Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-10-23

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I submit whether some provision should not be
made, which shall give remedy, better suited to
the nature of the case-a remedy which shall ind
its means Of enforcement in an appeal, in some
form. to the conscience of the receiver Of unlawful
interest.
Our connection with the Federal Union whose
power reaches, and deeply affects, our interests
makes it our right aud cur duty, frequently to re-
view its legislation, and subject its policy, present
aud prospective, TO examination. This duty has
never been imperative than at the present mo-
ment, not only account OF the great Importance
of the questions in issue before the country, but
from consideration of the obvious and increasing
tendency to a course of Federal administration,
wholly partzan in its character and so bent on Sc
curing sectional ascendancy, or mnstering to pur-
poses Of political ambition, as to lose sight, too Of
ten, Of the just limits of constitutional power.
Since the last session Of the General Assembly,
an important step has been taken towards the an
nexaton Of a foreign government to our Conieder-
acy This has been done by the adoption OF JOINT
resolution by Congress, declaring its consent that
the territory properly included in, and rightiuly
belonging to, the republic Of Texas, may be erect
ed into a new State in order that the same may be
admitted as one Of the States ofthis Union. This
consent is declared to be given upon the condition
that the constitution to be formed by the people of
Texas, shall be transmitted to the President of the
United States to be laid before Congress for its f.
nal action, on before the first of January,
next, and with provision, among others, that new
States Of convenient size, and having sufficient pop
ulaton may, by the consent of said State be form
ed out Of the territory thereof, and entitled to adj
mission under the provisions OF the Federal Consti-
tuition
To this resolution there was added another, to
the effect that if the President should deem it most
advisable, instead Of submitting the foregoing
luton to the Republic OF Texas, as an overture for
admission, to negotiate with that Republic, then
that the admission might be effected either by trea-
ty TO be submitted to the Senate or by articles to
be submitted to the two Houses of Congress- as
the President might direct.
Upon the passage of these resolutions, the Presi-
dent proceeded to act upon the first, and forthwith
submitted it to Texas, overture for its admis-
sion, Upon the receipt of the overture, conven-
ton called, which has formed constitution,
which has been submitted TO the people of Texas
for their action the 18th of the present month
1t will probably be ratified and submitted to the
Congress of the United States at its next session,
for the approval, which is an indispensable pre-re-
qusite to admission into the Union.
The question Of annexation being thus an open
question, the States may, with view to its Anal
decision, well in reference to their duty upon
possible consummation Of the measure, properly
subject it to the ordeal of severe scrutiny. deem,
therefore, apology necessary for inviting to it
your particular attention, nor for the expression of
my conviction that Vermont should firmly resist
cry advance towards the contamination of meas
ure so utterly subversve of her rights as member
Of the existing Confederacy.
This medtated invasion Of our rights is not to be
regarded or treated, as an ordinary violation of
the Constitution for which there may be consti-
tutona remedy in the nterposition Of the Judicial
power. No Judicial power can steotuaHy reach the
case. Let the deed be done,-the foreign State adj
mitted, aud its Senators and Representatives be
actually in Congress- and, practically decision of
the Supreme Court would be poweress. The truth
is, the measure is essentially revolutionary 1t is
fraud upon the Constitution and utterly subver-
sive of it-changing essentially our domestic Fed
eral relations, and creating a new union, of which
neither the present. Constitution nor mutual conf
dence will constitute the bond; union whose only
bond will be- the apprehended evils of actual sepa
ration, since it is impossible that confidence az
lection can exist where there is abiding sense of
fragrant injustice and usurpation.
Much has been said in regard to the 'compFomi-
SEES of the Constitution in favor of Slavery and
sensitive are the South on this subject-so tena-
ciOus of the concessions wrung from the North, as
the price of the Union that the bare proposal by
the legislature of Massachusetts, to amend the Con-
stitution, by aboshing the slave representation in
Congress, has been denounced as little less than
treason to the Union. But this very compromise
carries with it an irresistible argument against the
measure Of annexation slight consideration Of
the subject will render it apparent, that the COM
promise securing a slave representation, must have
had reference to a union within the then limits of
the United States, because it concerned sectional
interest the adjustment of which, in the comprom-
Use, must necessarily, have had respect to definite
territorial limits--oherwise the balance might be
destroyed aud the compromise practically nullifed
by the addition Of foreign slave States, giving to
the slave interest an unlocked for aud pernanen,
prepOnderance i'm the Union