Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-03-07
SPEECH OF MR. GEO. P. MARSH, OF W.,
on THE ANNEXATION OF TEXAS.

ON THE ANNEXATION OF TEXAS.
Delivered in The House OF Representatives., 4. s.,
IN Committee Of The Who'e on the State of the Un-
ion Jan. 90 1915.
MIR. CHAIRMAN: 1t is u remarkable feature of
the debate III which we engaged, that while we
have abundance of argument, or rather apology for
argument, in support of the power of Congress TO
annex foreign State by legislation, the advocates
OF the measure seem, in general, quite reluctant to
enter upon lis merits, MS question of expedioncv
have waited for some days, in anxious eXpecta.
ZION, that the Jealous friends Of annexation would
state fully the arguments i'll its favor. 1t is quite
obvious that there is deep and controlling mo-
tive for thus urging the precpitate action of Con.
gress on this appeal TO the popular branch from the
solemn Judgment OF the Senate, in u matter en-
phatIcally within It's proper cognizance But for
some unexplained reason, it is not thought proper
to declare this particular motive, or TO cntrust the
House and the nation with the entire arru,nent in
favor of the consolidation of these two independ-
ent soSereigntes. Some obscure hints we hive
had In the course of the debate, and in another
place pretty full development of no doubt the
most cogent and persuasive reasons for the meas.
ure, but with the brilliant exception of the elooppnt
gentleman from South Carolina, (Mr. Holmes and
one or two others, the gentlemen who have suppor-
ted it, have trodden very gingerly, while PASSING
over this branch of the subject
The gentleman from Alabama, Mr. Yancev0 to
whose ability and eloquence | am disposed TO rem
der full justice, gave us the other day sample of
the sort of augmentation, which is relied upon as
etectua in conSirGintng the support of Southern
gentlemen, who might otherwise be disposed 10 act
from higher impulses than spirit of Difference to
local dictation; and the Globe has declared. that
while the Northern Democracy should be tenderly
handled IN discussing both this great subject and
that OF The tariff, the recreant Southcrner who in
dcated disposition TO emancipate himself from
the influence OF sectional views on these subjects,
should be frightened back into his propriciy, by
the terrors OF public denunciaton as a renegade
and traitor a distinguished Souhorner once 6oos.
ted, that the South ruled us of the North by means
OF our own "whte slaves" and the action of some
Northern members Of Congress in the Missouri
controversy gave too much countenance to the truth
Of tins gasconadc. According to the decree of The
Hobe. the experiment of dragoonng which is al
lodged to have been successful with the North is
now TO be tried upon the recusant portion of the
South while the doubtful Northern States are TO be
cajoled into the admission of Texas and the aban-
donment of the protective policy, by fair speeches
and honeyed words. The result of this interesting
experiment IN practical politics we shall soon see,
and it will be u curious speculation TO learn whelh-
er it be custer to coax Northcrner or to coerce
Southron
The eloquent gentleman from Alabama howev-
er, did not follow the precise line now recommend
ed by the Globe. lie was, indeed sufficiently lib
eral IN his denunclatlons of his faithless brethren
but was not altogether complimentary to us of the
North. He informed us that the Southern master
ruled his slave by divine appointment; and from
the views he expressed of the superior oualifca.
tons of Southern men for all official stations, as
conrasted with our humber professions, he allow
ed us to draw the inference that he held the South
to be also dlvnely entitled to dictate law TO our in
terior natures. We of the North entertain n he
redllary Jealousy Of all who claim to rule by divine
right Divine right is the alleged foundation of
a ~ NJ oil .
image and slperscriptlon of the coin of Henry
VIII, or OF Charles H., you will find that even
those blood stained and prohiaate tyrants claimed
to reign Shy the grace Of God" But if we NAV
rely on the authority of certain notes appended TO
the newspaper reports Of the gentleman's remarks
he intended, had he not been arrested by the ex
plation OF his hour, to give us u per contra sta,e
ment of the manifold humble virtues and erceIIen.
cles OF The people of the North There is some
thng DID, almost omlnous, in the frequent coinc-
dences between the entrance of gentlemen upon
delicate topics, and the fall of the Speakers ham
mer' II has happened repeatedly in the course of
this debate, that gentlemen have been preu,aturolv
cut OH IN The very bower Of their eloQuence lust
at the commencement of conclusive argument in
support of the eXpediency of annexation; and
mueh lear TINS unhappy houry limitation will de.
prVe us altogether of the opportunity of hearing
that branch of this great question discussed. In
one OF the notes to the gentemans speech. i, is
su'u 'lat MS remarks upon the North were intend.
ed TO have special reference to the New England
states or rather to Massachusetts and for the
sake OF that ancient, and, until now, reputable
commonwealth, 1t Is much to be lamented, that the
honorable gentleman was not allowed time TO make
Out his balance sheet, and show us what precise a
mount OF credit she is entitled to for revolutionary
services for the ingenuity of her degenerate sons,
the vulgar artcers of the East, in fabricatng bro
gahs' Kentucky jeans, negro cloths, cotton gins and
| MOOupn rlnrka md x.ira airarS
well as for their punctuality in paying Southern
gentlemen for their Chiffon and tohaccn Al il Ia