Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-01-31
Texas and Democracy;
Letter of Hon. J. p. Hale.

it, and the writer will gain everlasting honors ny
the fearless stand he has taken in tearing off the
mask from the putrid carcass of Texas, and in
speaking his own feelings and sentiments, regard
less of the frowns and Indignation Of the " natu-
raj allies of the south" The democracy of NJ II.
is out upon him in all its fury and mighty effort
4 is being made to immediate him upon the altar off
party, to deter others from a like offence. Mr.
Hale was nominated by the party for reelection,
but since his letter was received, State Conven
ton has been called for the purpose Of casting him
overheard and supplying his place with some one
who will draw better in the party traces, and bel
more willing to 60 and come at the bidding Of the
slave power. Such democracy is n disgrace to the
name and stencil in the nostrils Of every decent
man. Mr.. H. first shows the uncOnstituuonality
Of annexing Texas and secondly, the effect it
would have on slavery. The Legislature of N. H.
passed resolutions at its last session, instructng
their senators and requesting their representatives
to 90 for the annexation of Texas In reply to
one of these resolutions he says:
"If believed in the language of the eighth res
oluton Of our Northumberland ascrbed ORR
ginally to Mr. Clay, believe correctly so-that
the " annexation Of Texas would add more free
than slave States to the Union;" if though such
were the probable consequences to follow such
measure, would most cheerfully use my exertions
TO procure the adoption, by the General Govern
nent of such constitutional measures as should be
best calculated to effect that object"
He then goes on to quote extracts from the let
ters Of Upshur, Calhoun and others, showing that
the express object of annexation is the extension
and perpeuation of slavery.
There is so much eloquence and real manIiness
in the latter part of his letter that we give it en-
tire.
"That you may form some idea Of the proba-
bility of any free State being formed out of that
territory, unless it is provided for by positive law
at the time of its annexation, and made part and
parcel of the conditions upon which it is receiv-
ed into the Union, herewith subioin Article
Q of the general provisions of the Constitution of
Texas :
"All persons ofcolor who were slaves for life
previous to their emigration to Texas, and who
are now held in bondage, shall remain in the
like state of seyitudc provided that the said
, slave shall be the bona fde property of tile per-
son so holding said slave as aforesaid Congress
shall pass no laws prohibiting cmigrants from
bringing their slaves into the republic with them,
and holding them by the same tenure by which
t such slaves were held in the United States nor
shall Congress have power to emancipate slaves,
nor shall any STAKEHOLDER Re allowed to emanci-
pate his her slave or slaves without the consent
t Of Congress, unless he or she shall send his or
her slave or slaves without the limits of the re-
= public. No free person of African descent, Ell
i Their in whole or in part, shall be permitted to re-
, side permanently in the republic, without the
consent Of Congress and the importation or ad-
mission Of Africans or Negroes into this repub-
V lie excepting from the United States Of America,
= is forever prohibited and declared to be pira-
/, cy"
, By the resolution for annexing Texas to this
e Union, reported by the Committee on Foreign
. Affairs, this constitution with very few except
+ ions, and none of these relating to the question
;. Of slavery is to remain the permanent law oil
o that country until altered by Congress- believe
n most of the other propositions submitted at this
= session for annexation contain substantially the
y same provision.
: While this measure is openly and boldly adj
IS vocated here by the Secretary of State, and 9TH
e ers, as the sure and effectual means of sustang
n slavery, and preventing its overthrow in Texas il
re is hardly becoming in us to shut our eyes to sucE
} palpable facts and undertake to deceive ourselye,
J. or others with the fond delusion that it is to aiC
lie in the gradual determination of slavery here, OIL
C that, by any possibility, free State can ever be
III formed out of the territory, until slavery has
IT ceased to exist in the United States, unless, as
; have before suggested, such provision be one
Z Of the conditions of annexation.
e have thus my fellow citizens, in brief anC
y imperfect manner laid before you some of tn,
)" reasons, and believe all the substantial reasons
)" which our Government have alleged as iustfyin!
: this measure of Annexation To my mind, in
" stead of justifyng it, they are eminently calcua
'' ted to provoke the scon of earth and the udg
. ment Of Heaven f.; and cannot consent by an
= agency of mine, to aid in placing our believe,
" country in such an attitude.
When our forefathers babe last farewell t,
- the homes oftheir childhood, the graves of thei
- fathers, and the temple of their God, and ventur
o. ad upon all the desperate contingencies of win
ri try seas and savage coast, that they might, il
70 strong faith and ardent hope lay deep the found
bo ations of the temple of liberty, their faith wou
,o have become scepticism, and their hope despair
:, could they have foreseen that the day would ev
ID er arrive when their degenerated sons should b.
,s found seeking to extend their boundaries AM
their Government, not for the purpose of promot
,o ing freedom but sustaining slavery
in With feeling of unkindness to no one,
n have spoken plainly to you on this subject I
i seemed to me that the time and the occas
e ion demanded it. Should what have here ex
r. pressed meet your approving sacton at thu
polls, I shall be most happy in having you
approving voice seconded by my own con
be victions of duty But if on the other hand, yol
he shall think differently from me on this subject
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