The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1844-10-31

where between the line OF Mason g. Dixie
and isthmus of D1rien, is a vision of fame
as baseless as the fabric of a dream.-
Nothing in the past will justify us in be
ievIng it can ever become reality.
10 attempt for any purpose, a transfer
nation OF the present, into the new unor
= which annexation would create, would bt
an insullerable invasion Of our rights
but to attempt it for the purpose of sus.
tanning slavery, and subjecting the tenant
OF these mountains to its prolonged powers
: is to be thought Of with no dream of sub
mission TO it for an hour. Upon the con-
sumption OF the threatened measure, do no,
hesitate to say that ii would be the duty Of
Vermont to declare her unallerable deter
mlnatlon to have no connection with the
new union, thus formed without her con-
sent, and against her will. To carry ont
tins determination would not be 10 dissolve
the union, but to refuse to submit TO its
dlssoution,-no to nuli!y, but to resist
notification.
do not uudervalue the Union. great
ly value, and would perserve it. But it
is the union of which the present constitu.
ton Is the bond. If the question were
properly submitted to Vermont whether she
wonld come into new union, she would
deliberate upon 1t; hut the question whe,h-
er we will submit to be forced into it, I'M
der pretence Of power to do so which
does not exist, is not to be debated Tor
moment, any more than we would de-
bate the question Of submission 10 4 for,
eign yoke.
But why, after all, should annexation be
desired by any body! What conceivable
motive is there for it, having reference to
the good of the whole country How is
it to benefit the Union? Who can assure
US, indeed, Of the capacity of our Union to
resist the strong tendencies to dissolution,
of such an acquistion!-What wise and
prudent statesman will be willing to haz.
ard such an experiment upon this Unlon'
Wiser and better is it to endeavor to
strengthen and consolidate it upon its
present bass-to get rid, as soon as can
be properly and rghtiully done. of every
thing that will endanger it and especially
of that greatest of all sources of danger, the
institution of slavery--and thus having laid
aside every weight, to run the race Of free
dom and philanthropy and solid glory
which is set before US.
The relation Of Slavery TO the conreder-
acy, the evident danger from existence of
such an element in our Union, and the in
creaslng excitement in regard to it, sug-
gest few additional remarks upon that
subject.
The question of slavery is among the
greatest that can occupy the mind
Of the nation. The true position in
which it was left by the Consti,u,ion-the
expectation Of the country in regard to its
hen future condition-the history of its
subsequent encroachments, and its rrecon-
ciable hostility to freedom, are matters
which must and will occupy the public al.
enlion. The morldi is moving on the SUBJ
ect and the progress which has been
made within the last quarter ola century,
n the work of human emancipation, has
materially changed the aspect Of the whole
question. To attempt to put down aboli-
ion is vain. The statesman OF this nation
must look the question in the face. 1t is
lot one Of mere philanthropy, but has 9TH
n bearings Slavery is an element Of po-
iiica power; and how long, and to what
Ment, it shall be suffered TO control tho
'olicy and mould the destiny Of this ma
ion, is question whose consideration
annot be postponed indefinitely,
What direction shall be given to the
trong aud growing feeling on this subject,
mong the most important questions that
an occupy the minds Of our slaesman.--
there are evidently grea, dangers to be
ncountcred. 1.-THE purpose Of the Faith
rs had been carried out, and slavery had
radually yielded and given place TO the
lsttulons Of freedom, this crises would
ct have been thrown upon the country.
tut the contrary policy has prevailed -
lavery has planted itself new felds-has
ruggIed for asccndency, and maintained
, and has finally come to take the ground
IA, it must be lostered and cherished, and
ytended, so as to be able to maintain its
alance as an element of power in the L.
ion. What is to be the character and is
lie Of the conflict which the growing spir-
of freedom is to have with slavery, thus
ruggIng to maintain lis ascendency, is
neslion of fearful interest The preten-
ons and encroachments of the slave pow
r. and especially the attempt to strength
q it by the annexation of Texas, have
attributed TO give character of deep and
.spcrate earnestness to abolition move
ents threatening to draw every other
iestion of morals aud politics within
leir vortex.
The true ground is not upon either Of
eSe extremes. But neither is it The ground
Indifference. That will work no deIiy-
ence either from the evils of slavery, or
an over heated aud hcadong zeal for its
,olition. No attempt should be made to
Ippress the mighty impulses Of this ape
wards universal emancipation None
i'll be successful Rather should it be
II effort to guide them rightly and safely
Cold apathy and bitter zeal should alike
i've place to a calm, steady, patient, per-
yering effort to reach the seat of the evil