Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-02-14

annexation on the precedents of Louisiana and
Florida 1t is not to be denied that those prece-
dents are often allowed to have influence, with
out full consideration of all the circumstances
which may make them rather exceptions to a
general rule than regular emanation from 1t.
Louisiana was acquired under very particu-
lar circumstances totally distinct from those
which pertain to the present case, or can well
exist in any other case circumstances affecting,
and liable to affect, as well the peace Of the
country as the useful enjoyment of its acknowl-
edged territory Every one saw the Importance
of the control ofthe mouth ofthe Missssppi eve
ry one saw that while foreign government held
Louisiana, we commanded no outlet to the sea,
from all the vast and fertile regions Of the West
With Spain we had had difficulties, menacing
war. 1t was obvious that our western region,
filling up with such wonderful rapidly, by en-
terprisng citizens whose necessities for a pass
age to the ocean were increasing with their own
population and their own products, would never
refrain from insisting at whatever hazard, on
the flee use of the greatest river in the world,
along whose banks and among whose tributaries
it was situated from its sources to its mouth.
The acquisition Of Louisiana was measure
Of Mr. Jefferson's administration. He himself
appears not to have had the slightest idea that it
would ever be admitted into the Union, without
an alteration of the constitution. Such altera-
ton Of the constitution was certainly contem-
plated and even recommended by him but the
posture Of things at the moment, and the general
acquiescencc of the country in the attainment Of
what it had so seemed necessary to attain, led to
the ratification of the treaty, and to the subse-
qucnt admission of Louisiana into the Union as
State, without any alteration Of the constit,l-
ton.
Florida was also acquired by treaty. The OBJ
ects of the acquisition were similar to those
which had prevailed in regard to Louisiana, with
this further inducement that the. whole value
of the territory should be paid to citizens of the
United States, who had just claims against the
Spmish government for seizures and spoliations
of property.
These cases, in the Judgment Of this conyen-
ten, do not justify the attempts now made to an
mex Texas. We are not aware that they have ever
been defended upon such grounds as are assumed
in the case of Texas. They stand on reasons pc
cubar to themselves and if, in regard to either
Of them, these peculiar reasons or the urgency
of the case, or the general acquescence Of the
country, either occasioncd or overlooked de-
parture from constitutional principles or provis-
ions, neither of them certainly can be allowed
to have the authority Of general precedent As
cases decided and acted upon, let them stand :
but if they are to be regarded as justfyng author
tiles for other annexations, for which no necessi-
vcxists--anneXations not of territories, but Of
whole nations, then it is Obvious that no man
can foresee what may be the country ofwhich he
is a citizen, or under what fmms Of government
he may hope hereafter to live
II. enumeration is calculated and designed
By the open dcctmatio@ Of its friends, to uphOId
the Interest Of Slar~y crtend its Influence, and
Secure its permanent dnrdtjon"
When the treaty was sent to the Senate, it was
accompanied by an elaborate message from the
president, setting forth its character and objects.
1t was accompanied by parts though meagre and
scanty parts, Of the correspondence which had
preceded its conclusion, Repeated and perse-
vcring calls of the Senate produced, at subsc-
quent successive periods, other and much more
important parts Of the correspondence, Since
the rejection Of the treaty, the secretary Of state
has continued to address, our public ministers
abroad upon the subject and the country has
now before it mass of correspondence, between
the government in Washington and its diplomat
ic agents abroad, and between those agents and
the governments Of Mexico and Texas How
far that correspondence, taken altogether, ex-
hbits ability, dignity, self respect, and respect
for the rights of others how far its general
character reflects honor and credit on the gov
eminent of this country, we willingly abstain
from undertaking to show We refer to it now
only as containing those open confessions and
avowals of which we have already spoken, of the
purpose with which annexation has been propos-
ed, and is now pursued with such unwearied per,
severance.
Here then, is a spectacle, in cur Judgment, a
sad spectacle, not only for the contemplation Of
our own country, but that of the whole civilized
world. These advocates of annexation insist that
not only is slavery an institution desirable itself
| fit to be retained and necessary to be mantaln
ed as blessing to man, but they seem to insis
also, that leading object of the constitution 0
the United States was to guard it, defend it, anC
insure its perpetual duration. Let the consttu
ton of the country be indicated from this impu
tation let its objects and its purposes, its end
and its means be clearly stated and then 1T
lover ofhuman liberty will feel disposed to turn
his back upon it with disrespect The introduc
ton of slaves into the southern States, whi
British colonies, is of early date For that in
PRODUCTION, the mother country is 70 be blamed
more than the colonies themselves Slavery thu
got good footing in the country, and was foun'
existing when the revolution severed the Unite,
States from Great Britain Like other concern
of the States, it was, up the to the time of tn,
adoption ofthe present constitution, subject o
State legislation and regulation. 1t is certain