The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-09-16
from Waterman Extra, September 3d.
Base Fraud!
ELECTROMAGNETIC LETTER FL ON MIR
CLAW

Inv
against the Wings, just on the eve of today's cleo
ton BY a most miserable and deceptive piece Of
gabng it has been represented from this letter, that
Ar Clay is in fauor of annexation.just like Polk
The facts that in n letter TO citizens of Alabama
dated July az, Mr. Clay reiterated, with little more
particularly, tho sentiments expressed in his 1nsca'
loosa letter, which published in our paper of Aug
o, and still more strongly confirms his declaration, in
his first Ralegh) letter, against Annexation, unless
ills bv he common consent Of The Stdtes lie goes
ON further in reference to his personal feelings,
and SAYS hat'so far from hn wing any personal obiec-
lion TO the annexation Of Texas, should bO glad to
seo it-toiilout dishoaor, icitaom ooar WITH THE
COMMON CONSENT OF TIE UNION, and upon
lust and fair terms" And in conclusion, if to re-
move all doubt he says that f elected President, and
the question occurs, he should be governed by tho
snte Of fact and opinion then existing, and 'a6ore all
should be governed Blythe PARAMOUNT DUTY
OF PRESERVING THE UNION ENTIRE, AND
IN HARMONY, regarding 1t MS | do the great
guaranty Of every political and public blessing, under
Providence, which a free people we are permitted
10 enjoy"
This statement has been outrageously garbed by
Iearing out all The conditions which Mr. Clay requires
before he can assent TO this moasure!!!
Be not deceived Mr. Clay never can assent to an
ncxuton so long as even Vermont alone forLids the
bans while if he is defeated we shall have immediate
annexation, Nth dishonor and rar, anil in dcinec
ofMe rights of The states.
Thus far our extra. We now add few more
marks.
The sheet anchor Of tho opponents Of annexation is
this doctrine viz N,as aew territory can be adj
aaiHcd 10 The Union WITHOUT TIE CONSENT
OF THE SEVERAL STATES other objections
go only to the erpediGncy Of the measure, but this
goes to the root of the matter; aud long state
holds out, it is fatal barrier to annexation. Now
this was Mr. Clay's doctrine in the Raleigh letter, aud
in the Tuscaloosa letter; ard the question is, has he
Jorsaken that ground ao,o? Most assuredly he has
got. On the other hand he has confirmed and
strengthened it in the most explicit manner.
''Several States had declared through their egs-
iaturcs against it, &c. This the opposition to
the measure to WHICH, in my Raleigh letter fOl|udod,
when spoke of n considerable and respectable por-
ton Of the conrederacy' did notrerer to persons
but to States or soctions'' MNSSg gbis letter thus
confirms the passage in the Raleigh 1sa6r, in which
he said.-
81 do NOT think that Texas ought to be received
into the Union, integral part Of it, in decided
opposition to The Wishes of considerable and respcc
table portion ofthe confcderacy." Is
But great stress is laid uponthe nvowsfsof Mr. Clay
ihat ho would be personally glad to annexation
on certain conditions What are these conditions,
all of which essential to his assent p?
Mark them "U'ihom dtshonor, cHhom par,
WITH THE COMMON CONSENT OF
THE UNION, and upon Just ind fair terms"
Massachusetts, Vermont s. Oho-the absolute neccssi
ty Of The common consent Of the States, Yea more: to
ensure his appreciation, annexation come in
with ether conditions honoablv, peaceably, Justly
and fairly,--all combined, such indeed as might
reconcile every portion Of the Union the measure.
How unlike the position of Mr. Polk, Benton, who
would force the measure IMMEDIATELY ind
in utter disregard Of the rights Of The States, by
bare party majority. Really, in this declaration of
Mr. Clay possibility of annexation under
his administration, to say the least. Mexico must
be reconcied to avoid war and dshonor; every sec
ton Of the Union must be reconced to
consent; the slave question be satisfactorily
settled to the North; and If is settled,
apprehend the south would then oppose annexation
MS bitterly does the North now; and thus would
the scheme utterly fail.
To this slavery question Mr. Clay gives it his
opinion that it ought not to affect annexation, This
alters not the facts, the notorious facts that the slave
ocracy want Texas TO sustain slavery, while Of the
North for the very reason, do not want it, The
opinion, upon which this declaration of Mr. Clay is
based viz, that annexation will neither retard nor
hasten thefna extinction orsavery by the fixed laws
of population, docs alter this state of facts nor
does 1t in fact meet the objections which tho oppo-
nents of annexation urge. They object, first, to be-
coming responsible for single inch of new slave terri
tory, single additional slave by taking Texas ;and
second, that this addition would give prcponder-
ance the slave states in the union and thus pcrpe
nate slavery-not by retarding the period when it
must necessarily cease, but by proping up the sys-
tenn and nursing it to the longest possible period of
existence. These objections Mr. Clay does not deny;
his speculative opinions do not meet them. And what
il: they did We yet to learn that even his opn-
ions law either his personal or political friends
We are not bound by them: while he stands forth
pledged against annexation long it is against tho
consent of the States while he is for Protcc-
ton and the other Wing measures which wo believe
"A