no
menace, no indication Of purpose, which
shall interfere, or threaten II interfere,
with the exclusive authority of the sever
al states over the subject Of slavery, as it
exists within their respective limits. All
this appears to me to be matter Of plain
and imperative duty.
But when we come to speak of admit
ting new states, The subject assumes an
entirely different aspect. Our rights and
our duties are then both different.
The free states, and oil the states, are
then at liberty to accept. When it is
proposed to bring new members into this
political partnership, the old members
have n right 10 say on what terms such
new members are to come in and what
they are to bring along with them III
my opinion the people of the United States
viii not consent TO bring new, vastly
extensive, and slave holding country, large
enough tor bali a dozen or a dozen States
into the Union. In my opinion they ough,
not to consent to It. Indeed I am alto
gcthcr at a loss to conceive, what possible
benefit any part Of tins country can OK
pcct to derive from such annexation, Al
benefit, TO any part, is at last doubtful and
uncertain; the objections obvious, plain
and strong. On the general question o
slavery, great portion Of the communt!
is already strongly excited. The subjcc
has not only attracted attention as a qucs
of politics, but it has struck far deepe
toned chord. 1t has arrested the rCli
glous feelings Of the country: it has takeI
strong hold 90 the conscl cnces Of men, lit
is rash man. indeed, little convcrsan
with human nature, and especially has he
a vcrvcrrnneous estimate Of the character
of the people of this country, who suppose
that feeling Of this kind is to be trInct
with, or despscd. It will assuredly cause
itself to be respected, |, may be reasoned
with, 1t may be made willing, believe i
is entirely willing to fulfill all existing en-
gagements, and all existing duties to up
hold and defend the constitution, ns it i
established, with whatever regrets abnu
some provisions, which 1t does actually
contain. But to coercc it into silence, -tC
cndcavor to retain its free expression, tC
seek 20 compress and confine it, warm al
1t is, and more heated as such cndeavor:
would inevitably render lt,-should all this
be attempted, know nothing even in The
constitution. or in the Union itself, whicI
would not be endangered by the explosion
winch might follow.
| see therefore, no political neces
sly for the annexation of Texas TO thu
Union; no advantages to be derived from
of strong, and IN my judgment, declslv
character.
believe it will be for the interest AM
happiness of whole Union, to remain as
l., without dimlnution and without add
ton. Ito be continued
| IMpnRTANT VFRDICT A caso of som,