The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-05-24
", we have in this address confined our


Gates of annexation distinctly place It upon
that ground. Most Of the specious argu-
ments and reasons in favor of annexation
with which its advocates attempt 10 gild the
pill for Northern palates, are just about as
sincere and substantial as were those OF Mr.
Wise in the speech above referred TO, in
which he labored a long time TO convince
Northern philanthropists that they would
best promote The objects they had in view by
favoring annexation. that they might have
slavery in Texas within the power and con-
troll of our own Government. thai they might
abolish or mitigate its evils, he himself be-
ing an advocate of perpetual slavery, and
among the very Foremost 10 trample upon
the right Of petition itself!
None can be so blind now as not to know
that the real design and object of the South
is 10 "ADD NEW WEIGHT To HER END OF THE
LEVER" 1t was upon that ground that Mr..
Webster placsd his spposition in his speech
on that subject in New York in March,
1887. In that speech, after stating that he
saw insu-monniabls objections to the annex
alton of Texas; that the purchase Of Louis
lana and Florida furnished no precedent for
it that the cases were no. parallel, and that
no such policy or necessity as led 10 That
required the annexation of Texas, he said
''Gentlemen, we all see that, by whomso-
ever possessed, Texas is likely 10 be
slaveholding country; and frankly avow
my entire unwiingness to do any Thing
which shall extend the slavery of thu Afri.
can race on this continei, or add other slave.
holding States to the Union. When | say
that regard slavery in itself a great moral,
social and political evil. only Use language
which has beon adopted by distinguished
! men, themselves citizens of slavehodiDg
States. | shall do nothing, therefore, 10 ia
vor or encourage its further 9xtehiion."
And again, he said
I'm my opinion, the people of the United
States will not consent to hiring new, vast.
| ly extensive, and slaveholding country large
enough for half dozen or a dozen States.
into the Union. In MY OPINION THEY
OUGHT NOT To CONSENT To 1T. Indeed, ! am
| altogether at a loss 10 conceive what posi-.
BILE benefit any part Of this country can ex-
| pect 10 derive from such annexation. All
benefit, TO any part, is at least doubtful and
uncertain the objections obvious, plain and
strong. On the general question of slaves
ry. great portion of the community is al.
ready strongly excited. The subject has
moi only attracted the religious feeling of
the country; it has taken strong hold on the
conscicnces Of men. He is rash man, in
deed, and little conversant with human na-
iure, and especially has he very erroneous
estimate of the character of the people of
this country, who suppose that feeling of
this kind is 10 be trifled with or despi.ed. 1t
will assuredy cause itself to be respected"
In conclusion, he said:
Il see, therefore. no political nece ssity for
the annexation of Texas to the Union no
advantages 10 be derived from it and ob
jcctions to ii Of strong. and in my judy.
ment, decisive character.
believe il 10 be for the interest and hap>
piness Of the whole Union TO remain s il is.
without diminution and without addition"
We holf that there is not only " no polit.
ical necessity for it, no advantages TO be
derived from IT," q p, that there is no consti.
tu,ional power delegated to any department
If the National Government 10 authorize II:
that no act Of Congress or treaty for annex
alton can impose the least obligation upon
tie several States of this Union to submit
such an unwarrantabe act. or to receive
into their family and fraternity such ,misbe-
gotten and Legitimate progency
We hesitate not 10 say that annexation,
effected by any act or proceeding of the
Federal Government, or any of its Depart.
ments, WOULD BE IDENTICAL WITH DissoLU-
TON. 1t would be a violation of our nation.
al compact. its objects designs, and the great
elementary principles which entered into
its formation, ola character so deep and fun.
damental, and would be an attempt to eter.
nize and institution and power of nature
so unjust in themselves, so injurious 10 the
interests and a5horrent TO the feelings of the
people of The free states, as in our opinion,
not only inevitably 10 result in dissolution
of the Union, but fully 10 justify i, ; and we
not only assert the people of the free States
ought not TO submit TO it," but we saw, with
confidence, they would not submit to it.
We know their present temper and spiri,
on this subject 100 well TO believe for mo-
ment that they would become particeps Grim.
iniS in any such subtle continuance for the
irrrmedidbIe perpefuation of AN INSTITUTION
which the wisest and best men who formed
our Federal Constitution, as well from the
slave as the free States, regarded as an eril
and a curse, soon 10 become extinct under
the operation of laws to be passed prohibit
ing the slave trade, and the progressive in.
fuence OF the principles of the Revolution.
To prevent the success of this nefarous
project-to preserve from such gross viola
ton the Constitution OF our country. adopted
expressly "to secure the blessings of liber
ty' and not the perpetualion of slavery-and
10 prevent the speedy and violent dissolution
Of the Union We invite you 10 unite. without
distinction of party, in un immediate ex.
preston of your views on this subject, in
| such manner as you may deem best calcu.
lated 10 answer the end proposed.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
JOHN MATTOCKS,
SETH NJ. GATES,
WILLIAM SLADE,
WILLIAM B. CALHOUN,