The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1844-09-26
state. Ifnot as much known as many


himself forward, nor have his friends been
very free to throw his name forward when
Offices were to be distributed, But does
he, under this successful trial, the less de-
serve our confidence and our warm and
united support! Cheers,
There is another subject on which | feel
bound to speak ii word-a question when
sprung up during the last session OF con-
gress. | aludc to the proposition to annex
Texas to the territory oflhs Republic
was called on officially To act on That great
national proposition. It's not my pnr-
pose to discuss the matter before you, be-
cause onc who is to follow me, and who
has paid more attention to the subject
than | have, will do it ample justice. Bul
to you am bound to account for my Off
cial action on that great question, | tel
| it my dnty to vote as a senator, and did
vote, against the ratification of the Treaty
for the annexation 1t had been supposed
by some, that gave that vote from an I'M
yielding opinion that annexation should
never take place. That is not so, have
made up no such opinion. For the treaty
| could not vote, and one of the reasons
was that | believed then, as now, if we
propose to take that country into our con-
icderacy, at the time under the then exis-
ting relations between Mexico and Texas,
it was our duty as one of the civilized ma
tons oflhe earth, to 90 frankly, honestly,
openly, to Mexico, and aow our wishes
and designs--to offer TO negotiate with her
in reference to any claim she might nave,
and to make to her character, honor and
interest all proper and honorable tenders.
believe the honor, the faith and standing
of this Union imperiousIy demanded this
course Again, believed that the Treaty
from the boundaries tha, must be implied
from it, if Mexico would not treat with US
embraced country 10 which Texas had
no claim-over which she had never as
serted jurisdiction, and which she had no
right to cedc. On this point should give
you brief explanation.
The treaty coded Texas by name, with
out any effort to describe boundary. The
congress of Texas had passed an act de-
clarlng by metes aud bounds what was
Texas within their power and jurisdiction,
1t appeared 10 me then, if Mexico should tell
US, we don't know you've have no trea-
ty to make with you'.-and we were left 10
take possession by force, we must take the
country as Texas had coded it to us-and
in doing that or FORGETTING our own honor,
we must do injustice to Mexico, and take
large portion of New Mexico, the pco-
pie OF which have never been under the ju-
risdctlon Of Texas This to me was an
lnsupporlable barrier. | could not place
the country in that position Again, the
record sent with the treaty-the cores
pondence between our negollatOrs,N nd the
Texas commissioners, and the British
mlnster-was any thing but acceptable to
me. That corrcsp ondcnce did not present
the true reason why that country should be
annexed to the Union, if it should lie
annexed 1t was as all recolect, put on
the assumed ground that it was necessary
TO strengthen, defend and prepetuate the
institution of slavery in the country. On
this subject speak with entire frankness.
10 say that am not friend to the insllu-
ton Of slavery as an individual, would be
to offend you. For no man living here
in our society, can in his heart cherish ali
institution of that sort as a matter Of prln-
cipIc. 1t is a libel on man to suppose so.
Yet the institution exists among us. 1t
existed in our state when the federal con-
,tituton was formed The convention OF
S7--the wisest body Of men, unques,lona-
bly,, that ever has assembled for civil pur-
poses within the history of the world made
The compromises which enabled them to
form the Union. Without it the Union
would never have existed. What were
they; To leave the existence, the meas
IRE and management of slavery exclusively
to each state for itself We, most wisely
and gradually abolished it with us. Other
states, whether from choice or compulsIon
1t does not become me TO say, have rot adj
sanced so rapidly. But there Is not one pro-
vision in that sacred instrument, which |
would less willingly disturb. 1t Is TO me
as sacred as any of the othcrs-Ond whilst
| live, so far as my voice and action is
concerned, the guardianship and DISPOSE
ton Of it shall be left to those among
whom it exists, without interference from
me. God knows Iconsider it deep enough
misfortune on them, and am not disposed
to increase the evil. Still when called on,
if ever am, to extend and strengthen the
institution, by measure affecting coun-
try out ofthe Union, not in it, it is differ
ent question, and | shall !jesire, that great
question, which has no business 10 be con-
nected with our party poilics-had none
at its Introduction at Washington, legiti-
moely in my judgment,-ihat such a
question should first be placed before the
intelligent rreemen of the country, discus.
sed before them, and decided by them -
There it is now There chcerlully let it
rest. | do believe that in certain national
points Of view, the annexation of Texas
would be important to the Union-that our
southern border would be improved and
strengthened-that our position would be
strengthened and secured 1t is question
which public opinion should pass upon,
fha,. ,hn q,