Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-03-29
POLITICAL.

MIR. WEB5T ER'S LETT Il II,
TO the Citizens Of Worcester, Mass.
ON THE ANNEXATION OF TEXAS.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 90, 1874.
Gentlemen circumstances have not allowed me
an opportunity, until the present moment of an
swering your letter Of the 18th of December.
In that letter you expressed belief that prop
oston might probably be presented to Congress at
its present session for the annexation of Texas TO
the United States and you desire to know my o.
pinions on the consttutionality Of such measure
its probable effect on the character and future
action of our govcrnment-its tendency to promote
the cause of freedom, to strengthen the bonds OF
slavery; and, in general, the consequences which
may Justly be expected to result from the annexa
ton to tue United States of large slave -holdng
country, not only to American liberty, American
industry, and the continuance of the Union itself,
but also to the great cause Of human knowledge,
virtue and happiness in the United States, in Tex
as, and throughout the world.
At the time when your letter was received, | in
dulged strong hope that no such proposition would
be made in Congress- or would proceed from any
other quarter. | deem it quite unfortunate that
topic SO certain to produce great excitement should
be added TO the other causes operating at the pres
ent moment, to create diversities Of public opinion
As an intention has recently been manifested,
however, of making the annexation of Texas to the
United States a subject of discussion in Congress-
lose no time in answering your letter, and in COM
lplyng with its request The answer is quite at
hand.
In the early part of the year 1887 it was gener-
ally understood that proposition was about to be
made to the Government of the United States for
the annexation of Texas to the Union. Having
occasion in March of that year to address politi-
cal meeting in the city of New York upon the in
teresting topics of The day, could not consistent
y with my own sense Of propriety and duty, abb
stain from a full expression of my sentiments on
that subject. | take the liberty to transcribe the
remarks then made by me.
"Gencmen proposing. TO express opinions on the principal
subjects of the present impossible
overlook the delicate question which has arisen from events
The ndepcndtnee by
Government of the United States Tho Congress the
President the to be used when he f of opening
diplomatic intercourse with its Government, and the late Pre
dent Immediately made use Of these means
saw objection, under the circumstances to voting an
to be used When the r5edsni should think M
that the time had already arrived Certainly, genemcn the
history OF Texas is little wonderful Avery few people
very short have established Government for them
selves against the authority of the parent State and whici
Government it generally supposed there little probability
ut the present momen OF the parent State being able to over
s'The Government is in form, a copy 1t
American constitution substantially alter the great America
modo We all, therefore, must wish success and there
no who win heartily rejoice than SHALL
independent community intelligent, industrious and irendl
and power principles of liberty and government
intention is already manifested TO annex Texas the Unite
States. On subject mighty magnitude this,
when the public attention drawn it, should fec
self wanting cando If did not opinion; sine
all must suppose, that such queson is impossible shout
81 say then, Gentlemen, all frankness that objections
think nsunountabe objections, to the annexation OF Texa
United Wien The Constitution formed, it
probable that either its amer tho People, locke
thea already existed and such should DO formed Of TER
tories then already belonging to the United States Fnee
p Of Louisiana arose. Louisiana was obtained by treaty vii
f great political interests connected with IT, spnn, viii
If which in Western and flow the Gulf OF Me-
co She had disputed our use Of these rivers already and vii
obvious that the Commerce of all the West in danger
was therefore, great object aimed the acquisition
louisiana But that acquisition necessarily brought terrto
along with it, and three States exist fomeG out Of hi
IT similar policy and similar necessity though perhaps
entirely Urgent led to the acquisition OF Florida
Now no such necessity no such policy requires the anne
the full aud complete enjoyment of all which
J. already Her therefore stands entirely diere
cessty for extending the limits Union, direco
SSs n s sHd to
Gen,lemen, all by whomsOever possessed To
entire unIngness to do auy Thing shall
very of tho African this Continent or add other say
10 in itself as great morui social and political evil only u
D. language which has been adopted by distinguished er
selves citizens slae-holding shall do nothing
fore to favor or encourage It's further we have 81
l. recognized it, and solemn guarantees To the q
of these guarantees all bound honor justic
and the Constitution All the spulatons contained
Constitution in favor Of the aychodng States which
ready IN n he Sh b o9 IGs sy 80 ,n as a1 o
of their letter Slavery, exists in the States,
" themselves they have never submitted to Congress-
gess has ghtiu power over it, shall concur therefore,
i'll measure indication of purpose win
shall interfere, threaten to Interfere, with the exclusive
toy of the several States the subject of Slavery
within their respective limits All this appears
IS. be matter OF plain and imperative duty;
IN But when to speak of admitting new States,
III subject entirely diferen. aspect Our rights
ly our duties are then both different.
IL The flee States and all the States liberty
cop reject When is proposed to bring memb'
nc this political partnership, the old members have light
S they bring along Them In my opinion the people
United States will consent ID bring vastly exte
ell sye and savehong large enough for dozen OF h
,r States, the Union. Ia my opinion they ought
- i. Indeed altogether loss to eoeoei
OK what possible this country expect
rive from such annexation Al benefit to any part is a, LEI
be doubtful and uncertain me objections PLAN ana sIo
yh muniy is already strongly excited The subject has not OF
ar attracted attention question OF politics, but II has struck
~ far deeper II has arrested the religious feeling
w country has taken strong hold on the eonscences OF
a tue, and especially has he estimate Of
character Of tho people Of this country who suPposes tina
ID asurdy itself BIO respected may be reasoned wi
We may be made willing 70 S al existing engagement
is established, with whatever regrets, about some prcyso
nd which it docs actually contain But sisne
III endoayor restrain its free expression to seek eomPr
u and conhne y warm as II is and more heated as suSn
,l know nothing in the Constitution, in tho Unon l
which would be endangered by the eIposon which MI
see therefore, political necessity for tho annexation
rs Texas to tho Union no advantages TO pc no "
ce, objections TO IT, Of strong, and IN my udgmsn decisive CT
ch ac.sI ,.,...., and honD;na.. 81 ,h. 49,,
,ed ,ion"'
be. need hardly say that these opinions remain
hat tirely unaltered.
Mr. Five months after these remarks were made, t
be 10 to say, on the ath Of August 1887, the Minis