The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-10-16

truly benevolent, io check such antlcIpa
tions, and chasten such desires, by sub
hitting them to the restraints of rigic
Justice to the existing members Of tn,
confederacy. No fancied benefits Cal
ever compensate for the preparation o
wrong-the infection of injustice, nnde
any circumstances whatever.
But il is attempted to obviate the constitu
ton al difficulty, by claiming lilIe TO Texas az
part OF the Louisiana purchase, and calling
tue proposed measure remuneration. In re-
ference TO this it is sufficient to say that by
the Treaty of 1919 with Spain alter pro-
tracied negotiation with regard TO the south
ern boundary of Louisiana, 1t was agreed 10
fix it on the Sabine that The yielding oil
our disputed claim 10 Texas entered into the
consideration of the cession 10 US Of Florida
and that the line thus established was subse-
quenty confirmed by our Treaty Of Limits
with Mexico. The claim TO remuneration,
then, is as though, upon the possible indie
pendence of Canada, and treaty with her
confirming the boundary, established by the
treaty of Washington, we should afterwards
claim as our own, the territory coded by us
Il that arrangement, becauseit was embraced
within ouI formerly claimed limits. Who
would be willing 10 hazard the peace or the
honor Of the country, upon such claim as
this ? And yet such is the claim for Te-an-
neXaiion.
But there is another insurmountablc con-
stitutional objection. 1t is found in the pur-
pose of annexation. That purpose is TO es-
tabIish and perpetuate slavery-any attempt
10 do which by the General Government is
-. g IL. 81
compact. For where is 10 be found among
the powers granted in the constitution, the
semblance Of a power TO establish or perpet-
uate slavery, any where? With the exceed
ton orthe provisions for delivering up fugi-
tives, and the suppression ofinsurrection,a and
the three fiflhs slave representation in one
branch ofCongress, the constitution confers
on slavery no privilege; and imposes no du-
ty, and confers no power on congress, look
ing, in the remotest degree, to lis support
1t was state institution before the constitu-
ton was formed, and, so far as that constitu-
ton is concerned, it remains SO still-iree 10
live if it can, but certain 10 die without IN
constitutional aid for its support. This aid
ii is HE purpose of annexation TO afford.
The onward progress of freedom, under IFS
high impulses, is changing the balance Of
DOhGl. anu SlofClN " POllSu,
now the nation is suddenly called on to come
TO its rescue-to save itfrom sinking--to in
fuse it into fresh life and vigor, and 10 pro-
long, and perpetuate its power. And this at
The expiration of more than half n century
from the formation OF the constitution, when
the entire nation entertained :he belief that
slavery could not survive the first quarter OF
a century ofour national existence.
II is said, indeed, that annexation will not
have the effect of charging and sustaining
the power of slavery. But whoever consid-
srs the relation between demand and supply
in the commerce Of the world, will be at no
loss to perceive the connection between the
consumption ofhuman energy and human
life in the enlarged cultivation of Texas an
nexed, and the increased production in our
slave breeding States for the supply of the
demand thus created. Such was the effect
of the acquisition of Louisiana. That sla-
very is destined, with annexation, to recede
gradually 10 the South, until it melts away
and becomes lost in mixture of races some
where between the line of Mason & Dixon,
and the isihmus of Darien, is vision offan-
cy az baseless as the fabric of dream.
Nothing in the past will justify US in believ
ing it can ever become a reality.
To attemprfo any purpose, a transiorma-
ton OF the presrnI, into the new union which
annexation weuld create, would be an insult
ferable invasion Of our rights but to attempt
il for the purpose of sustaining slavery, and
subjectng the tenants of the mountains 10
its prolonged power, is TO be thought of with
no dream oil submission 10 it for an hour.
Upon the contamination of the threatened
measure, | do not hesitate TO say that it
would be the duty Of crmont to declare her
unalterahle determination 10 have no connec-
ion with the new union, thus formed without
her consent and against her will. To car
~ out this determination would not be TO
dissolve the union, but to refuse 10 submit TO
its dissolution,-not 10 nullify, but TO resist
notification.
do not undcrvalue the Union. greatly
value, and would preserve it. BUTT is the
union ofIwhich The present constitution is the
bond. 1fthe question were properly submit
ted 10 Vermont whether she would come into
new union. VIC would deliberate upon it
but the question whether we will submit 10
be forced into it, under pretence of a power
10 do so which does not exist, is not 10 be de-
bated for moment, any more than we would
debate the question Of submission TO a for
eign yoke.
But why, after all. should annexation be
desired by any body? What conceivable
motive is there for it. having reference to the
good of the whole country? How is it 10
benefit the Union Who can assure us,
indeed. of the capacity ofour Union 20 resist
the strong tendencies to dissolution, Of such
an acquisition What wise and prudent
statesman will be willing 10 hazard such an
experiment upon this Union2 Wiser and
better is it to endeavor TO strengthen and con-
solidate it upon its present basis-to get rid
as soon as can be properly and rightfnlly
done, of every thing that will endanger ii,
and especially Of that greatest al! sources
of danger, the institution Of slavery-and
thus, having laid aside every weight TO run
the race of freedom and philanthropy and
solid glory which is set before us
The relation of Slavery to the confederacy
the evident danger from the existence oEsuch
an element in our Union, and the increasing
excitement in regard to it suggest few ad-
tional remarks upon the subject.
aThe question of slavery is among the
greatest that can occupy the mind of the ma
ton: The true position in which it was
left by the Constitution the expectation of the
country in regard 10 its then future condition
the history Of its subsequent encroach