The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-10-21

seem, therefore, TO DO thrown upon the necessity OF
furnishing evidence Of intention, quite beyond nny
Thing thnt Gun be found in tho general language
"New Suites may be admitted by the Congress into
this Union, ~ which, If al owed The latitude contend
ed for, would lenve no limit the exercise of that
power, short Of the entire hnbhable globe That tho
trainers Of tho constitution had in their contemplation
II provision admitting such II latitude, is Incredible,
and is equally that flhey had such intention,
they should have failed TO express il, in language
suited Ia the grant Of power Of such enilul mngn-
ude rs Tint of eiieeting, by simple of Congress,
essential GhGnge in the relations the constituent
| members of the conlrderacy and this too, while
Congress- IL invested with power 10 change even
line Of tho constitution which only he done by
the solemn act Of three Ourths OF the states Of this
union.
Ardent minds may hayo glowing visions Of great
ness and glory and good to man, in prospect Of the
houndless exercise Of tho claimed power; but il is
for the sober and thoughtful, aud wise and truly be-
nevoGnt, 10 check such anlcipntiona, ard chn>ten
such desires, by submitting them 10 tho restraints Of
rigid justice to tho existing members of thi cuniedrr
acy. No lanced benefits compensate for
the pcrpotration Of wrong-he inAeIion OF injnstCe,
under any clfcu STANCES whatever.
Iiut il il attempted to ohNi- tho constitutional dif
fcutv, bv claiming title To IGXiS part of the Lou
i,nnn purchase, aud calling tia proposed
nnnrXatOn. In reference 10 ibis il il Sufficient L.
say that by tho treaty VI 1919 whh Spain, nftor
prntmrtrd nrsptuton with regard to tho southern
boundary of I.nuisunn II Hgrced To fix II the
Irxls entered luu lhe consideration of the ccIslun
to us of Florida; and that the line thus established
was subscq leutlv confirmed by our Treaty Of hunts
with NcXiro. The claim TO re annexation, then is
though, upon the po,sibc independence of Canada
and treaty with her confirming the boundary, Csidb-
'lshed by the treaty of Washington, we should alter
wards clam NJ our own the territory coded 10y us in
that arrangement, because ii was. emhrnced within
opr formerly claimed limits. Who won he willing
hazard the petce the honor Of the county upon
such II claim this And yet such is the claim for
remuneration
But there is another nsurmounnble constitutional
objection |, is found ~ he pu pose Of annexation.
That purpose is TO establish aud perpetuate slavery
any attempt to do which by the General Government
j., Of Itself manifest violation Of the national
pnct. For where is TO be found among tho powers
granted in the constitution the sembance Gfa power
10 establish or p"rpctu0te slavery, any where 80
With tho exception Of the provisions for delivering up
fugitves, aud the suppression Of insurrecIion,
mud the three-ills slave representation in ono branch
Of Congress, the constitution cOnterS on slavery
privilege; and imposes duty and cuniers power
Congress, looking, in the renotest degree 10 lis
support 1t state institution before the consti-
tuition formed, and far that constitution is
concerned, il remains s--ltee 10 live f il CAM
but certain Ia die without unconstitutional aid for lis
support That uid Il Is the purpose Of annexation 10
ntoId.
I he onward progress Of icedom, und its high
impulses is rapidly changing the balance OF power,
and leaving slavery perish; and now the nation is
suddenly called to come to lis rescueto save il
from snkingIo Hfuse into it fresh life ard Nigor and
TO pfolong and perpetunte lis power Aud this at the
expiration gilmore than half century from the for
nation Of the constitution, when the entire nation
entertained the belief that slavery could not survive
tho first quarter OF century Of our national exist
ence.
II is said indeed, that annexation wl not have the
effect uf enlarging and sustaining the power Of slave
ry. But whoever considers the relation between de-
mand and supply in the commerce Of tho world, will
be at loss to perceive the connection between the
consumption Of human energy and human life in the
enlarged cultivation OF Texas annexed, and the in
creased poduc iion in sluvo breeding States for
the supply Of the demand thus created. Such was
the effect Of the acquisition of Louisiana hat slave
~ is destined, with annexation, 10 recede gradually
TO the South until it NETS away and becomes lost in
n mixture of races somew here between the line oi
Mason S, Dixon and tho sthmus of Daren is vision
OF fancy haselcss the fabric OF dream. Moth
ing in the past will justify in believing ii
become reality.
To attempt for any purpose, transformation OF the
present, into the union which annexation would
create, would he AN msniaruhie invasion of our
rights but to attempt for the purpose of sustaining
slavery and Gcng the tenants Of these mountains
TO its prolonged power, TO he thought of with
dream of submission TO for nm hour Upon the
summation oc the threatened measure l. do nothesi-
tate to say that ii would be the duty Of Vermont 10
declare her unaiterah'e determination to have
neXinn with the uuion thus formed without her
consent and against her will To carry out this de-
Termination would not he 10 dissolve the union, but
to refuse to submit To It's dissolution not 10 nullfy
but 10 resist notification.
do not uudervalus the Union. | greatly vSlue,
and would preserve It But it is OF which
tho present constitution i. The bond II tho question
were properly submitted TO Nern ont whether she
would com" into n new Uninu. wuu'd deliberate
upon it; hut tho question whether will submit
be forced inn IT. under the prrtence Of power TO do
So which does not exist, Is not Ia I've debated for a
moment any more than we would debate the cues
ton Of Submission 10 a foreign yoke