Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-06-14

dependent government to our.own is as absurd as
it is dangerous. 1t to take the ground, that re-
peated violations of the onstituon-aUritten. too,
as it is--by those soemnly sworn to defend it from
violation, clothe the traitors rghtiully with the
very power Their have usurped. A doctrine more
lcentious and despotical could not be adVanced.@3
OF the acqdlescence ofthe country in the anneXa-
ton of Louisiana and Florida, it quite enough to
say, that it leaves these acquisitions undisturbed,
as parts OF our territory.
The annexation ought to be resisted because we
have territory enough. Surely two millions of
square miles, all within the temperate zone, and
not surpassed Unnatural advantages by any other
country of equal extent ought to relieve us from
any particular uneasness, lest our posterty may
not possess theirdu proportion of this earths SUR
face for very long time to come.
Annexation ought to be resisted, because it is
sought with special view to extending slavery,
and confirming the rule of the slave power in this
country. Although the constitution pretends not
to confer authority to estbsh slavery any where;
and although, under the legitimate sway of the
constitution, the slavery existing in Texas would,
in the event of annexation, cease the moment it
took place Notwithstanding this such is the pre-
dominancy of the slave power in the administration
OF our a1airs in Congress; i'll the udiciary in fine,
in all places of official influence; and such 81 the I'M
tathfulness Of the great ority of the public men
and tunctonaries of the free States to the of
human freedom among us, that we should, beyond
all ,WllHGSS Sllar results from eXaS annex
alton, to those we have seen flowing from Louisa-
ma and Florida annexation. General expressions
in the treaty-as the case in the treaties by
which we acquired Louisiana and Florida--apply
| ing TO PROPERTY, would be construed into GU
aranty of the Shareholders peculiar rights; the cx
plict provision of the constitution which Declares
that no person shall be deprived of Hbertv DithouI
due proc IS Of lar, would be rudey thrust aside
if it could not be dexterousy avoided; the enslaved
of Texas would be detained in bondage: the ensa-
ved too, of the United States would be driven in
to the freshly acquired territory, as sheep into
newly enlarged walk, and the whole ofthatcharm
ing country, so inviting as an abode of liberty
would only become the habitations of cruelty
For, let not the common sense the country be a
gain insulted by the impudent assertion, that the
expansion Of slavery tends to its annihation.-
Think what American slavery would have
been had it been restricted as our constitutional
fathers intended it should be TO the original States;
) and what it now as, in its diffusion over the new
States, Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, Missou-
, ri, Mississippi, Alabama, &Arkansas-and say, if
. the expansion fthe accursed evil is the proper
Q cure? No: when tares begin to disappear in con-
sequence of their wider dissemination over fields
favorable to their growth; when beast Of prey and
S noxous vermin begin to decrease by having am
= pier range and securer hiding places provided for
them then and not till then, may this rontless, this
, impious dogma be true.
Annexation OupHL 10 ne TCSlSlCC UeCduSc IL WOulu
involve US in war that we should feel was base
$ and dshonorabe one on our part What pict-
ure we should present in ourselves to the world =
people, the first to publish in the face Of all
e tons the political equality of man and his inaen-
t able right to liberty as fundamental to ALL just
government, warning for the extension otthe bas-
est system of human degradation that ever afflicted
e man and defed Heaven! And this too, against a
sister republic, led by our example to enter on the
o fearful struggle for independence, and generously
e adopting our principles, whstshc as magnanimuos-
) y abandons our practice! The countrymen of
: Washington, Franklin and Jay, confederate in
:, crme to uphold british system which must dlSap-
d pear before religion and civilization and the gen
:, tier refnemcnts that attend them, can quietly over
+ spread and bless the land In such WARMTH
II the attributes ofGod agaonst us-With the holy an
gels against us-with the just and the good ofevery
= land under heaven against us-With our own con-
l sciences against us-how can we hope for victory,
l. how can we expect any thing but discontinue and
humiliation? DO we forget that,
-. "Thrice is he armed who hath his quarrel just
IS And he but feeble, thoocked up i'll steel,
d Whose conscience with injustice is oppressed"
II Annexation ought to be resisted because of the
u dissensons it will cause among ourselves. The
h present rsing-up ofthe friends of the Constitution
Is and of universal emancipation cannot be suppress
'l ed seriously stayed on its way to accomp
II
s. may protract the conflict, but it will make the is
= sue more terrible. Slavery in all countries, strug
A. Cling for something higher and better in social life
p than they now have, mnstdie in this country, in
to few years. 1t must either consent to die, or i
y must die in the way it has always lived-by VIC
III ence. 1t has taken the sword UNLESS it younta
Ill rily lay it down. it shall perish by the sword.
as it depart not peaceably-aye, and speedily too-ht
le young LIBERTY that is among US will soon grow
III strong enough show his intolerance of the men
ster's longer presence, and demand its extingush
re ment in u way that will seem summary, and by nc
rs means well, to many.
Other objections might be stated against the an
ne neXatlon; such the necessary assumption by u
n ofth public debt Texas, swelled person
~ intelligent Of such matters think to the enormou
ne sum of twenty-f five millions; the squandering O
IS her national domain and the like; but these arr
ne light and superficial compared with others tina
al have already been mentioned Of deeper and boade
,s' foundaton-as affecting our honor and striking
IL the harmony Of our people, and at the root Of ou
II political existence
OF Such, gentlemen, are the reasons which persuad
me as friend of my country, to resist in such wa
as can, the foul project of annexation, aDd to loo
on all those who are completing for its consunl
mation-be they high or low-as virtually enene
to the peace and harmony, the honor and dignt
N. Of the republic
W VII Very respectfully, gentlemen,
Ia Vnnr ohediant snryanf