The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-10-24
J. F. MCCLELLAN, Printer.

, benefits can ever compensate for the per-
petralion of wrong-the infiction of in T..
justice, under any circumstances whatev~
. er.
But it is attempted 10 obvate the cons
stNulional difficulty, by claiming title 10
Texas as part of the Louisiana purchase,
&calling the proposed measure re-annexa.
ton. In reference to this it is sufficient to
say that by the treaty of 1919 with Spain
after protracted negotiation with regard
10 the southern boundary of Louisiana it
was agreed to fix 1t on the Sabine; that
the yielding OF our disputed claim to Tex,
as entered into The consideration of the ces-
sion to US ofFlorida; and thatlhe line thus
established was subsequently, confirmed
by our Treaty of limits with Mexico
The claim to remuneration, then, is as
Though, upon the possible independence
OF Canada, and treaty with her confirm
ing the boundary established by the trea-
ty of Washington, we should afterwards
claim as our own, the territory ceded by
US in that arrangement, because it was
embraced within our formerly claimed
limits. Who would be willing to hazard
the peace or the honor of the country
upon such claim as this? And yet such
is the claim for re annexation.
But there is another insurmounable
constitutional objection. 1t is found in
the purpose of annexation. That purpose
is to establish and perpetuate slavery
any altempt>to do VIII oh by the General
Government is of itself, MANIFEST viola
ton Of the national compact. For where
is to be found among the powers grant
ed in The constitution, the semblence of
power to establish or perpetuate slavery
any where? With the excep ion of the
provisions for delivering UP fugitives, and
the suppression of insurreciion, and the
three 6fhs slave representation in one
branch of Congress, the constitution cou-
fers on slavery no privilege; and imposes
no duty, and confers no power on cong
ress, looking, in the remotest degree to Its
support. 1t was sla institution before
the constitution was formed, and, SO far
as that constitution is concerned, it re-
mains so still-free to live, fit can, but
certain 10 die without unconstitutional aid
for its support. This aid it is the purpose
Of annexation to afford.
The onward progress of freedom, I'M
der its high impulses, is changing the BAL
ance of power, and leaving slavery to
perish; and now the nation is suddenly
called ON TO come TO its rescue-to save
it from snking-,o intuse into it fresh
lite and vigor, and to prolong, and per-
peluate its power. And this at the expi.
ration of more than half century from
he formation of the constitution, when The
entire nation entertained the belief that
slavery could not survive the first quarter
yf century Of our national existence.
1t is said indeed, teat annexation will
no, have the effect of enlarging and sus-
tanning the power Of slavery. But whoev-
err considers the relation between demand
and supply in The commerce OF the world
will he at no loss to perceive the connec-
ton between the consumption ofhumaneu-
ergy and human life in the enlarged cul-
tivation of Texas annexed, and the ill.,
crease production in our slave breeding
States for the supply of the demand
TIT created. Such was the effect Of the
acquisition of Louisiana. That slavery
is destined, with annexation, to recede
gradually TO the South, until it melts away
and becomes, LOST in mixture of races
somewhere between the line Of Mason &
Dixon and the isthmus of DaIien, is a
vision of fancy as baseess as the fabric
of dream Nothing in the past will JUS
tify US in believing it can ever become d
reality.
To attemTt for any purpose, a trans
formation of the present, into the new
union which annexation would create,
would be an insuferabe invasion of our
rights but 10 attempt it for the purpose
Of sus' aiming slavery, and subjecting the
tenants OF the mountains to its prolonged
power, is to be thought of with no dream
Of submissio 10 it for an hour. Upon
the consumation OF the threatened meas
ure, do not hes tate 10 say that it would
be The duty Of Vermont o declare her I'M
altt rab!e determination to have no connec-
ton with the new union. thus formed with
out her consent, and against her will
TO carry out this determination would
not be 10 dis. olive The union, but to refuse
to submit to its dissolution not to nullify,
but 10 resist notification.
l do not undervalue the union. great
ly value, and would preserve it. But it is
The union ofwhich the present cors itu-
ton is the bond. If the question were
properly submitted TO Vermont whether
she would come into a new Union, We
would deliberate upon it; but the question
whether we will submit TO be forced into
it, under pretence of power 10 do 50
which does not exist is not to be debated
for a moment, any more than we would
debate the ques ion Of submission to for
eign yoke.
But why, after all, should annexation