The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-05-16

towards US, IL Is, IN general, desirable mat
his future course should not be embarrass-
ed by assurances given at period when
no safe opinion could be formed OF what
that Conduct would be. La respect even
10 motives of domestic character, it could
scarcey be deemed consistent with that
prudence and calm discretion which, in
public as well as private affairs, is ofsuch
lnestimable value, 10 bind ourselves in ad-
vance in respect to the particular line OF
conduct We will hereafter adopt in case
of such magnitude as the present.
When the period for defnitive action
shall have arrived, the considerations now
taken into view may have lost the weigh
they at present possess in the estimation
OF the public; and others, not now re-
garded as of any value, may, IN The mean
time, arise TO affect materially, if hot to
change, The whole aspect of the subject. -
The present condition of the relations be-
tween Mexico and Texas may soon be so
far changed as to weaken, and perhaps TO
obviate entirely, the objections against the
immediate annexation of the latter to the
United States, which have here set forth,
and TO place the question on different
grounds. Should such state Of things
arise, aud | be found 10 charge Of the Re.
sponsbIe duties of President, you may be
assured that | would meet the question, If
then presented 10 me, with a sincere de-
sire 10 promote the result which | believed
best calculated TO advance the permanent
welfare of the whole country. In the
discharge of this, the common duty OF all
our public funcllonaries, | would not al
low myself TO be Influenced by local or
sectional feeling. | am not, need hard
Iy say TO you, an unlrled man in respect
to my disposition or ability to disregard
any feeling of that character in the dis
charge of official duties. You, as well
as all others, have therefore al least some
grounds on which to form an opinion as
TO the probable fidelity with which these
assurances would be observed,
shall add few words on another as
pecl OF the question, and then dismiss the
subj ct. Mexico may carry her persist
ence In refusing 10 acknowledge the indie
peudence of Texas, and in destructive but
truItIeSs Efforts to re-conquer that State,
so far as to produce, 10 connection with
Other circumstances, a decided conviction
on the part of a majority OF the people of
the United States, that the permanent! well
fare, if not absolute safety Of all, make it
necessary tina: the proposed annexation
should be effected, be the consequences
what they may. The question may be
asked, what, under such circumstances
would be the use you would make of the
executive power, if intrused to your
hands? Would it be welded 10 defeat,
or to carry into effect the ascertainsd
wishes Of our people? My reply to such
supposition is, that can conceive OF no
public questions, in respect to which it Is
more eminent y proper that the opinions
and wishes Of the people Of the different
States should be Consulted, and being as.
cetained, treated with greater respect than
those " hich relate either TO the admission
Of new member inc the conlederacy, OF
the acquisition of additional territory, witt
view 10 such a result and that, if any
application for annexation, under such
circumstances, were made TO me, | would
fee it 10 be my duty to submit the same
TO Congress for public expression Of
their opinion, as well upon the propriety
of annexation, as in regard to the terms
upon which it should take place. II, af
ter the whole subject had been brought
before The country, aud fully discussed, as
1t now will be, the Senate and House oil
Representatives. large portion of the
former, and the whole Of the later having
been chosen by the peopl after the ques-
lion OF annexation had beer brought be.
fore the country for its mature consIdera-
tion-shoud express an opinion In favor
of annexation, | would hold it to be my
farther duty 10 employ the Executive
power to call into full and fair effect the
wishes of ma ority OF the people OF the
existing States, thus constitullonalIY and
solemny expressed.
Thee may, Notwithstanding, be those
on both sides of this great question, who
are unwilling to confer their SURFACES on
one who Is not prepared TO give them spe-
cine pledges IN regard to the course he
would, if elected, pursue in respect to the
various aspects in which this matter may
hereafter be presented. To all such
have only to say, and | do so with the great
est sincerity that | have not the slightest
disposition 10 question their right so 10
regulate their conduct, and will be the
last TO complain of its exercise. If there
be any one who they believe can be more
safely intrusted with their interest in this
or any other Oft the great questions Of pub
lie policy which are likely to arise in the
administration Of the government, or whose
assurances as to his future course are
more satisfactory to them, they will, with
out doubl, be well warranted in giving
him the preference; and they may be as