Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-03-14


Louisiana. Experience has shown that they
were not well founded The title of numerous
Indian tribes to vast tracks Of country have been
extinguished New territories have been Great
f ed, and our jurisdiction and laws extended over
them. AS our population has expanded, the
Union has been cemented and strengthened. AS
our boundaries have been enlarged and our agrl-
cultural population has been spread over large
surface, our federatiye system has acquired adj
} dtiona strength and security. 1t may well be
doubted whether it would not be in greater
danger of overthrow, if our present population
were confined to the comparatively narrow limits
of the original thirteen States than it is, now
they are sparsey settled over an extended terri
tory. 1t is confidently believed that cur system
may be safely extended to the utmost bounds Of
our territorial limits and that as it shall be ex-
tended, the bonds Of our Union, so far from being
weakened, will become stronger.
None can fail to see the danger to our safety
and future peace, if Texas remains an indepen-
dent State or becomes an ally of some foreign
nation more powerful than herself Is there one
among our citizens who would not prefer perpet-
ual peace with Texas, to occasional wars, which
50 often occur between bordering independent
nations! Is there one who wond not prefer free
intercourse with her, to high duties on all our
products and manufactures which enter her ports
or cross our frontiers! Is there one who would
not prefer unrestricted communication with her
citizens, to the frontier distractions which must
ebo min ont of
ever is good or evil in the local institutions of
Texas will remain her own, whether annexed to
the United States or not None Of the present
States will be responsible for them, any more
than they are for the local institutions of each
other They have conlederated together for
certain specified objects. Upon the same prin-
cpe that they would refuse to form perpetual
union with Texas because Of her local institu-
tons, our forefathers would have been prevented
from forming our present Union. Perceiying no
valid objection to the measure and many reasons
for its adoption, vitality affecting the peace, the
safety, and the prosperity Of both countries, l
shall, on the broad principle which formed the
basis and produced the adoption of our constitu-
ton, and not in any narrow spirit Of sectional
policy, eadeavor, by constitutional, honorable,
and appropriate means, to consummate the. eX-
press will of the people and government of the
United States, by the remuneration Of Texas to
orr Union at the earliest practicable period.
Nor will it become in less degree my duty
to assert and maintain, by all constitutional
means, the right Of the United States to that por-
ton of our territory which lies beyond the Rocky
Mountains Our title to the country of the Or
egon is "clear and unquestonable, and already
are the people preparing to perfect that title, by
occupying it with their wives and children.-- but
eighty years ago, our population was confined on
the west by the ridge of the Alleghanies. With
in that time----wthin the lifetime might say, OF
some of my hearers----our people, increasing to
many millions, have filled the eastern valley OF
the Mississippi; adventures ascend the Missouri
to its head springs; and are already engaged in
establishing the blessings of self government In
the valleys of which the waters flow to the Pa
ciic. The world beholds the peaceful triunlphs
of our emigrants TO us Leongs the duty OF
protecting them, adequately, wherever they may
may be upon our soil The jurisdiction of our
laws, and the benefits Of our republican insttu-
tons, should be extended over them in the dis
tant regions which they have selected for their
homes. The increasing facilities of intercourse
will easily bring the States, of which the iorma-
ton in that part Of our territory cannot be long
delayed, within the sphere of our federatve
Union In the mean time, every obligation I'M
posed by the treaty or conventional stipuatons
should be sacredly respected
In the management Of our foreign relations, II
will be be my aim to observe careful respect for
the rights of other nations, while our own will be
the subject of constant watchfulness. Equa
and exact nstce should characterize all our inter
course with foreign countries. All alliances that
have a tendency to leopard the welfare and honol
of our country, or sacrifice any one OF the nation
al interests, will be studously avoided; and ye
no opportunity will be lost of cultivatlng favor
able understanding with foreign governments, by
which our navigation and commerce may be eX
tended, and the ample products Of our fertile soil
as well as the manufactures Of our skiliul artl
sans, find ready market and remunerating pric
es in foreign countries.
In taking "care that the laws be faithfully ex
ecuted," strict performance of duty will be ex
acted from all public officers From those off
GERS, especially, who are charged with the col
lection and disbursement fthe public revenue
will promt and rigid Accountability be required
Any culpable failure or delay on their part t.
account for the moneys entrusted to them, at tn
time and in the manner prescribed by law, will
in every instance, terminate the connection c
> such delaulting officer with the government.
Although, in our country, the chief magistrat
must almost of neeessity be chosen by party
;, and stand pledged to its principles and measures
yet in his official action, he should not be hePre
= ident of party only, but of the people of tn
:, whole United States.--Whe he executes tn
= laws with an impartial hand, shrinks from n
proper responsibility, and faithfully carries out
= the Executive department of the government, til
= olo- ,,J ,ol;cv &c tbocn ,ybo bnva cboen