The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-11-28
Report & Resolutions on Slave
nv and the Mexican War.

-
of Slavery and the Mexican War, remind
ing the reader that the preamble and resoiu'
lions were adopted by both Houses, and thai
il is therefore to be understood that vernon
| has deliberately taken her stand against the
, admission of new slave states, and formally
appealed to her sister states TO join her IN this
, important STEP At least, the Wing party of
the State has taken and will maintain this
stand
Your Committee TO which was referred 80
much of the Governors Message as relates
TO Slavery and the Mexican War, begs leave
TO report:
That no subject within the jurisdiction OF
the Federal Government appeals so strongly
to the feelings and weighs so heavily upon
the hearts other citizens as slavery. 10 say
that thew utterly abhor the inherent injustice
and inhumanity of Slavery, and the cruelty
and crimes which are its incidents, ana earn-
esty desire the emancipation OF the slaVes'nS
measure which is in their judgment practi-
cable, safe and full of mercy and blessings 10
both master and save-would be only 10 re-
peat truths which by the bold utterance OF
her sons and daughters, and the oft repeated
record of Legislative resolutions, have become
as familiar as household words in every sec
ton of the Union. il is therefore deemed
unnecessary TO enlarge upon this part OF the
subject, or TO repeat the resolutions when
have frequently been adopted
But your Committee heartily concur IN the
views ofhs EXcellcncy the Governor, ana
believes that there are other and new features
connected with the institution Of Slavery,
whigh are Recommending interest TO us as
Legislators, and imperatively demand the ac-
ton ofthe State. The annexation OF Texas
to the Union, in violation Of the Constitution,
has been consummnted. For that wrong
done to the constitution we know of no REM
edy, unless by some possible contingency the
highest judicial tribunal of the nation, may be
brought TO pronounce judgment upon the act.
We perceive no mode in which Vermont can
secure that end; and so far as she is concern
ed, therefore, the work of annexation seems
to be irrevocably determined. 1t is from that
act, however, that the new features proceed
which demand our attention.
Your Committee is impressed with the
conviction that the annexation OF Texas ana
the conquest ofMexico are parts of stu
pendous scheme, designed for the perpetual
lion and extention Of Slavery, and the per-
mauent establishment ofa political policy IN
the nation. subservient in all its features to
this atrocious design A brief allusion TO
grounds of this impression. Texas sought
annexation with pledge TO divide the terri
tory into free and slave States; but when the
act was contaminated, we found the whole
of Texas admitted as a single State, with n
constitution not only tolerating the institution
of Slavery, but containing one Of the most
horrible provisions which ever was invested
with the form of law-an absolute prohibit
ton 10 any future change, which shall abolish
the system of human servtudc. The next
step in the progress ofevenis was an enlarge
ment ofthe territory ofthe State of Texas,
which is ofcourse to come within the juris-
diction ofthis remarkable constitution-by
claiming all the land lying between the Neu-
ces and the Rio Grande. This claim was
followed speedily by practical refusal, by
the President of the United States, to settle
the claim and the question oiboundary by ne
gotiaIon; and in quick succession came the
march of our army through the disputed ter
ritory and the erection of batteries with can
non pointed into Mexican city and upon in
disputable Mexican Territory. The existing
war was thus directly provoked by the Exec
ulve; it came speedily, without even the form
of declaration by any competent authority
it was simply recognized by Congress I'M
der the pressure of peculiar circumstances
and under the simple recognition ofthe war,
the Executive is employing the army and ma
w, with zeal, bravery and skill worthy of
nobler cause, in conquering and summarily
annexing town after town and territory after
territory, to the United States. We cannot
shut our eyes TO the fact that this war was TO
mented by the same sectional interests which
forced Texas into the Union, and now sug
gests that it be divided into t,co slave Suites
nor resist the conclusion, that it is part and
parcel of the Texas scheme. Is it not obvi-
nu fhaf ifARfn Of fnlIOW-
ed by the migration -holders,and that
states will arise with constitutions framed TO
perpetuate the abominable institution Of slave
nv and claim admission into the Union on e.
quail terms with Texas? And shall the nom
sayehOlding States submit to this? Is the
vast Territory of Mexico to become a part of
the Federal Union? Is it to be made one vast
market for slaves? Are the present States
ofthe Union to DE overwhelmed with new
territory acquired by force; and with vast
population entirely untitled by ignorance and
degradation for the high privileges ofcitizens
OF the Union? Measures of this kind are di
ametrically opposed TO the great objects for
which the constitution purports to have been
formed obviously, they tend to dissolution
ofthe Union-to disturb domestic tranquility
to bring upon us the hostility ofthe whole
civilized world, and to endanger the blessings
ofliberty, which it was the design of The faith
ers ofthe Republic to secure to themselves
and their posterity.
Your committee believe that it is unneces-
sary TO enlarge upon this topic: dangers So
vast and imminent need but to be named in
order to awaken the liveliest apprehensons
of every lover of liberty, and to press him TO
the nest effectuad means ofavertng them.
With such evidence before them ofa deter
animation to make Slavery the chief element