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

cently onerous when cOnhned 10 the COHStHWiOHut
Union, but intoerable when extended to neto I'm
ion, formed by the introduction Of foreign slave
States, for the purpose Of perpetuatng the domn-
ion Of the slave power. Let the South either re-
linquish the unrgheous advantage ofthe slave rep
resentation, to press for the admission oil
foreign slave States To claim both is an aggra-
yation Of injustice equaed only by that OF the sys-
tenn for whose support aud continuance It IS PerPe-
trated
Equally unjust and absurd is il to claim an exc
cuon of the constitutional stpulations for the sur
render Of fugliyes from oppression and for pro'ec-
ton against domestic violence, while the right IS
claimed and exercised, TO augment and perpetuate,
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 repel, in whatever quarter II may threat
en- How long, and to what extent this obligation
is to be binding, may hereafter become question.
! The advocate Of annexation would do well now,
to consider it as they would also, the question: TO
what extent there shall be maintained, at an enor-
nous expense navy to prevent the coastwise slave
trade destined to acquire unwOnted activity under
annexation policy.
To these motives for resisting the contamination
Of the threatened measure must be added It's mus
tice to Mexico, aud the disgrace Of pcrperating it,
because she is unable to resist. And to render this
injustice the more fragrant, and the graspng spirit
| in which the whole annexation movement orlgna-
ted aud has been conducted, the more manifest, it
would now seem that the Executive is pushing
claim to territory part OF Texas clearly beyond
any limits ever assigned to the department Of that
name, and not even in possession Of the govern
ment to whom the overture for annexation has been
made. The impotence of Mexico may be TO US an
effectual protection. We are probably safe from
the injury her sense Of wrong may prompt her to
inflict. But who shall protect us from the iudg-
ment of an impartial world or blot the stain of ill.,
justice from the pages Of our couniry's hstoryl
In reference to the position sometimes taken,
that the action already had upon the subject Of
annexation concludes US from further opposition to
the measure, it is sufficient to say, that no right
can be concluded by any action, Of the character
Of that legislation under which the overture to
Texas has been made 1t is an attempt to annex
by joint resolution Of Congress-the unconstitu-
tonality of which was SO apparent, that it became
necessary to connect with it an alternative resou-
ton providing for annexation by treaty. 1t was by
the union of such an alternative that conscientious
scruples to annexation by joint resolution were
quieed, though the alternative left it in the power
of the President TO give effect, as he has done, to
the joint resolution itself, and thus do the very
thing which those scruples would not allow could
be 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 il 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
sencing opposition TO unconsummated meas
nre Let the spirit of free, intelligent and unsub.
dued Vermont answer.
And where will Vermont soon be, ifthe policy of
foreign annexation is to prevail, and become the
settled policy of the country! She will be in the
condition of appendage Of vast slave empire,
embracing, not Texas only but California, and f.
nally every part Of Mexico-all Of which will be
overrun by shareholders, who WILL in due time de-
clare independence aud claim and obtain admis-
sion into the Union.
But annexation may be consummaedl Slavery
may triumph 1t may secure majority in the Sem
nate OF the United States. II may annul the COM
promises of the Constitution, and destroy the bond
that holds these States together What, then,
shall Vermont dol What it will be her right to
do, admits Of no question. IL, from regard 10
peace, she shall forbear TO exercise her right, ii
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 snbvert the Constitution
aud essentially destroy the Union of which it is the
bond aud that she reserves the right Of such fu-
ture action, as circumstances may suggest.
But, in the event OF annexation, there will remain
great practical duty for TO perform. 1t will be,
TO 20 to the very verge OF constitutional power
to effect the abolition of slavery, as the chief evil
in our country. and the great crime of our age
Slavery will, by annexation, have been taken under
the special protection of the national government,
aud made in the highest sense, national institu-
ton and lhenceforlh will become Leading and
controlling element in the Union. 1t will then be
seen in stronger and clearer light than it has
been. The success of annexation will have signal
ly illustrated its character and the time is not dis
tan, when it will be able no longer adjust lis in
huence in the scale Of parties, as to maintain its
ascendancy by Northern cooperation; for the
North will have learned the indispensable necessity
of unon in order to roll back the tide Of IFS
patIons and change the policy Of the government
that it shall cease to make the support fsayery
object Of special aud paramount regard. If the
North, for the sake Of peace, shall submit TO annex
| ation the South must submit to the legitimate and
inevitable consequences Of thus forcing, every
where, investigation of the merits of slavery, and
thorough exposure of the impossibility Of main
tanning Union, embracing the hostile aud rrecon-
cilable elements Of slavery and freedom.
have received from the Executives Of several Of
the States. resolutions of their respective legisa-
lures, touching the subject Of annexation, which
shall hereafter communicate for the consideration
Of the General Assembly
hWohH papers 'cSthuu HpH VIC iASSutNcS
of other States is the solemn Declaration and Pro-
test ofthe Commonwealth of Massachusetts, against
the laws of South Carolina, under which, colored
citizens of Massachusetts arrested board her
ships in the harbors of South Carolina, imprisoned
in the jails Of that State, and sold into perpetual
slavery in default of their commanders to give
bonds to redeem them and to pay the expensesof
their deIention-all which Massachusetts asserts Il
in violation Of that clause Of the Constitution of the
United States which declares ihat .ihe citizens of