Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-10-16

great and fatal concession Of the slave represent
ation-by whose votes in Congress almost every
question affecting the relative interests of the slave
| and non-sluveholding States including the question
| of annexation has been decided no thought was
any where entertained, of extending the bounds
Of slavery beyond the then limits of the United
States It was on the contrary, the universal ex-
pectaton that slavery would decline, and at no dis
| tunt period, cease to mar our Federal Union 1t
was in the spirit of this anticipation that 1t was
declared, in the articles of compact embodied in
the celebrated Ordinance fCongress of ~ for the
government of the Territory North West OF the Ri
yer Oho--which passed with but one dissenting
vote that "there shall be neither slavery nor in
voluntary servitude therein, otherwise than in the
punishment of crimes" And what still more str-
kingly evnces the spirit Of those times, and the
true bearing of that ordinance in respect to slavery,
the preamble to the articles of compact declared,
that they were ordained FOR extending the iunda-
mental principles of civil and religious liberty
which form the basis whereon these republics, their
laws and constitutions are erected"
If it had been asserted in the Convention that
formed the Constitution, hat undter the clause de-
Glarng that I" new States may be admitted by the
Congress into this Union" foreign slave States
might and would come in, it is very manifest that
the clause would not have been adopted without an
express negaton of such a construction much
more, that provision for the representation Of
been permitted place in 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 Consttu-
ton, entered into no ones conceptions, and would
have been expressly guarded against, If suggested
from any qu0ret.
1t follows that every assertion by the South of
the sacredness Of the slave representation cOmpro-
mise, is an argument out of its own mouth, that
the Introduction of foreign slave States into he'U n
ion is, itself violation Of the compromises OF the
! Constitution. And it Furthermore follows, that
such PRODUCTION of foreign slave States, IN effect
discharges the North from its obligation to con-
tnuance of the slave Representatives. representa-
ton sufficiently onerous when confined TO the Con-
StituiionaL Union, but inoerable when extended to
a nep Union, formed by The introduction OF lore
ign slave States, for the purpose OF perpetuatlng
the dominion of the slave power. Let the South
either relnquish the unrighteous advantage of the
slave representation or cease to press tor The ad-
mission of foreign slave States. To claim both Is
an aggravaton of injustice, equalled only by that
Of the system for whose support and continuance 1t
! is perpetraed.
Equally unjust and absurd is il to claim exc.
cution of the constitutional stipulaons for the sur
render OF iugitives from oppression, and for pro-
lection against domestic violence, while the right
is claimed and exercised, to augment and perpetu-
ate Indefinitely, the burden of these obligations,
by the annexation of foreign slave States to the
| Union.
Slavery, moreover, is an element of weakness, in
viting invasion, which the Constitution binds the
nation TO repe, in whatever quarter it may threat
en-. How long, and to what extent this obligation
is to be binding, may hereafter become question.
| The advocates Of annexation would do well now,
to consider it as they would also, the question, to
what extent there shall be maintained, at an
nous expense, navy to prevent The coastwlse slave
trade, destined to acquire unwonted activity under
| annexation policy.
70 these motives for resisting the consumma-
ton of the threatened measure, must be added Its
| injustice to Mexico, and the disgrace of perpetra-
ting it, because she is unable to resist And to rem
der this injustice the more fragrant, and the grasp
| ing spirit in which the whole annexation move
ment originated, and has been conducted, the more
manifest, it would now seem that the Executive is
pushing claim to territory as part OF Texas
clearly beyond any limits ever assigned TO the de-
parment of that name, and not even in possession
of the government to whom the overture for annex
alton has been made.
The impotence Of Mexico Tay be to US an eff
fectual protection. We are probably safe from the
injury her sense of wrong may prompt her to in
fct. But who shall protect us from the just judg-
ment of an impartial world, or blot the stain of i'll
Justice from the pages of our countrys history.
In reference to the position sometimes taken, that
the action already had upon the subject of annexa-
ton, concludes from further opposition to the
measure, it is sufficient to say, that no,rght can be
concluded by any action, Of the character of that
legislation under which the overture 10 Texas has
been made. 1t is an attempt to annex by joint res
olution of Congress-the unconstltutlonaiy OF
which was so apparent, that it became necessary
ID connect with 1t an alternative resolution provld
ing for annexation by treaty. 1t was by the union
OF such an alternative that conscientious scfpples
as TO annexation by joint resolution were quoted,
though the alternative left it in the power of the
President to give effect he has done to the joint
resolution itself, and thus do the very thing which
those scruples would not allow could DO done.
We have, thus, double violation of the Consti-
tuition; to which must be added the fact that the
President elect made his appearance at the scene
of action and turned the trembling SCALE by throw
ing into it the weight of his incoming official pat,
ronage.
Shall such an act, carried by such means have
the effect in this free country, of concluding and
senclng opposition to an unconsummated meas
ure? Let the spirit of Free intelligent and,unsub
dued Vermont answer
Ard where will Vermont soon be, if the policy of
foreign annexation is to prevail, and become the
settled policy of the country? She will be in the
condition of an appendage of vast slave empire,
embracing not Texas only, but California aud f. !
nally every part OF Mexico-all of which will be
overrun by slave holders, who will, in due time de-
clare independence, and claim and obtain admission
into the Union. lido.
But annexation may be consummated! Slavery
may triumph. 1t may secure majority in the Sen
ate of the United States 1t may annul the com
promises Of the Constitution, and destroy the bond
that holds these States together. What. then,
shall Vermont do? What it will be her righfto
do, admits OF no question. If, from regard to
peace, she shall forbear to exercise her right it
should be with solemn declaration to the Union
and the world, that she thereby acknowledges no
right of annexation, and forbears from no diminish.
ed conviction that it will subvert the Constitution,
and essentially destroy the Union of which it is
the bond; and that she reserves the right OF such
future action, as circumstances may suggest
But in the event of annexation, there will remain |
great practical duty for to perform. 1t will be,
10 go to the very verge Of our constitutional power
to effect the abolition of slavery, as "lhe chief
evil in our country, and the great crime of our
age" Slavery will, by annexation, have been la
ken under tho enprial nrntnction of tho national