Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-05-19

unwiIlingness to do anything which shall ex-
tend the slavery of the African race on this
continent, or add other slaveholding States to
the Union. When, ! say that regard slave
ry IN itself great moial, social aud political
evil, only use language which has been adopt
ed by distinguished men, themselves citizens
of slaveholdng States ! shall do nothing,
therefore, to favor or encourage its further cx-
tension"
And again, he said ;
ain nv opinion the people Of the United
States will not consent TO bring new, vastly
extensive, and slaveholding country, large e.
nough for half dozen States, into the Union.
In my opinion they ought not 10 consent TO al.
Indeed, | am altogether at q loss to conceive
what possible benefit any part Of this country
can expect TO 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 slavery
great portion of the community is already
strongly excited. The subject has not only
attracted attention ms question Of politics,
but it has struck far deeper-toned cord. II
has arrested the religions feeling OF The country,
it has taken a strong hold on the consclcnces
of men. He is rash man, indeed, and little
convcrsant with human nature, and especially
has he very erroneous estimate Of the char
acter Of the people Of this country, who sup
poses that a feeling of this kind is TO be trihed
with or despised. II will assuredly cause it,
self TO be respected"
In conclusion he said
81 see, therefore. no political necessity for
the annexation of Texas TO the Union no
advantages to be derived from it; aud objec-
tions to it Of n strong, and, in my judgment,
decisive character.
81 believe it TO be for the interest and happi-
ness of the whole Union to remain as il is,
without diminuion and without addition"
We hold that there is not only "no political
necessity" for it, "no advantages to be derived
from it, but that there is no constitutional
power delegated 10 any department of the Ma
tional Government to authorize il: that no
act Of Congress or treaty for annexation can
impose the least obligation upon the several
States Of this Union to submit TO such an un-
warranabe act, or to receive into their family
and fraternity such missbcgOlten and Hegiit-
mate progaey.
We hesitate not to say that annexation, ef-
iected By any act OF proceeding Of the Federal
Government, or any Gifts Departments, tcouid
be Identical tciih dissolution. ii would be
violation Of our national compact its objects
designs, and the great elementary principles
which entered into its formation, Of charac-
ter so deep and fundamental and would be an
attempt to eterHize an institution and power,
Of nature so unjust in themselves, so injurious
to the interests and abhorrcnt to The feelings OF
the people OF the free States, as, in our opin-
ion, not only inevitably 10 result in dissolu-
ton of the Union, but fully to justify "a; and
we not only assert that the people Of the free
States Fought not TO submit IN - but we
say, with confidence, they could not subnitiO
a. We know their present temper and spirit
on this subject too well to believe for mo-
ment that they would become pariieePs Grim
fnis in any such subtle continuance Tor the ir-
remedisbte preparation Of da institution
which the wisest and best men who formed
our Federal Constitution, as well from the slave
as the free States, regarded as an erii and a
curse, soon TO become extinct under the ope-
ration of laws to be passed prohibiting the
slave trade, and the progressive influence OF
the principles of the Revolution.
To prevent the success of this neiaTiouS pro-
ieetlo preserve from such gross violation the
Constitution of our country, adopted expressly
so secure the blessings Of liberty" and not
the perpeiuation ofsavery-and TO prevent the
speedy and violent dissolution of The Union,
we invite you TO unite, without distinction Of
party, in an immediate expression of your
views on this subject, in such manner as you
may deem best calculated to answer the end
/ proposed