The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1844-08-01

the reason gwen by Senator Barrow OF
Louisiana, Wig, and by the distin-
guished Wing Representative in Congress
from Maryland, Mr. Kennedy-and is the
reason given by Henry Clay, himself
Here you have the matter plain enough
for you! His grand argument against the
admission of Texas into the Union is that
it would weaken the Institution of Slavery
by adding to the conlederacy three free
SateSi AT the north, the coons cry out
against the remuneration OF Texas because
it would increase the slave power, and they
are in favor of Henry Clay, because he is
opposed to Texas! How shallow and I'M
profitable all this becomes, the moment
Clays real reasons for his opposition toTex-
as are known. When it is known, which is
the fact, as proved from CLAWS own letter,
that he opposes Texas for the reason that
it will decrease the slave power and in.
crease the power of the free Stales-how
Inprnciped appearsthe deception attempt
ed to be palmed off upon the free States!
But let US 60 ON in our proof, We put
upon the stand Hon, Waddy Thompson
The remarks upon his letter which are in
tcrspersed are from the Augusta (Me) Age:
The Washington National ln,eIligencor has
recently published letter upon the Texas qucs-
ton, Gom General Waddy Thompson, formerly a
member of Congress from South Carolina, and
lately minister to Mexico from the United States
The Inreligencer (Nlr, Clay's central organ)
says of Gen Thompson;
"The position of Gen. Thompson is of itself
such as to attract great attention 10 any thing he
says on the subject of Texas A southern man BY
birth, education, feeling and INTEREST," the first man
TO propose in the House of Representatives of the
United States the recognition the Independence
of Texas; himself personally interested in that
country; a resident for the last thra years in the
city of Mexico, in Il station which necessarily has
made him Familiarity acquainted with the concerns
Of both Texas and Mexico-lheiI physical and So
Cal relations TO the United States, TO each other,
and to the rest Of The world, and with every con =
Slderalion that can by possibility connect itself
with the enumeration" question-his Letter can
no, but be read with avdny by all classes of cit
izens. 1t will well reward The closest attention
which they may bestow upon it,"
The Boston Atlas (whg) publishes his letter in
full, and says Of it,
"rhis letter is calculated 10 produce very
decided effect, in dispeIing the loco ioco humbug
Of annexation"
We agree that this letter, thus endorsed as an
exposition of the reasons of wing opposition TO
Texas. deserves the "ciOsea aiieaii0a," and we
append coPious extracts for the pcrusal Of our
readers.
1t is undoubtedly true, tht the annexation Of
Texas would lid This country Of slavery. 1t is
true also, as we believe, that the great majority
of the southern people desire to effect that object,
and that the annexation Of Texas is and will be
popular with them as means Of cllccng it.
Mr.. Clay, we admit, has declared himself hos,
tile to any plan of emancipation, "gradual or
immediate" and takes great pleasure in talking
about his slaves AS heing 'td dnd slcek" This
suits the lordIy aud arslocmlic character of a man
who insists upon having white slaves if he is moi,
allowed to have black ONES. 4 few wings, like
General Thompson, may sympalhzc with him,
but they must be few indeed. The great majority
of the south are resolved TO get I'D Of slavery, in
spite of Nlr, Clay and Mr.. Cluy's friends,
Gen. 1hompson's letter is dated " Jiashingioa,
July Sd, 18Th" Subioiucd are extracts:
believe that slavery is ~ NO SENSE A.N
EVIL, that the African Is not only more con-
tented and happy, enjoys more physical comfort
and is more moral, religious, and vituous in the
condition of domestic slavery than in any other,
but 90 most confidently believe that the only
alternative of that condition is vice, idlencss, and
debucholy, ultimately leading 10 harharisn', 1"
am firmly persuaded that the CERTAIN
A.ND NEVIT.ABLE TE.NDE.NCIES
of The annexation Of Texas are To promote THE
ABOLITION or SL.lFERI; more 50 in
deed, than any other measure which has hereto
fore been proposed Nor am without support
in this opinion from distinguished advocates Of the
measure.
Nr. w llklUs, lHe present SeCTelHTy ~ war,
holds the following language in his address to his
former constituents,
81 am no advocate for slavery, nor would | see
it Introduced into one region unless were at the
same time assured that il would withdraw il from
another, and that whou! increasing it in the az
greeate. The annexation of Texas must soon be
followed by the voluntary abolition of the nstitu-
ton Of slavery in our neishboring states, Virginia
Maryland and Delaware; and also indeed, in
Kentucky and Missouri. We can all truly re-
loice in its withdrawal from our own immediate
vicinity am satisfied that the best interests Of
that class of our fellow beings originally brought
to and forced on these states by British rupacity
and injustice, and who must always be II marked
aud distinct race AS long us they abide among our
own people, will be best consulted by securing
the only outlet, the only hope which has ever
presented itself for their acquiring an independent
home, or attaining position elevated and equal
TO the people amidst whom they dwell Such a
refuge is offered be-, ond the Rio Bravo, among the
Mexican and South American nations, which have
40 prejudice either to caste or color"
Mr.. Chas. J. lngersol, another leading advo-
cate Of the measure, thus speaks on this branch
of the question:
"Angry protests against Texas, elected by mis-
representations issued at Washington, predicate
slavery as the abhorrent evil to be increased by
Notwithstanding the cgreglously false posi-
ton that more and aggravated slavery is to follow
that event. But three iouilis of llm, fine region
are upland, with soil and climate adapted to az
ricul,nre and pasturage, where cotton and sugar