The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-04-25

tlemen being unanimously appointed officers
ALBERT GALLATIN.
PRESIDENTS,
Morris Franklin, William c. Bryant,
David u. Ogden James Harper,
George CIR swold John w Edmonds,
L +. Wheelwright Robert c. Cornell,
X II. Nevns VIM d. Waterman
Drake Mills, James Brown
Minhorn Tompkins, Peter G. suyvesant,
Hiram ketcham Harvey Weed,
Thomas Tileston, Arthur Bronson,
James G King, Robert b. Mnturn,
Pelatiah Permit, William B. Astor,
George T.. Talman, John l.. Lawrence,
SECRETARIES.
Henry Nicol, Benjamin D. sillimau.
Thomas ". Tucker, Chas. f. Anderson
~ NJ. Beckwith, +. T.. Wesbrook,
John Bgeow
MeRRIs FRANKLIN, Esq, read the following letter
from Chancellor KENT
NEW YoRK, April 23d, isii.
Gentemen-f regret that shall not be able to attend
the public meeting of citizens tomorrow evening the
subject of Texas
1t must not be inferred from my absence that am not
decidedly opposed to the annexation of Texas to the Uni
ted States Considering the relations in which we stand
to Mexico and Texas and the existing relation of those
states to each other the proposed treaty fexecuted would
be gross abuse OF the treaty making power. would
breach of national faith and honor respects
Mexico and might otherwise in its consequences have
most perncious influence the character, tranquility
and safety OF the Union The contamination of such a
project without any previous foundation for it in public
opinion or in public necessity ought my humble judg-
mert to be universally condemned.
have the honor to be, gentlemen with great respect
Your ob1 servant, JAMES KENT.
Messrs. Wm c. Bryant. Benjamin D. siman, Thco
dore Sedgwick and d. d. Field, Committee SC.
The venerable President, on taking the Chair,
was greeted with tremendous applause. lie then
addressed the meeting as follows:-
At my advanced age and period OF life withdrawn am
from the politics OF the day. DESTROYS of quiet, nothing
could have induced to attend this meeting but the mag
indicate he will
called together leaving to others ADLER than to
discuss them at length. (Renewed confusion amongst
portion of the audience the left Of the chair the
committee room door, Till this day the United States
have Hpreserved the highest reputation amongst the
nations of the earth for the fidelity with which
they have fulfilled all their engagements and gene
rally carried all their relations with foreign ma.
lions They have never engaged in war for
the sake OF conquest-never but in seldeence and for
the purpose repeng aggression against their most ga;
cred rights They have never acquired any territory by
treaties fairly negotiated, with the of all the
parties that might have any claim to the territory in
question; loud cheers, and a few hisses) What now
atey-the annexation Of Texas By the most solemn
treaties between and foreign nations Texas has been
adudged being within the limits of Mexico. II there
was any claim the part OF the United States to that
country it expressly renounced by these treaties.
1t il perfectly clear then that the attempt now made is
direct and positive violation Of treaty stpulaons
Tremendous applause and few Kisses | have beard
stated that there was danger that it would also lead
into war. think this but very partial and erroneous
view OF the subject 40 assert without lear OF contra
ns positive declaration Of war against ex
CO. tremendous cheering) will say that even il the
independence of Texas had been acknowledged by Next
CO. il would be still WARRIOR Texas at with Mexi.
and in such state Of things to annex it to this
try, is to make party to that loud cheers and
Texas continues at war with Mexico, and her ndepen.
dence is no. acknowledged by the latter power !
will say that according to the universally acknowl.
edged laws oil nsions, and universal usage Of
ali christian nations that to Texas is a /;
and ia hatasserton will be sustained by every publics
and jurist in the Christian world loud cheers and
| Y would q
war Of conquest will not stop to inquire what Next
CO may do or ought to do in such circumstances It is
enough that the war would be unjust know nothing
Of the ability desire of Mexico to injure It is
enough to say that upjust war founded upon the vo
national character which till this day has been unsullied
Cheers and hisses) There is another view Of this sub
ec complex, delicate but do think it both
better and fdirer to meet it in the face aude to the
effect that this measure would have the question Of
slavery CHEERS and hsses) The constitution of the
United States as from The beg inning founded upon
al ncessions and compromise. When that Constitution
passed. il appears that the Southern States alarmed
by the difference OF the social and institutions from
in the North, required guarantees They may
have been granted with reluctance, but they are conse
Grated by the Constitution The surrender of fugitive
slaves and the noncqual principle OF representation,
have been granted and however repugnan to feelings
principles must carry out the provisions into effect
that these provisions applied only to the territory then
within the limits of the United States and to other
In the of events acquired Louisiana andFlorida
aud without making any observations in these prece-
dents happened that in the Of events three
States have been aided out Of territories not when
the Constitution adopted, within the limits of
the United States, and eventually Florida,
added to the slave holding States Thus has happened
that additional security and additional guarantees have
been given to the South. With those think they ought
10 be sasied-(cheers and hisses) Nothing IL more
true than that il we wish to preserve the Union it must
be by mutual respect to the feelings OF others But these
concessions must be altogether mutual and not all
side.
Here the hsses groans and other expressions of dis.
appreciation which found to proceed from Mike
Walsh and party OF his associates who had stationed
themselves by one OF the pillars in the immediate neigh
borhood of the rostrum becamet uproarous than
before and gentleman in Of the joining pews start
ed up and called Of the audience TO step
and assist him in turning the authors of the disturbance
out of the building The whole audience then sprang to
their feet and scene Of great confusion followed Turn
them out" "turn them out" was shouted universally
whilst the party who had Kissed reored their defiance
IN the most vigorous manner possible MT JOB Blunt
called out Tor half dozen of the friends OF order to
and he would clear the meeting Of tho disturbers
Norris Franklin shouting for "Merrtt-Merrtt" at
the top Of his voice, but Merritt" The officers
we're equally invisible, and seemed inevitable.
platform and shouted" Gentlemen take your seats if
pleasewe pledge ourselves keep ORDER and pre-
serve you in the Of your rights as American
was at once restoredl
Mr. GALLArIy then proceeded
believe order is restored and shall continue Cheers)
If be asked what we do require from the South will
answer-nothmg whatever. We do not require from the
South any that should be repugnant either
to their opinions feelings Nor do interfere with
measureswe do not 70 take any measures either
prevent induce them to admit slavery. It is free,
independent State, and wish them TO do precisely
what they please All ask il to preserve the present
state of things. All ask is that no such plan as
shall again agiate that question shall be attempted
to be carried into effect It is toe much to ask from
that should take active part in permitting the
cession of foreign state and foreign avehodng state
to the Union and that should consent that stat
should again be added to those upon equal basis Of
representation This Is all ask(cheers and solitary
hss0 The discussion of these questions does not orgL
W W in fps
tered this plan We wish every discussion OF this
question TO re avoided. But il II be forced upon
us we will be forced to meet IT, There other
sderatons and most momentous Questions which depend
upon this In the first place does the treaty -makng
power imply power to annnl existing treatiesl Does
President or Senate in making treaty with another pow
err disregard the spulatons Of treaty with third par
~? Again can foreign state be admitted in the Union
without the unanimous consent of all the parties to the
compact cloud cheers) know that the presidents Of
Louisiana and Florida may be adduced-bnt let us see