Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-03-21
TEXAS NOT ANNEXED

TEXAS NOT ANNEXED.
People here generally act as if they were
stunned and parayzed by the act respecting
Texas just passed by Congress. 1t does not
even seem to occur to them that any further re-
sistance is possible. They admit that the South
has bound us hand and foot, and conclude that
any further struggle to break the letters would
be unavailing, and that we had therefore better
wear our chains with the best grace we can.
But what stated in my former communication
is beyond controversy Texas is not yet admitted
to the Union, and her own assent does not adj
nit her. Before she can become part of this
Union, according to either of the plans proposed
by the act, the joint action of both Houses of
Congress, or Of the Senate alone, if the proposed
admission is by treaty, will be necessary.
This is so clear and obvious, that it cannot be
mistaken by any one who will read the act
The president, in his inaugural address, while
congratulating the country upon this act, says,
t" 1t only remains for the two countries to agree
upon terms, to consummate an object so impor-
tant to BOTH If then the representatives Of
the northern States insist on the abolition and
perpetual prohibition of slavery in Texas, and
peace with Mexico, as terms of admission, either
those terms must be submitted to, or Texas will
not be admitted.
The presidents address further says he "shall
endeavor, by all constitutional, honorable, and
appropriate means, to consummate the expressed
will of the people and government of the United
States, by the remuneration Of Texas to cur
Union at the earliest practicable period" Here
he admits that Texas is not annexed and that
acts are still to be done to consummatc the adj
mission. He means, not that he himself has the
power to complete the admission, but that he
will forward the negotiation, the results of which
must be submitted to Congress, before they can
be of any avail.
| have insisted on the point have advanced,
because though too clear to admit of opposing
argument, the friends of Texan annexation exul.
tingy represent the deed as virtually consumma-
ted, and its opponents despondingly acquiesce in
the conclusion. But many battles have been
won after they were considered desperate. And
in this case, all that is necessary to fill the hearts
of the leaders and the soldiers with hope and un.
yielding courage.
There seems to be an impression, even among
those opposed to annexation, that an act of Con
gress binds us in honor to oppose annexation nc
longer; that that act having authorized Texas tc
form a tate tolerating slavery, we ought ne
farther to insist on the abolition of slavery as q
condition of admission. But the Texans know
that an act of Congress can be repealed They
know, too, that the act does not admit them
that it merely contains proposition to them tC
form state constitution, to be submitted tC
Congress. According to the painest principle.
governing the law of contracts, until the accep.
lance of their constitution by congress, the prop.
osition may be withdrawn. | say to a man,
will sell you my house, provided we can agree
on the terms, and he then offers to buy it on Ger
tain terms | can without improperly reject hi'
terms and withdraw my offer. If had proposed
to sell on certain terms, and he had assented tt
them, then both parties would be bound. Here
the act does not specify at all the form of consi
tuition under which Texas may be admitted. |
Congress does not approve the constitution, o
course no admission can take place
Besides, a treaty by which nation undertake.
Ito perform criminal act is not binding. X
disregard its obligations is duty. This is plaiI
principle of morality, sanctioned by the genera
consent of writer's ON the law of nations Even
therefore, should we regard the act of Congress
as proposition for treaty between the Unitet
STATES and Teyas and therefore Of differen
character from ordinary legislation, still, so ia
from its binding the North to tolerate slavery i
Texas south of the Both degree of Meth latitude
, it still remains our duty to resist to the utmo.
this atrocious crime against God and man,
the same manner as if the act were silent Q
, this subject
Still further, the act of Congress in questio
IS panifestiy unconstitutional, invading the treat
making power of the Senate. Those who re
gard it in this light surely cannot be bound by i
Because Congress has usurped a power nc
granted to it by the constitution, because a M
iority of one has been obtained in the Senate t
the bill by treachery and corruption, are W
bound in honor to submit to the outrage M
} Justice, humanity and religion all command us t
a resist
Let Texas, then, form her State constitution
and knock at the doors of Congress for admission
} The unCompromislng answer of the free State
S should be No, never, till slavery is abolishe
now and forever throughout your territory. S
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