Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-02-21

into the body polite of an equal portion OF exotic
slavery and that the decline of the latter through
the operation of benefcent causes, kindly placed
beyond the control of man, should be retarded by
subiecting to its desolating influence new regions
acquired by purchase, or fraud, or force, dates
its discovery from that period long subsequent to
the establishment of the government.
Having shown that the constitution was not
designed to uphold slavery and that such con-
struction of it derives no aid from contemporane-
Gus authority, this convention finds, in the pur-
poses for which the general government was eS-
tablished, further insuperabe objections to the
measure under consideration
What were those purposesl They are declar-
ed on the first page of the constitution. They
are to establish Justice, ensure domestic tram
guilty, provide for the common defence, secure
the blessings of liberty to themselves and their
posterity' These are the declared objects for
which the government was ordained. Are any
of these ends promoted by the extension of slave
ryl
Were there no purpose to enlarge the limits Of
domestic servitude, were the executive and the
supporters of his prominent measure content to
leave the evil where the constitution left it, that
is, within its original bounds, it might seem in
vdious for this convention to examine into rela-
tons and condition of things existing in other
States Of the Union, over which Massachusetts
has no control. But it must be remembered that
the inquiry now instituted, by this convention is
forced upon it by an attempt to bring within the
protection of the constitution that which it was
never made to comprehend, and to sustain, by its
power, new, because it did not crush at once
an existing evil. We, therefore, ask the advo-
Gates of the extension of slavery, which of the
great objects ofthe Union they expect to promote
by the success of their undertaking
That the cause of Justice is not advanced, by
the subjugation of one portion ofthe human race
to the despotc power and absolute will of another
portion, is proposition, in the abstract, so man
ifesty true, that its denial, in few and remarka-
BILE instances, is regarded by the comom under
standing of mankind as the melancholy proof of
disordered intellect.
But independently of principles of universal
application, which prohibit the relation of mas
ter and slave, on the ground of infringement of
inalienable rights, there are objections to the pre-
sent scheme for the acquisition ofTexas, deserv-
ing the grave consideration of all who would pre-
serve the honor of the country unstained and
its character free from the reproach of seeking
its own aggrandizement, regardless of the rights
of others.
The history of the revolt of Texas from the
parent country, of its conflicts, of the formation
of an independent government, and of the MAIN
tenance of that government to the present hour,
is history of the achievements of citizens of the
United States upon foreign soil. The boosted
victory of San Jacinto was won by citizens of the
United States, aided by soldiers from its army
The declaration of Texan independence, was
made by citizens of the u States Among the
signers of that instrument, there is to be found
but one name of native inhabitant Of Texas OF
Mexico The chief offices in the government Of
Texas from the beginning have been held by
men long and familiarly known as citizens of the
United States.
Nor was the purpose disguised, from the first
moment of discomfort with the government Of
Mexico, ultimately to effect a union with this
country AS early as 1929, this was publicly
declared to be the object in view, by some ofth
prominent and most influential of the advocates
of annexation. And as ifto Justify and fasten
forever upon the country the imputation that the
government of the United States, disregardinq
the obligations of solemn treaty of amity with
Mexico had connved at the enlistment, within
Ne iurIcdicf1nn Of tic citi1nnc +bo
of Texas, the juxtupostion of its own troops to
the field of battle, on the eve of an engagement
their secession, and their union with the forces
ofTexas, and other acts of alleged hostility tc
Mexico the avowal has been made to the world
by the executive and his minister's that for many
years, the successive administrations of the gov
eminent have sought to enlarge its territory, by
the acquisition of Texas. The belief that the
dismemberment of Mexico was affected for the
purpose of strengthening the institution of slave
ny in this country, is fortified by the fact of the
identity of the immediate causes of that revolu
ton with the objects now sought to be obtained
by the annexation of Texas In the year 1929
the government of Mexico, by law, abolished
slavery throughout its dominions. The pream
bic to the enactment express sentiments and a
VOW motives which shed lusture upon the nobl,
deed. These are its memorable words -
"Be it known that, in the year 1929, bein!
DESTROYS of signalling the anniversary of our in
dependence by an act of national justice and be
ni6cence, which may contribute to the strength
and support of such inestimable welfare, to Sc
cure more and more the public tranquility, AM
reinstate an unfortunate portion of our inhabit
ants in the sacred rights granted them by nature
and may be protected by the nation, under wis
and just laws, be it enacted, that slavery be ex
terminated in the republic"
The new proprietors of Texas, then a depart
ment of Mexico, refused to relinquish thei
slaves, and assumed the attitude of rebellion a
gainst the laws of Mexico
The convention disclaims all hostility or un
kind feeling towards the government or the pee