The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-02-05


TO keep slavery from Clicking the beam"--to save
the Constitution TO preserve the Union from T""-
;.brg into thin oir!'' Freedom may, "unchecked,
preod beyond the Rocky Moun'a'ns;' ana therefore,
SLAVERY mnst be permitted to cross the Sabine, and
move onward to the Pacific Ocean!
But 1 forbear, and proceed to another, and later
evidence Of the continued um of nnnexpton, and the
motive by which il is guided and governed 1t Is The
letter of Gov Gmer TO which have already referred
dated at Washington on the 10Th OF January, ls43
The importance of the letter OF Gov Gilmer as well
as tho speech of Mr. Wise,s enhanced by their well
known relation TO the administration, as well as by
their general standing as Southern men, The letter
was written to private individual, who,acccrd'ne 10
the annunciation Of the Baltimore Republican, npub
fishing t,rogarded it placing the policy OF the annex
alton of Texas to tho United States in re'y striking
and imposing point Of Uiew,'' & therefore commun'
Gated with the leave Of Gov Gilme FOR publication.
few extracts will suffice TO show its character. On
the subject of strengthening the slave power,it IL less
bold than Mr. Wise. 1t was evidently written for
publication, and sugars over the deadly dose, in
manner to make it as inofiensve possible to the
people of the North.
"You ask :" saws the letter, 'ff have expressed
the opinion that Texas would be annexed TO the Uni
ted States | answer, yes; and this opinion has not
been adopted without reflection or without careful
observation of causes which, believe, nre rapidly
bringing about this result. do not know how far
these causes have made the same impression ON 9th
crs; but am persuaded that the time is not distant
when they will be felt in all their force. The ex-
element which you npprehend, may arise; but 1t
will he temporary, and, in the end sautary."
81 assume what no one will deny, that, under the
Jurisdiction Of the United States the large and unu-
sualIy fertile territory Of Texas will be rapidly peo-
pled and that an immense accession will be made TO
our strength and productive energies [ihe strength
and productive energies Of sidrery!1 The settle
men of Texns under these auspices will open mar
ket at home for tho manufactures, and agricultural
products of all the non. saveholdng Stntes-a market
which, otherwise, can only avail them, under the re-
striclons and Disadvantages Of foreign competition-
The means of supply for those States will DC ncreas
ed in the same manner"
How ready is Mr. Gilmer to urge the great argu-
mcnt for the protective policy, when it can he used
10 favor the protect and extension Of Siarery The
annexation of Tcxas will "open home market for
the manufactures and agricultural products of the
non.s slave holding Slates" And here is the bait that
is 10 be hrorn out 10 Northern cupiiityi A home
market for manufacturers" And how much does
this anti tariff nullier for the encouragement and
protection of the manufactures of the non-slave-
holding States - Not stratc, unless it be conncc-
ted with additional security to market for another
species of man uacure Of which he does not speak
that manufacture, the price Of which it asser-
ted as have shown in the Virginia Legislature,
eleven years ago, would be raised fifty per cent upon
the acquisition Of Texas 1t IS true the Constitution
orTexas gives to the slave breeding States Of this
Union a monopoly of market for this kind of man
ufac,ure; but annexation, alone, give permanent
security to this monopoly.
"But e." continues Gov Glrner, "you anticipate OBJ
ieclions with regard to the bect of slavery. This
is indeed subject Of extreme delicacy, but it is
one on which the annexation of Texas will have the
most salutary influence. Some have thought that
the proposition would endnnger our Uuion. ] am of
a different opinion. | believe it will bring about
better understanding of our relative rights and ohga-
tions. Slavery is Of those subj ects which the
people of the slave holding States content 10 leave
where the Constitution Of our Union left it, They
ask for no new concessions to their rights guaranteed
by that instrument"
The Constitution of the7 Union, Gov Gmer ought
TO know, left slavery to live long as could, and
10 die, it must in the original States Of this Union.
But there the friends Of annexation not content'
10 leave it.; but would extend il 'the large and
unusually fertile territory Of Texas and then ndd
the extension this already slave ridden Union. And
this asking emo concessions to their rights guar
antsed by the Constitution!
would gladly make further extracts from this let
tor; and indeed give it entire, must forbear.
II is artful attempt to give to annexation the char
acter Of a national measure-mpor,ant, even, to
give pcruarence to the Union!--It may be regarded
as sample of the manner in which the North is to
be addressed to secure its support to the measure.
To be Continued.