The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-01-27

gress, unless he sho shall send his or her slave
slaves without the limits of the republic. No FREE
person OF African descent, either in whole in part
shall be permitted 10 reside permanently in the repub
lie, without the of Congress; and the impor-
tation or admission of Africans negroes into th
republic, excepting from The United States Of Amer
ca is for ever prohibited and declared to be piracy
by the resolution for annexng Texas to this Union
reported by the Committee on Foreign Afairs, this
constitution with very few exceptions and none Of
these relating to the question Of slavery is to remain
the permanent law of that country until altered by
Congress l believe most of the other propositions
submitted this session for annexation, contain sub
stanIialiy the same provision.
| While this measure is openly and boldly adyocat-
ed here by the Secretary Of State, and Others the
sure and efectunI means of sustaining slavery, and
preventing its overthrow in Texas ii is hardly be-
coming in us to shut eyes to such papabe facts
and undertake 10 deceive ourselves or others with The
fond delusion that it is 20 aid in the gradual exermin-
alton of slavery here; that by any possibility,
free State ever be formed out of the territory
until slavery has ceased exist in the United States
unless, as have before suggested, such a provision
beone Of the conditions of annexation.
have thus, my fellow citizens, in brief and i'm
perfect Manner laid before you of the reasons
and believe all the substantial reasons. which our
Government have alleged justify ing this measure
Of Annexation To my mind, instead of justifying it,
.hey are eminently calculated to provoke the scorn
Of earth and the judgement Of Iieaven and cannot
consent, 10y any agency Of mine, aid in placing our
beloved country in such an attitude.
When our iorelathers babe last farewell TO the
homes of their childhood the graves Of their fathers
and the temple Of their God, and vcntured upon all
the desperate contingencies of win:ery sens aud a
savage coast, that they might, in strong faith and ar
dent hope, lay deep the foundations of tho temple Of
liberty, their faith would have become scepcism,
and their hope despair could they have foreseen that
the day would ever arrive when their degenerated
sons shoud be found seeking extend their bonn
darios and their Government not for the purpose of
promoting freedom, but sustaining slavery.
With feeling Of unkndness to no one, | have /
spoken plainly to you this subject. 1t seemed 10
me that the time aud the occasion demanded it
Should what have here expressed your appro I
baton, and should that appreciation be expressed at
the polls, shall be most happy in having your up- !
proving voice secondIng my convictions of duty |
But if, on the other hand, YOU shall think differently
from me on this subject; and should, therefore, deem
II eApcdent to select another person TO etfectuate
your purposes in Congress, citizen Of the State
will bow more submissYely 10 your will than my (
self But whatever the future may have in store
nothing can obliterate from my memory the grateful
recoecon-of the many proofs have already had Of
your kindcess, and of the generous coGdence which
you have reposed in Nothing can deprive me
of the consciousness Of having dealt plainly with YOU
have laid before You my sentiments this momcn-
lous subject as palpably they exposed to the
Searcher Of hearts The issue, my fellow-citizens,
is with you. To your will, submit myself And,
that God, who has signaly blessed our highly Ia
vored country, may continue to smile upon u.s. and
lead US all TO just determination Of this question of
such ensrossing md abiding interest, is the ardent
prayer Of Your follow-c citizen and Representa-
tive, JOHN p HALE
House OF REPRESENTATIVE, January, 1915.