The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-07-27
From the Richmond Wing.
TEXAS AND SLAVERY.


We give place willingly to long, an
mated article on the subject of Texas an
slavery, subject destined to occupy muc
of the public mind, and TO awaken, pos
. slb!y, the most excited passions.
But the reasoning of the author, spe
cious as it is, does not reach our convic
lions. We care not who, whether British
phlIanthropists, or American fanatics, O.
both, are operating in Texas, and procur
Ing the result OF the eradication of slave
ry, which we believe about to eusue. We
care not whether she is to continue slave.
holding,or to be made by British abolition
! influence, non-slavehoIdlng In either case
we are opposed TO her annexation to this
country on constitutional grounds, and
grounds Of safety and self defense to those
who now form the Union.
We lay down this proposition with the
utmost confidence, that it is conforming 10
human nature, and that the event will
verify it--U SlaUery IS pe1peluafed IN
Teas, the North will disSoLcc the Union,
6etore u aojU consent 10 tie annexation.
II s5aOery is abolished, as qce feel conf.
dent u wiII be, then Tie South wtU dissotce
Tie Union, rather than submit to such an
overwhelming acquisition of strength to
the non-saveholding interest in the leder-
al government!
The horns Of the dilemma are equally
fatal. There is only one way to escape
thus most menacing danger. and that is, to
leave Texas to herself; and if we could
have any Influence with our countrymen,
It should oe devoted to beseech them to
dismiss, now and forever, the thought OF
Incorporating her with this Union I! She
is an empire 10 territory-as large as Vr-
ginia, Pennsylvania and Newly ork unit
ed -- with most delicious climate, and
gloriously fertle-abIe TO support a pop
nla'ion Of thirty millions, and to defend
her liberties against world at arms.
Let her take her own stand against the
nations of the earth, in any form, and with
what institution she p!eases but let her
not sink this Union, and the splendid ex-
pertinent it is making for the promotion
and happiness of the world Let all the
advantages of our alliance, our friendship,
and our trade be hers community OF
intercourse, of a common parentage, and
common principles; but let US consider
this Union as something too sacred 10 be
flsked by the indefinite expansion of ter
rltory, and incorporation of incongruous
elements.
For ourselves, we regard the nnnexa-
ton of Texas as so fraught with disaster
10 this country, that we had rather the
American people bad TO encouater, i'll
hostile conflict, Bonaparte and the army
of Italy The last would be temporary
and vanquishable evil The first would
be one whose unhappy effects no sagacity
could foresee, no wisdom guard against, !
and no valor repel. 1t would literally be
on vast ocean of experiment,
without rudder to steer by, or a compass
to ascertain your position.
We have country enough, and too much.
Our patriotic affections are already difus-
ed over too wide suffice. Sparta had
not territory as large as the county of
Abemarle Nor Athens larger than the
notorious county Of Madison. Yet these
two little States, by intellectual superiority
and discipline, not merely held the world
in awe, but are transmitted to all posterily
as the brightest examples of what man
can achieve when he is free and enight
ened
Let England, if she can, establish
influence in Texas. AS friends
of the human -ace, we do not object to it. (
She can not so much advance our interest, |
as by comforting upon Texas the love Of
justice, of law, alr1 liberty, which so pre-
distinguish Great Britain.