Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-08-09
VOL. XXXvIII, NO. 49.--wHOLE No. 1873

ha
stituton by both Jefierson ondrAdans. But no
the people of Louisiana, and the people of the u
nted States, appeared TO be una1pous in their de-
sire to have that territory iRcdfporated with the
States, a majority Of Congress Felt willing to do
so, and thereby save the delay and trouble of a
mending the Constitution ;sand it was thus done
mated if the ,clo'e psha,bf both governments de-
sired it. 1t wouldf>indeed, be a violation of the
constitution, butof course no one would complain
of it afterwards 49, -
Under the Old Confederation provision was made
for admitting foreign people. to union of the
States, in order to incorporate Canada with the u
nted States, when they should be prepared for such
Union. But when the Constitution was framed
the treaty Of 1888 had been ratified and the limits
of the United Sites were defined, and every man
understood the extent of territory; and al the
formation of the Constitution every member had
reference to those boundaries.
The Old Thirteen States had each borne por-
ton Of the burdens, and had shared in the dangers
Of the Revolution. Their people understood the
objects for which they had contended. And |
should like 10 find the man who will say, that he
really believes the trainers of that instrument in
tended to give authority to the Federal Government
to annex the people of those States to Mexico, or
TO Brazil to Great Britain by which our nstitu,
| tons would be snbverted, and all the blood and
treasure expended in the Revolution would be lost
TO posterty? sSir, no man believes that such in
tention was entertained by single member of that
Convention. And it is perfectly clear that when
Mr. Jefferson wrote his letter some fifteen years
subsequently, he well understood the powers inten-
ded to be granted. 1t is equally clear that when
| he purchased Louisiana, he was conscious it was
done without authority. But the people acquiesced
in the act rather than to amend the constitution
Thus the purchase of Louisiana forms no prece.
dent in favor Of the right to hold foreign territory
OF 10 annex a fore gn power to this Union. On the
contrary as the act at the time admitted to be
without authority by Mr.. Jefferson, who negotiated
the purchase, and by Mr. Adams, then leading
statesman, and as the power was not asserted by
any one, it furnishes the strongest proof against the
existence of such power. Again, in the debates
of the Convention that framed the Constitution and
in the debates of the Thirteen State Conventions
that ratified and adopted 1t, not an individual ap-
pears to have proposed the granting of such pow
ers, or to have supposed that the Constitution con-
tanned such powers. IT. therefore, such powers ex-
list, those who framed and those who adopted the
constitution were deceived and did not understand
the effect OF the instrument which they framed and
adopted. And | appeal to the common of
every man to decide, whether the people of New
England would have been likely to adopt the Con-
sttuton had it been suspected of containing such
> powers? Would they, after years of toll and dan
ger and suffering 10 achieve our the independence
of our country, have been likely to enter into
any compact, giving power to any body Of men
under heaven to place them, their descendants
under the dominion of any foreign people? Would
the descendants of tie Pilgrim Fathers-of those
who had been driven from the land of their nativity
by oppression, and who encountered the dangers Of
The sea. and sought freedom in the new world, amid
the perils that awaited them; who in the cabin of
the Mayfower, while speeding her way from the
land of oppression, concocted and arranged the first
code OF American popular government and VINO
f carried it into practical operation at Plymouth,
and nculcaed its pincp pies into the minds OF their
T. ri WpUld Of m
Heroes, reared and educated in the religious and
political faith of their fathers und who had mani
: tested their uningatng hatred of oppression, and
their own devotion TO the doctrines of civil liberty,
at Concord at Lexington, at Bunkers hill and on
all the glorious battle fields of the Revolution !;
would they have been likely to enter into any
= pact by which this Federal Government might
transfer them or their descendants to the dominion
n OF Texas, or Mexico or Brazil, or to England it
= self? Sir, the assertion that such powers exist in
I the Constitution is a reproach upon New England
= character ii is offensive to New England ceiling,
an imputaton upon New England honor; it is an
n insult to the common feelings of our people, and
must inevitably call forth corresponding ndigna-
ton in the breast of every true Of the North
d But Mr.. Chairman, by adopting our Federal
It Constitution, union was voluntarily formed of the
: Old Thirteen States. This the act of each
IS State for each determined for itself upon the pro-
priety Of adopting the Constitution. The Compact
S made provisions Tor admitting by act of Congress
II new States to be formed out of the territory nclu-
i ded within the boundaries dividing our Government
t. from foreign nations. That union, formed by the
f. wisdom of fathers, and consecrated by tho
blood and suffering which had marked their recent
struggle for independence, lore and cherish To
d it we shall adhere in all of its stipuations. We
= regard 1t as the sanctuary of American liberty
If We shall defend it, If necessary, with our treasure
j. and our lives. But we shall not surrender this Un-
, ion sanctioned by half century of national pros
81 al.
with slaveholdng Texas Sir, every school boy
must that to form union with any foreign
power would ipSo tncto' dissolution of this I'M
n ion. Now, ] would say to an nlbecile President,
j. and demented Cabinet that they have not the
# power 10 form union between our people Of the
Tree States and Texas. II such union be ever
formed it will be the voluntary act of the people
= of our States and those of Texas. The President
# and his Cabinet may enter into many treaties as
# they please ace shall adhere to present Union.
If they wish to leave this Union and 90 10 Teras,
e !, for one, will bid them d" God speed" And if
j any of our Southern sister States are DESTROYS of
t leaving our present Union to form a new compact
! with Texas. let them say with generous frank
: ness. But if northern states prefer adhering to
= our present Union, and refuse to follow them into
such new Coniederacy, don't let them attempt
e charging us with disabling the Union ! regret
that any Northern man should speak Of dissotcing
n The Union, II Ierds be dnnered. Such expressions
!, are an abuse of language The act of uniting with
n Texas would itself be the dissolution and refusal
to unite with that Government ould be to maintain
the present Union. Again, some Northern men
d appear to think if our Southern States, with the
e Executive, prefer new compact with Texas to re
naming in our present Union that, in such case,
e our Northern States must of course abandon the
e sacred compact formed by our fathers, and join
: such new and unhoy alliance But, Mr.. Chair
man, for one am most decidedly in favor of main
: tanning our present Union, although every slave
n State Should orsake it, which AM sure they new
J. err will DO. It is, however, true that the Southern
a menaces of a dissolution of the Union, unless
Texas be annexed. Well, sir, ii the spirit of dis
solution shall enter into Southern friends, and
: they shall "ru do,on that steep place into The sea"
of slavery and choked By lis ,eaveS, the fault
e will not be chargeable upon us.
Mr. 9ELsER, Of Alabama, said he desired to put
f a question to the gentleman from Ohio.
II Mr GLnnI NV lIL.e is fast Amending hut &c