Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-05-17

judgment of an impartial and enlightened
worldl
Assuming that the annexation Of Texas is
war with Mexico, is it competen, TO the trea-
ty-making power to plunge this country in
to war, not only without the concurrence
Of, but without deignng TO consult Con-
gress, to which, by the Constitution, be-
longs exclusively the power Of declaring war
| have hitherto considered the question
upon the supposition that the annexation is
attempted without the assent of Mexico
II she yields her consent, that would mate
rally affect the foreign aspect of the qnes-
ton, if it did not remove all foreign diff
cultes. On the assumption Of that assent,
the question would be confined to the do
nestle considerations which belong to it,
embracing the terms and conditions upon
which annexation is proposed / do not
think that Texas ought to be received into
the Union, as an integral part or it, in de-
clded opposition to the wishes of a consid-
cradle and respectable portion IF the Con
! federacy. i think it far more wise and i'm
portant to compose and harmonize the pres
ent Conlederacy, as it now exists, than to
introduce new element of dscord and dis
traction into it. In my humble opinion, it
should be the constant and earnest endeav-
or of American statesmen TO eradicate pref
udices, TO cultivate and foster concord, and
to produce general contentment among all
parts of our Coniederacy. And true wis
dom, it seems to me, points to the duty of
rendering It's present members happy, pros
porous, and satisfied with each other rather
than to attempt to introduce alien members,
against the common consent and with the
certainty of deep dissatisfaction. Mr. JEFF
ferson expressed the opinion, and others be-
lleved, that it never was in the contempa-
ton Of the trainers of the Constitution to
add foreign territory 10 the Conlederacy,
out Of which new States were to be formed.
The acquisitions of Louisiana and Florida
may be defended upon the peculiar ground
of the relation in which they stood to the
: Union. After they were admitted, we might
well pause awhile, people our vast wastes.
: develope our resources. prepare the means
of defending what we possess, and augment
our strength, power, aud greatness. If here
, after further territory should be wanted for
f an increased population. we need entertain
: no apprehensons but that it viii be acqnir-
ed by means, it is to be hoped, fair, honor
; able, and constitutional.
1t is useless TO disguise that there are
those who espouse and those who oppose
! the annexation of Texas upon the ground
: of the influence which il would exert, in the
D balance of political power, between two
: great sections of the Union. | conceive
!, that no motive for the acquisition of for
: eign territory would be more unfortunate
c or pregnant with more fatal consequences
thor, ,nt Of oh ~
it strengthening one part against another par
+, of the common Conlederacy. Such a prn
d ciple, put into practical operation, woult
1t menace the existence, if it did not certainl,
l. sow the seeds of dissolution Of the Union
!. 1t wonld be to proclaim TO the world an in
o satiabe and unqnenchable thirst for foreigl
e conquest or acquisition Of territory. For
e to-day Texas be acquired to strengthen on
f part of the Confederacy, tomorrow Canad
1t may be acquired TO add strength TO another
l. Aud, after that might have been obtained
y. still another and further acquisitions wou
become necessary to equallze and adjust III
re balance of political power. Finally, in tn
rs progress Of this spirit of universal dominion
y. the part Of the Confederacy which is nov
D. weakest, would find itself still weaker fror
* the impossibiity of securing new theatre
m for those peculiar institutions which it
10 charged with being DESTROYS to extend
r.. But would Texas, ultimately, really ad
J. strength to that which is now considered tn
* weakest part of the Confederacy? If m
Of information be correct, it would not Az
Is cording to that, the territory of Texas
lie susceptible of division into five States {
" convenient size and form OF these, tw
p only would be adapted to those peculiar il
a sti,uions to which have referred. and III
We other three, lying west and north of Sa
ar Antonio, being only adapted TO farming an
at grazing purposes, from the nature of the
er soil, climate and productions, would not az
OF nit of those institutions. In the cad, Their
ne fore, there would be two slave and thre
IN free States probably added to the Union
n If this view of the soil and geography
If Texas be correct, it might serve to dimi'
he ish the zeal both of those who oppose an
1 2 those who are urging annexation.
he Should Texas be annexed to the Unio
es the United States will assume and becOn
ut responsible for the debt of Texas, be
co amount what il may. What it is, do n
IL know certainly but the least have seen
W Stated at is thirteen millions of dollars
nd And this responsibility will exist, wheth
,le there be stipulation in the treaty or N
co expressly assuming the payment of the de
err of Texas. For suppose it TO be undeni
nd BILE that, if one nation becomes incorporate
Sc in another, all the debts, and obligation
of and membranes, and wars of the mcC
ID porated nation, become the debts, and oh
be cations. and membranes, and wars Of 4
ms common nation created by the incorpor
- ton.
ne If any European nation entertains any al
nd bilious designs upon Texas, such as that