The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-02-12

that "new Suites may he admitted by Congress into
the Union" Very true: hut is this TO be inken
without limitations Ifthere had been no territory
within original limits upon which this provision
could take eiect,t would have been conclusive OF tho
question 10 the power admit new States beyond
those limits, But there such territory. We had
the Territory North West Of the river Ohio, which
mad been cedeG by Virginia; and in regard 10 which
the Ordinance or 1887 had provided Cor its admission,
"not less than three, than five States" into
the Union. And new States il was contemplated
might be formed ofthe existing States, some OF
which Ind large unsettled territories Hence it WINS
added 10 the clause authorizing the admission Of new
Stnles-"Dui no new Stnte shall be formed and
created within the Jurisdiction Of any other State,
any State be formed by the junction OF two more
States parts Of States, without the consent of the
Legislatures of the States concerned. ms well rs the
Congress"
Here, then, ample field for the exercise,
and exhnuson,o the power Of admitting States
il was within the immediate view, and evidently in
the contemplation, OF the framers OF the Constitution
1t is Incredible f the admission Of States beyond
these limits was contemplated that other s more spe-
cfc language should mo- have been employed TO grant
the powera power which, If construed to extend 10
the admission Of foreign States without limit S; it is
without limit If at ALT would not need the sagnci-
~ OF very wise TO see would involve a power
OF addiog States such an extent, ms TO overshudow
thc whole orthe old thirteen with all their territories
and make them a mere appendage 10 the added for
cign States.
And all this placed within the power of Congress,
which, though it cannot alter line OF the Consu-
ion, would thus be invested with power 10 bring that
the blessings Of liberty ourselves, and our pogcr-
fy,''wtu the nnuihating power of the whole North
American Continent.
Bnt tie precedent OF the purchase Of ousiara and
the admission Of the States formed from il into the
Union, is relied 1t is a sufficient reply 10 this
that Mr. JEFFERSON himself admitted that, in ma
king The trenty, The powers Of the Constitution were
exceeded. This is fully declared in the pnsihumous
publication of his writings, will appear by the fol-
lowing quotations from them:
"Whrn consider that the limits Of the United .
Etates are precisely fixed bv the treaty Of 7s3 TINT
rho Constitution expressly declares itself 10 he made
made fnr the United Stntps' I cannot help believing
that The intention was not to permit Congress to nd-
NIT into the Union States which should he formed
without the territory FOR which and under whose au- /
thortv none they then acting" a Icfferson2
Again. '''rhe Constitution has made no provision !
Tor nur holding foreign territorysW less for incor-
Poratt0P foreign nations into Caioa' e, JEFF
ferson, 5l2
The purchase OF Louisiana the result of what
was deemed an overriding necessity for tie acquisi-
ton of New Orleans with its outlet for the commerce
Of the Mississippi, including its free navigation, to the
ocean; acquisition cerainy Of very great impor
tnnce, also the removal orroreign Jurisdiction
from the country of that rver &yet the violation
Of the Constitution in the purchase or the territory
with its hagrani violation, in the Stipulation for
It's admission Stnte or States into the Unions its
admission accordingly constitute very grent If not
Preponderang weight in the opposite scale.
BIT The precedent does not cover this case. That ,
necessity does not exitunless the extension of sla-
Tery, TO enable II to maintain successful COMPETE
tnn with freedom, is 10 be compared with the pur-
pose in the acquisition OF Louisiana. That was n /
purpose at once noble and national in lis character
IhtS is ms detestable slavery and sectional as
its ends and aims al with the spirit Of the |
Constitution. 1t is moreover, mot the purchase
u territory which, in the progress Of Time might
be moulded by the Legislation of Congress into fitting
condition TO become n State in our confederated Re-
public; but il is attempt to Introduce at once in
TO the conIedeTacy, State ushered into existence in
ihe act OF revolt from foreign government, with !
Slavery made perpetual by its organic law.
Twill only add, that the annexation Of Texas
would certainly work DISSIPATION of the Union in
fact, it would be, in theoya violation Of the Com
sttution. 1t is mpos.ibo-ulterly impossible that
The free States should submit 10 the measure They
have been long enough ruled by Slavery. In the alb
scence of artificial check The growtho or bal
nncc power of Freedom ii will, one day, obtain its
just ascendaucy in this Union. The attempt to check
or control this national tendency by colonizins slave
ry in foreign government ifecling revolt from
that government, and then annexng the revoters TO
this Union to perpetuae saverys detesiable and de.
tested rule, is an outrage TOO fragrant be submitted
to by the Of the Pilgrims No! Slavery must
not attempt this. There was a time when il might
have been submitted to-when the nation was drug
ged with the opate of slavery, to stupcfacton But
the stuPOr is passing away The North is roused--
not as much should be- but so much that it ,oiH
neper again sleep on this subject Slavery is grow
ing old; while Freedom is bounding onward with the
vigor OF youth, in her glorious career
The North has no motive for continuance of the
Union which can outweigh the iniolerable curse of
Sayprvfs endiass rnIe Rnt RI d,,. or ~.