Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-05-12

sessed, Texas is likely TO be slaveholding country
ard frankly nvow my entire unwingness to do
any thing which shall extend the slavery VI the Afi-
can race on this continent, or add other sla,cho.
ding States to the Union. When say that regard
slavery in itself great moral social and political
evil only use language which has been adopted by
distinguished men, themselves citizens Of saSehoi-
ding States. shall do nothing therefore, TO favor or
encourage its further cStention"
And again, he said:
tin my opinion the people OF the United States
will not consent to bring new, vastly extensive
and slaveholdng county large enough for half
dozen or dozen States, into the Union. In MY
opisroN THEY OUGHT NOT 10 CONSENT TO 1T. In
deed am altogether at loss 10 conceive what pos
shle benefit any part Of this countrycan expect to
derive from such annexation. All benefit, to any
part, 10 at least doubtful and uncertain; the objec.
tons ohvieus plain, and strong. On the general
QUESTION Of slavery, great portion Of the commune
~ is already strongly excited The subject has not
only attracted the religious feeling of the country; il
has taken strong hold on tbe consciences of men,.
'lcis rash man, n' Iced ana little conversant with
human nature, and especially has he very erro.
neous estimate Of the character Of thepeople of this
country who suppose that feeling of this kind is to
be rifed with OF fcspiset. 1t will assurcdly cause
itself TO be respected"
| In conclusion, he said:
see therefore no political necessity for the al.
nexation of Texas to the Union; advantages to
he derived from IT. and oh &C ions to it Of strong
and, in my Judgment, decisive character
believe II to be for the interest and happiness oil
| the whole Union 10 remain us is, without dininu.
| ton and without addition"
We hold tina, there is not only 'no political necessi
tv" for it, "no advantages to he derived from il" bu
that there is no constitutional power delegated to any
department Of the Nalonat Government to author
ize it that no act Of Congress treaty for annexa
ton cal impose the least Obligation upon the
States of this Union to submit to such nnwarran
table act into their family and fraterni,,
such mshcgotten and illegitimac progcncy.
W., haait ia mi IN y n t,pp
| any act or proceeding Of the Federal Government
or any of its Departments, WOULD BE IDENTICAL
WITH DISSOLUTION. 1t would be n violation OF on
national compact its objec Is, designs and the grca
| elementary principles which entered into its forna
ton Of a character so deep and fundamental, ant
| would be an attempt to eernze an institution and
power Of nature 50 UNJUST IN themselves, 80 lnlurinu
to the Interests and auhcrrent the feelings Of tn
people Of the Tree States as in our opinion. not onll
inevitably TO result in dissolution OF the Uniun, bu
fully to jus yi' and We not only assert the the peo
pie Of the free STATES Fought not Ia submit to it,, bu
say, with confidence, they would not submit to II
subject too well TO believe fot a moment that the
would become particcps crimins in any snch subj
conrivancc for the irremeidbte perpetuation OF A.
IxsrfrrTtoS which the wiIrst and best men VIII
formed our Federal Constitution, ms well from tn
slave the free Safes, regarded a. eril and
curse, soon TO become extinct under the operation G
laws to be pissed prohibiting the slave trade and tn
OPPRESSIVE influence of the principles Of the Revolt
ton.
To prevent The success Of this nefarious project
to preserve from such gross violation the Cons
ton Of our country, adopted expressly TO secure tn
blessings of liberty" and no, the perpe,ua,ion
slaverynnd 10 proven, the speedy and violent disso
luton Of the Union, invite You to unite, wi,hor
distinction of party, in an immediate expression
your views this subject, in such manner rs 70
may deem best calculated TO the end proposed
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS,
JOHN MATTOcKS,
SETH NJ. GATES,
WILLIAM SLADE
WILLIAM g. CALHOUN,
JOSHUA r. GtDDtNGS,
SHERLOCK J. ANDRDEWS,
NATHANIEL r. BORDEN,
THOS G.. CHITTENDEN.
CHRISTOPHER MORGAN,
JOSHUA NJ. HOWARD,
VICTORY BIRDSEYE,
:. Inland HALL.
WASHINGTON, MARCH 3, l543.