Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1845-10-23

~ uN"uA iEtleu, 0tatc 10 NM our
Federal Union. II was in the spin,
OF tins anticipation that !, was d,clor.
ei, ~ the articles of compact cmbodicd
~ the cclchfated Ordinance of Con
grcss Of 81 for the government Of the
( Territory North West ol the River
ohlo-which tas sod with hut one DIS
senllng vote that there shall hc nci.
thcr slavery nor involuntary Scrvitudc
therein, otherwise than III the punish.
n'eni Of crimes And what still more
Siriklngly cviuccS the spirit Of those
Tunes, and the trIp bearing of that or
dInnnce IN resp,c TO slavery, the pre-
arnbe 10 the articles Of compact dc
ciared, that they were ordained for
extending the fundamental principles
Of civil and religious liberty which
form NE basis whcrron these rcpul-
'ic>, Her laws aul constitutions aic
crccteI."
II II had been asserted in the Con-
vcntlon that formed the Constitution.
TINT under the clause declaring that
new States may be admitted By the
Congress IN tins Union," foreign slave
States might and would come IN, il is
very manifest that the clause would
not have been adopted without an ex-
press ncgatlon of such n construction
much more, that provision for the
representation Of three hilhS of the
slave popnIat on would not have been
permitted place III the Constitution.
The fact that such provision was
made Is, therefore, conclusive evidence
that the admission into the Union of
foreign slave States under the Consti
tuition, entered into no ones conccp-
tons, and would have been expressly
guarded against, if suggested from any
quarter.
1t follows that every assertion bv the
South OF the SacredneSs of the slave
representation compromise, is an ar
gumcnt out OF It's own mouth. that the
introduction OF foreign slave States in
10 the Union is, itself a violation of the
compromises of the Constitution. And
1t furthermore follows, that such intro
ductlon OF foreign slave States, in effect
discharges the North from It's obliga-
tlon 10 continuance of the slave rep
RESERVATION "A representation sufficient
~ onerouS when confined to the Con
stltutlonal Union, but lntolcrablc when
extended 10 new Union. formed nv
the introduction Of foreign slave States.
Tor tie purpose of perpctua,iny the do.
mInion OF the slave power. Let the
South either rclinqush the unripht.
couS advantage of the slave represent
alton, or cease to press for the admiS
sion o; foreign slave States. TO claim
both is an aggravatlon of Injustice,
cquallcd on y by that of the system
Tor whose support and continuance i,
is perpetratcd.
Equally unjust and absurd is it to
claim an execution of the constitutions
al stlpulatlons for the surrender of fu-
gltves from oppression, and for the
protection against domestic violence.
while the night is claimed and exercis-
ed, TO augment and perpct,atc indefi-
nitely, the burden Of these obligations.
by the annexation Of foreign slave
States to the Union.
Slavery, moreover, is an element of
weakness, inviting 'nvuslun. which Tie
Constitution binds the nation To rcpcl !
IN Whatever quarter IT may threaten. /.
How long, and To what extent this OBJ 7
llgallon IS to be binding, nay hercal-
ter become a question. The advocates |
OF annexation would do well now. TO
consider 1t; ms they would also, the I.
question, TO what extent there shall be /
maintained, at an ENORMOUS expense.
navy to prevent the coastwiSc slave 1.
Trade, destined to acquire mwonted
activity under annexation policy.
10 these motives for resisting the |
conSIlmmnllon OF the threatened meas |
urc. must be added its Injustice 10
Mexico, and the disgrace of pcrpetrat-
ing 1t, because She !. unable to resist.
And 10 render this injustice the more /
fragrant, and the grasping spirit in
which the swhole annexation move .
mcn' originated, and has been conduct
ed, the more manifest, IL would now
seem that the Executive is pushing a .
claim to territory rs n part Of Texas. /,
clearly beyond any limits ever assign
eel TO the department of that name. and
not even IN possession of the govern /
ment 10 whom the overture for annex. |
atIon has been made.
The impotence of Mexico mav be- to
us an chcctu1l protection We are
probably safe from the injury her sense .
OF wrong may prompt her to infllct.- .
But who shall protect us from the lust .
Judgment Of an impartial world, or
blot the STAIN of injustice from the pa
ges Of our countrys history.
In reference 10 the position some I
times taken, that the action already had .
upon the subject Of annexation, pre- /
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