The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-02-26

arguments drawn from singular and anOma-
lous feature of the institutions Of Texas. Nat
uralization and citizenship there, it is said
may be acquired without remuneration OF
allegiance to the United States. and Texas
may be Immediately represented by persons
now owing fealty TO both countries. But the
law of nations recognizes no such divided al
legiance. Naturalization in foreign State,
without any formal remuneration Of allegiance
TO the native sovereignty. is expatriaton land,
iPso facto, works forfeiture Of all The rights
Of native citizenship. The acquisition of po-
litical franchises under new sovereignty,
necessarily implies their extinction under The
old. Allegiance is of necessity entire, and
no man can be at ono the subject of TWO su-
preme and independent Jurisdictions. Tex
as, therefore, il admitted as a State, must
remain unrepresented in both branches OF the
National Legislature, until the constitutional
term of citizenship shall have expired, unless
she chooses, what we have no right TO assume
in this argument, 10 be represented by per-
sons who shall migrate thither from the U. S.
after her admission.
1t has been said that Vermont acted, not
only as an independent, but as hostile pow
er, by negotiating an armisric and an allegi-
ance with Great Britain during the Revolu-
tionary war. 1t is a sufficient answer TO any
argument founded on this fact, that it is now
historically certain, that these negotiations
were mere stratagem to induce the British
TO suspend hostile operations against the
Northern frontier; and recently discovered
correspondence between the authorities OF
Vermont and General Washington, shows
that they were carried on with his know ledge
and appreciation. Imay challenge the annals
of diplomacy 10 find an instance where dexter
ity in negotiation has obtained more and Civ
en-, or even promised, less, than in this most
cOnsummate!y polite s,ratagem. which paral-
I wed fer three campaigns the hostile force of
an army of 10000 men, and thereby both Sc
cured the Northern frontier, and left the Con-
tinential army free to act against the enemy
in the Southern portion Of the Confederacy.
The occasional open threats of secession on
the part Of Vermont were mere articles TO
give color in the eyes ofihe British to the sin
cerity oithe negotiation, and at the same time
to alarm Congress into Il compliance with her
just and reasonable demands: and there was
never moment when the public authorities
ofthe State ceased to cntcrSiD both the de-
sire and the expectation of ultimate admission
TO the Union. lii not 10 be denied, that the
persevering refusal of Congress 10 fulfil its
own solemn engagements, and TO recognise
the ghts OF Vermont as an independent men,
her of the Confederacy. produced a great ir-
ritaiion, and that influential individuals were
sometime almost provoked into a dctermin
ton to secede altogether from the common
cause. But SO far as the argument from
precedent is concerned, the real question is,
not what were the purposes and views Of the
leading men, or even of the constituted au-
thorities of Vermont, but, upon what princi-
pie did Congress actl Not whether the peo-
pie of Vermont held themselves TO be, not on
ly sovereign and independent, but also a
foreign, State, but whether Congress, in adj
uniting the State, considered itself as treating
with foreign power, or as creating new
member out of territory within It's rightful
original jurisdiction. The question, indeed,
was not discussed, but the whole history of
Inc :TTailsdciiuu-ihe fdris Of the case-show
that Congress did not look upon Vermont. as
10 all intents and purposes, foreign State.
l repeat, then, there is no analogy between
the case of Vermont and this Of Texas; and
gentlemen, who claim for Congress the power
in question, will oe driven to derive it from
the naked words OF the Constitution. But, |
sir, do not purpose TO enter upon the con- |
stitulioBal question furtherthan as the history
of my own State may tend TO elucidate II, |
and shall confne the remainder of my re-
marks TO the simple question of expediency.
| cannot agree with the gentleman from
Ohio, Mr. Dean that the constitutional pow
er is the only question in the case, because 1t
is not to me, as it IS 20 his clearer intuition,
self evident proposition thatthe annexation
of Texas would be blessing. | can con-
ceive an enlargement OF territory, burtened
with incumbrances, or attended by conditions
which would render il curse; and this seems
TO me very clearly one of those cases where
the onus prO6dNtii lies upon the affirmative,
both as regards helegaIity and the expedien-
cy of the measure.
As have already said, either that unlucky
hammar, or Some secret misgivings, prevent
gentlemen f:om giving usl he argument on this
point, and we are left TO gather it partly from
broken and mysterious hints here, and part
ly from certain declarations promulgated last
wear from the court end of the avenue, with
the solemnity of oracular authority, or orac-
ular distinutness. The argument, then, COM
piled from these various sources, divides IL
self into four propositions. say four, SIR
because the reasons assigned for the anneXa-
tion of Texas, on grounds Of military securi-
" are too weak and puerile TO impose Tor
moment on any man possessed oil Inc slI,aii-
est notions of the principles ofstrategy. Gen.
Jackson, whose authority is relied upon as
decisive OH this point, however brave as
soldier. or skilful as a tactician, has never
given any evidence ofstrategical talent: BE.
Sides. it is said that Gen. Jackson himself,
twenty-five years ago, when in the full ENJOY
ment of unimpaired mentalfaculties, declared
the possession of Texas unimPoriant IN
military point of view; and appeal from
General jackson in decriptude to General
jackson in the vigor of his intellect
But it is said that the annexation OF Texas
will. first, promote the cause of emancipation
in the northerumost slaveholding States, and
Delaware, Maryland, Virginia. Kentucky and
perhaps North Carolina and Tennessee, VIII
soon become free States. Secondly, IT Will
enlarge American commerce, and furnish
vast market for the sale and consumption oil
northern manufactures. Thus far annexation
is Northern question. Thirdly, it will ex.
tend the area of freedom. This is hybrid
question, and Northern or S0thern, accord-
ing to the position Of the spectator, with re-
gard to Mason and Dixon's line Fourthly,
and lastly, it will extend, fortify, and perpet-
uate the peculiar institution-the especial