Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-11-07
ANNEXATION.

The position assumed by Mr. Calhoun and
other annexatonists Of the South, in reference
TO sdcery as connected with annexation, has givA
en- new attitude TO the whole slavery question
In this country: or to speak more properly, IL has
raised AN entirely new question. The point now
started is not whether the South shall Do protec.
ted in all her rights as recognised under the Con.
stitution, but whether the Government OF the m.
Mon shall become subservient to tho purposes Of
the South in extending the institution Of domes.
tic slavery in view Of her demand that The same
shall DO for the better security Of that institution
Every one will see that this is new aspect Of
the case altogether. The most vigilant and de.
termined defenders of the righte If the Sonth;:
men who would perish rather than suffer their do.
nestle affairs be interfered with, and who regard
the Institution Of slavery as part Of their social
and political system to which none have.a right
to object. since it concerns others bit theu-
selves, will yet perceive, at once, that the whole
ground is changed from what il has hitherto been
under the Constitution Instead Of requiring that
the established guarantees shall be faithfully OBJ.
served, the demand is that new ones shall bo
granted Nay more than that: the demand is
mat the extension OF slavery itself shall become
a matter OF national policy, and that the nom
siaveholding States, going beyond the negative
position oil not disturbing that institution as az
lists under the Constitution in other States, shalt
actually unite in the enlargement Of its founda.
ton by extending its territorial domain.
In all parts Of the Union, among men of intel.
,igence, the preposterous nature Of this IDEA will
DC seen at once "Savery in this country" saws
MIR. Webster, in his Valley Forge speech.
islands where the Constitution left it. have
taken an oath to support the Constitution, and
mean to abide by ii. shall do nothing to carry
the power of the General Government beyond
the just bounds Of the States. shall do moth.
Ing to Interfere with the domestic institutions of
tne south; and the Government of tho United
states has no right to interfere Herewith But
.hat is different thng-very-from not inter.
milne 10 prevent the extension Of slavery, by
auuing large slave country to this WHY.
where would this lead us to? One day England
may become deeply involved in domestic difficult.
''cs' and people of the North may want the an.
neXa'ion OF Canada. We have territory enouob,
we are happy enough; each State n,oulds its own
INSTITUTIONS TO SUIT It's own people, and is it NOS
best TO leave them alonel
Nor is it among the leading men of the Norh
alone that this plain view of the subject is admit.
yea as the true one. MIR. Preston, OF South Car.
DINA, In his speech at Baltimore not very lonp
ago, as reported at the time, said:
annexation was desired for the purpose OF
sustaining and extending the institution of sla.
vrry--a motive by which he could not be govern.
ca. The institution of slavery was one which
belonged exclusively TO us of the South: il was
our own domestic affair; we were to take care of
IL Tor ourselves without any extraneons interior.
ence, and he would be the first to resist any such
.";. D"' ""eh we attempted 10 acquire
territory with view and for the purpose of ex.
lending slavery beyond its proper limits, the case
was altered; we had changed our position from
The defensive to the aggressive. Were we who
boast OF our free principles, to raise the black fac
and go to war with sister Republic, to extend
the institution Of slavery!
his is the true view. II is important that the
whole South should understand it-as the most
discreet and sensible men of the South do nm
derstand it. 1t is the political ultraists in that
part OF the Union who have seized upon the ap.
gIrssive position, and have brought the question
OF slavery forward in this assuming stvle upon
the political arena-and for what purpose! Not
In The expectation that the assent of the Union
can he had to any such assumption! No; that
could not enter into the widest imagination.
was 1t with the view to take advantage Of the
rejection which must follow, i'm order to carry ont
q scheme of dismnion9 Col. Benton can sneak
to that point.-BaH. american.