The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-05-03


neighborng States Of this Usion what she avows TO
be hsI dssiTs to do in all countries where slavery
lists To hazard consequences which would be 30
dangerous to the prosperity and safety of this Union,
without resorting to the most effective TO
prevent them, would be, on the part Of the Federal
Government, an abandonment of tho most solemn,
obig imposed by the guarantee which the Staes
ia adopting The Constitution, entered into to protect
each other against whatever might endangsr their
safety, whether from without or within. Acting in
obedience to his obligation which federal sys
of Government rests, the President directs TO
inform you that treaty has been concluded between
the United States and Texas, tor the ration Of
hesster to the former part of its territory, which
will be submitted without delay to the Senate for its
approval This step has been taken as the most eff
scsual not the only of guarding against the
threatened danger, and securing their permanent
peace and welfare
is well known that Texas has long desired to be
annexed to this Union that her people, at the tme
OF the adoption Of her Constitution, expressed by an
almost unanimous vote, her desire 10 that effect and
that she has never ceased to desire as the most
tam means Of promoting her safety and prosperity
The United States have heretofore declined 10 meet
her wishes, but the time has nov arrived when they
can no longer refuse consistently with their own Sc
curty and peace, and the sacred obligation imposed
by their constitutional compact for mutual defence
and protection. Nor arc they any way responsible
for the circumstances which have imposed this obi.
cation on them. They had no agency in bringing
about the state of things which has terminated in the
separation OF Texas from Mexico. It was the Spa
nish Government and Mexico herself which invited
and offered high Inducements to citizens to colo
nize Texas. That from the diversity of character,
habits religion and political opinions necessarily led
to the separation, without the interference of the
United States in any manner whatever. 1t is true,
the United States at early period, recognised the
independence Of Texas; but, in doing so, it is well
they had acted in conformity with an estab.
lshed principle to recognise the Government de fac
to. They had previously acted on the same princi-
pie in reference to Mexico herself and tho other CO.
vernments which have risen on the former domnions
Of Spain on this continent.
They equally without responsibility for that
state Of things already adverted to the immediate
cause Of imposing them, in self Defence the obi
cation OF adopting the measure they have. They re-
NAMED passive so long the policy the part Of
Great Britain which has led to it's adoption, had no
they conceded to Great Britain the right Of adopting
whatever policy she might deem best, in reference to
the African race within her own possessions, they
on their part, claim the same right for themselves
The policy she has adopted in reference to the por-
ton of that race in her dominions may be humane
and wise but it does not fol- w. if it prove so with
her, that it would be ir reference to the United
States and other con- s, whose situation differs
from hers. But Ter it would be or not it be-
longs to each to judge and determine for ITSELF
with US 1t IS question 10 be decided, not by the
Federal Government, but by each member Of this
Union for ITSELF according to its views of its do
mestic policy, and without any right on the part of
the Federal Government to interfere in any manner
whatever. Its rights and duties are limited 10 pfo-
tecting, under the guarantees of the Constitution
each member of this Union, in whatever policy it
may adopt in reference to the portion within its re-
sPectve limits. A large number of the States has
decided, that is neither wise humane to change
the relation which has existed, from their first settle
ment, between the two races while Others where
the African is less numerous have adopted the oppo-
site policy.
belongs not to the Government to question wheth-
er the former have decided wisely or not: and if
did, the undersigned would not regard this as the
proper occasion to discuss the subject. He does not
however, deem it irrelevant to state that if the expe
rence of more than half century is 10 decide, it
would be neither humane wise in them to change
their policy. The census and other authentic docu-
ments show that IN all instances in which the States
have changed the former relation between the two
races the condit on of the African instead of being
improved, has become worse. They have been inva-
rabl sunk into vice. and pauperism, accompanied by
the bodily and mental infections incident thereto
deafness, blindness, insanity and idocy, to degree
without example; while in all other States which
have retained the ancient relation between them
they have improved greatly in every respect--in
number, comfort, intelligence, and moras-as the
following Facts taken from such sources will serve to
illustrate:
The number of deaf and dumb, blind, idiots. and
insane Of the negroes in the States that have chsnged
the ancient relation between the races is one out of
every ninetvsx while in the States adherine TO IT, il
is one out of every six hundred and seventytwothat
is, seven to one lin favor of the latter as compared
with the former.
The number of whites deaf and dumb, blind IDIOTS,
and insane, in the States that have changed the rea
tlon is one IN every five hundred and sixty be-
ing nearly six to one against the free blacks in the
same States
The number of negroes who are deaf and dumb,
blind idiots and nsane paupers and in prison. in the
states mat have changed, is out of every one
hundred and hity-iour or twenty-five to one against
the former, as compared with the latter.
TAXING the two extremes Of North and South-in
The State OF Maine, the number of negroes returned
as deaf and dumb, blind, insane and idiots by the
census oil lS4O, is one out of every twelve and in
Florida by the same return one out of
hunJred and i've or ninetytwo to in favor of the
slaves IN Florida, as compared with the free blacks
in Maine
In addition, deserves to be remarked that in Mas
sachusctts, where the change in the ancient relation
oil the two races first made (now more than sixty
years sInce where the greatest zeal has been exhib
teo IN their behalf, and where their number is com
paratvely few, (but little more than 900 in popu.
laon OF 100 ,000) The condition of Africa is amongst
The most wretched BY the latest authentic accounts
there was one out OF every twenty one of the black
population IN jails or houses Of correction and one
out OF every thirteen was either deaf and dumb blind
IDIOT, insane, or IN prison. On the other hand, the
census and other authentic sources Of information e
taosh The fact, that the condition of the African
race throughout all the States where the ancien, re-
lat on between the two has been retained enjoys q
degree Of health and comfort which may eli com.
pare with the laborng population of any country in
ChrlsteDdom and it may be added that in no other
or IN any other age country has the ne
gro race ever attained so high elevation in morals.
or civilization.
II such be the wietched condition of the race in
their changed relation where their number is com
laratlvey icw and where much interest ia mani
rested ior their improvement, what would il be in
'hosc States where The two are nearly equal in
Numbers, and where, in equence, would neccs-
sar'ly spring up mutual fear, jealousy and hatred
between them' 1t may, in truth, be assumed as
maxim, that two races differing so greatly, and in so
many respects, cannot possibly exist together in the