The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-10-21
Continued from first PAGE.


And what still more strikIngly e'nces the
spirit of those times, and the true bearing
Of that ordinance in respect to slavery, the
preamble to the articles of compact de-
eIared, that they were ordained ''ior ex-
tending the fundamental principles of CIV
il and religious liberty which form the ba-
sis whereon these republics, their laws and
constitutions are erected"
lit had been asserted in the Conven-
ton that formed the Constitution, that,
under the clause declaring that "new
States may be admitted by the Congress
iato this Union" foreign slave States
might and would come in, it is very man
lfest TINT the clause would not have been
adopted without all express negation OF
such a construction-much more, that
provision for the representation Of three
fifth of the slave populatlonl would not
have been permitted place in the Con-
stitution. The fact that such provision
was made is, therefore, conclusive evidence
that the admission into the Union of for
eign slave States under the Constitution,
entered into no ones conceptions, and
would have been expressly guarded against
If suggested from any quarter.
IL follows that every assertion by the
South of the sacredness of the slave rep
resentation compromise, Is an argument
out of its own mouth, that the introduce
ton of foreign slave States into the u
Mon is, itself violation of the comprom-
ises of the Constitution. And it further
more follows, that such introduction of
foreign slave States, in effect discharges
the North from its obligation to a contn-
ulnce of the slave representatlon-a rep
resentation sufficiently onerous when con-
fined to the Constitutional Union, but in
folerable when extended to nelc Union,
formed By the introduction of foreign slave
States, for the purpose of perpetuatlng the
dominion of the slave power. Let the
S ,uth either relinqGish the unrighteous
advantage of the slave representation, or
cease to press for the admission of foreign
slave States. To claim both is an agra
vltion ofinjustice, equaIIcd'only by that
ofthe system for whose support and con-
tinnance it is perpetratcd.
Equally unjust and absurd is it to the
claim and execution of the constitutional
stipulations for the surrender Of fugitives
from oppression, and for protection a.
gainst domestic violence, while the right
i, claimed and exercised, to augment and
perpeiuate, indefinitely, the burden of
these obligations, by the annexation, o.
ipreign slave States TO the Union.
Slavery, moreover, is an element of
weakness, inviting invasion, which the
C. institution binds the nation to repel, in
whltever quarter it might threaten. How
lIng, and to what extent this obligation is
t. be binding, may hereafter become a
q lestion The advocates of anncxati N
would do well now, to consider it, as they
would also, the question, to what extent
there shall be maintained, at an enormous
expense, a navy to prevent the coast wise
slave trade, destined tosacquire unwonied
activity under annexation policy.
To these motives for, resisting the CON
summation ofthe threatened measure, must
b. added its injustice 10 Mexico, and the
disgrace Of perpetrating it, because she
is unable to resist. And 10 render its in
istice The more fragrant, and the grasping
spirit in which the whole annexation
movement originated, and has been cen
icted, the more manifest, it would now
seem that the Executive is pushing a claim
t. territory as part of Texas, clearly be-
yond any limits ever assigned to the depar-
t.nent of that name, and not even in pos
session Of the government to whom the
overture for annexation has been made.
The impotence of Mexico may be TO
Us an efftctual protection We are prob
ably safe from the injury her sense of
wrong may prompt her 10 infiict But
who shall protect us from the Just Judge
mont of an impartial world. or blot the
stain of injustice from the pages of our
couEtrv's history.
In reference to the position sometimes
taken, that the action already had upon the
subject of annexation, concludes Us from
f;rthe- opposition TO the measure, it is
sufficient to say, that no right can be con-
cluded by any action, Of the character Of
that legislation under which the overture
to Texas has been made 1t is an attempt
to annex by joint resolution of Congress
the unconstitutionality Of which was so
apparent, that it become necessary to con-
meet it with an alternative resolution, pro-
viding for annexation BY treaty. IL WIS by
the union orsuch alternative, that conscen-
tious scruples as to annexation bv Joint
resolution were quoted, though the al
ternltive left it in the power of the Prcs,-
dent to give feet, as he ms done, to the
Joint resolution itself, and thus do the
very thing which those scruples would mol
allow could be done
We have, thus. a double violation OF
the Constitution; to which must be added
the fact, that the President elect made his
appearance at the scene OF action and
turned the trembling scale, by throwing
into it the weight of his incoming official
patronage.
Shall such an act, carried by such
means, have the effect in this free coun-
try, of concluding and silencing opposition
to an uncnnsummated measure! Let the
spirit of free, intelligent aud unsubdued
Vermont answer.
And where will Vermont SOC, be. jethe
policy of foreign annexation is to prevail.