Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-10-18

provision admitting such a lattade, is incrcdi-
BILE, and it is equally so that il they had such
intention, they should have failed 10 express it,
in language suited TO the grant of a power of
such fearful magnitude as that OF efiecting, by
n simple act of Congress, an essential change
in the relations of the constituent members of
the confederacy and this. too, while Con-
gress is invested with no power TO change even
IA line of the constitution - which can only be
done by the solemn act OF three fourhs of the
states Of this union
Ardent minds may have glowing visions of
greatness, and glory and good to man, in pros.
pect of the boundless exercise of the claimed
power but il is for the sober and thoughtful,
and wise and truly benevolent, to check such
anticipaiions, and chasten such desires, BY sub
hitting them to the restraints of rigid Justice to
the existing members OF the confederacy. No
lancled benefits can ever compensate for the
preparation OF wrong-the inlliction of inius.
tlce, under any circumstances whatever
But il is attempted to obvate the consitu.
tiona difficulty, by claiming title to Texas as
part OF the Louisiana purchase, and calling the
proposed measure remuneration. In reference
TO tas 1t is sufficient TO say that by the Treaty of
1919 with Spain, after proracted negotiation
with regard 10 the Southern boundary of Lou>
lslana. ii was agreed to fix it on the Sabine
that the yielding of our disputed claim to Tex.
as entered into the consideration of the cession
to us of Florida aud that the line thus es,ab.
lished was subsequently confirmed by our
treaty of limits with Mexico. The claim 10
re annexation, then, is as though, upon the
possible Independence of Canada, and a treaty
with her confirming he boundary, established
by the treaty OF Washington, we should after.
wards claim as our own, the territory ceded by
us IN that arrangement, because il was embra.
ccd within our formerly claimed limits. Who
would be willing TO hazard the peace or the
honor oi the country, upon such claim as
this And yet such is the claim for re.annex>
alton.
But there is another insurmountabe consti-
tntional objection. 1t is found for the purpose
OF annexation. That purpose is 10 establish
and rerreiuate sIavery-any attempt 10 do
which by the General Government is, of itself
a manifest violation of the national compact
For where is to be found among the powers
granted in the constitution, the sembance of a
power to establish or perpctuaie slavery, any
where With the exception OF the provisions
Tor delivering up iugltlvcs, and the suppression
of instruction, and the three fiihs slave rep
resentatou in one branch of Congress, the con-
sttution confers on slavery no privilege and
imposes no duty, and confcrs no power on
Congress, looking, in the remotesl degree, to lis
support 1t was state institution before the
constitution was formed and, so far as that
constitution is concerned it remains so still
free to live, if il can but certain to die without
unconstitutional aid for its support That aid
it is in the power of annexation TO affold.
The onward progress of freedom under its
high impulses, is rapidly changing the balance
Of power, and leaving slavery to perish and
now the nation is Suddenly called on to come
10 lis rescue-to save it from nking-to infuse
into i, fresh life and vigor, and to prolong and
perpetuate lis power. And this at the eypira-
ton of moe than half century from the for-
nation of the constitution, when the entire ma
ton entertained the belief that slavery could
not survive the first qnaller of a century OF our
national existence.
1t is said, indeed, that annexation will not have the
eilec, of charging and sustaining the power of sa-
very. But whoever considers the relation between
demand and supply in the commerce Of the world
will be at no loss to perceive the connection bet ween
the consumption Of human energy and human life in
the enlarged cultivation of Texas annexed and the
increased production in our slaye.breedng States fI
the supply of the demand thus crea'en. Such was
the eeot of the acquisition of Louisiana. That sa.
very is destined with annexation, to recelc gradually
TO the South, until II mes away and becomes lost
in mixture of races somewhere between he line oil
Mason & Dixon. and the sthmus of Darien, is Wis
Nothing in the past will Justify us in believing it can
ever become reality.
! To attempt for any purpose, n transformation o.
the present, INTO the new union which annexation
would create would be an insuilrrahie INVASION o
our ulhts but to attempt it for the purpose of sus
taning slavery, and subiecling the tenants Of thesc
mountains to lis prolonged power, is 10 be thought
with no dream Of submission to it for an hour Upor
the contamination OF the threatened measure, dc
not hesitate to say that il would he the duty of Yer
mont 10 declare her nnaerahe determination TO have
no conneXlon with the new union, thus formed with
out her consent. and aga INST her will. To carry on
this determination would not be 10 dissolve the I'm
ion but 10 reiu 10 sabmit TO lis dissolution,-not t.
4 nu.ilty, but 10 resist notification.
q do not undervaue the Union. greatly value
and would preserve ii. But it is the union of which
the present constitution is the bond. II the question
: Were properly submitted To Vermont whether sh
= would come into n new union, would delherai
upon It; but the question whether will submit Il
be forced into il, under pre'cnce of power to do s
which does not exist, Is not 10 he debated for mo
l. mcnf, any more than we would debate the question
of submission to n foreign yoke
But why, after all, should ANNEXATION be desired
any body? What conceivable motive is there for i
: having reference 10 the good of the whole country
IL How is II 10 benefit the Union? Who can assure ~
l. indeed, of the capacity Of our Union 10 resist III
If strong tendencies to dissolution, of such acqns
/. ton! What wise and prudent statesman will he wi
: ling to hazard such an experiment upon this Union
) Wiser and better is it To endravor to strengthen an
e consolidate It upon It's present bas'-to get rld'
q thing that will ondanaer il, and especially OF thu
- greatest Of all sources of danger. the institution
t savery--an1 thus, having laid aside every weight
l. run the race of freedom md philanthropy and sol
Z glory which is set before us.
i The relation OF slavery TO the confederacy
II TIE evident danger fromlhe existence of such "A
&c element to our Union, and the increasing c!
A element in regard 10 it, suggnst few addition
al remarks upon tina, subject
IF The question of slavery is among the grea
Of est that can occupy the mind Of the nalo
The true position in which it was LETT by Il
Or Constituiton-ihe expectation of the country
rs regard to lis then future conditon--the hist
Nd ry OF lis subsequent encroachmenis, and It's
s. reconcllable hostility 10 freedom, are matte
#, which must and will occupy the public attic
It, ton. The WORLD is moving OF the subjec
OF and the progress, which has been made with
as the last quarter Of century. III the work
n human emancipation, has materially change
pit the aspect Of the whole question. To al'em
he to put down abolition is vain. The slalesm
Ell of this nation must look the question IN Il
ST. face. II is one of mere philanthropy, but h
he other bearings Slavery is an element OF |