The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-01-14

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exponent of the feelings of the country. And
I will tell gentlemen North and South, that if
these Mexican provinces are to be annexed
to the United States, a question will grow out
of that annexation, momentous in its charac-
ter, and one which may lead to a calamity
greater than the war with Mexico,o or any 9TH
er which has befallen the country. There is
a deep feeling in the country against the ex-
tension Of slavery. There are thousands up
on thousands in the Northern section Of the
Union, land | allude to no fanatics, but to
sober, deliberate and substantial men,-men
who have the good of the country at hearth
who would resist by every means in their pow
err, the establishment of slavery in these Mex
lean provinces, if they should be annexed to
the United States. This feeling is both strong
and deep, and the prosecution of this war of
conquest is contributing daily to the increase
of that feeling. Let this war 60 on-let vic
tory crown our arms,til Mexico will yield up
a large portion of her territory, and | fear
that our success would be more dangerous to
us than defeat; we should have questions of
internal regulation, which would be more diff
fcult to settle than the boundary between US
and Mexico.
The action of this house on the two million
appropriation should teach gentlemen a les
son. When that sum was asked for, the
friends of the President, south Of Mason and
Dixon's line, came forward in a transport at
the glorious prospect of peace and they called
upon us to forget all party ties and 60 with
them in a body, that the President might be
enabled to conclude an honorable treaty. But
when a certain %proviso was Incorporated into
the bill, every man of them took the alarm,
and opposed its passage. They knew at the
time, that, if the executive wanted this mon
ey to bride Paroles, or to hire Santa Anna to
return to Mexico, or to fan the flames of dis
cord or SOW the seeds of revolution in that
country, or if it was wanted for the purchase
of territory, it would be just as available with
that proviso as without. That amendment
applied to but q single subject-the extension
Of involuntary seryitude, and the united vote
of the Presidents friends in the South shows
with what Importance they regarded that pro-
vision. And let me say, Mr. Chairman, that
this question. When it comes before the peo-
pie, the North will be as united as the South.
It will become a question on which there can
be no compromise, and the integrity Of the
Union may be involved in the issue.
The Northen and Southern wings of the
Democratic party ought to deal fairly with
each other on this subject. If the Southern
wing are determined to establish slavery in
any territory they may acquire by the war,let
them inform their Northern friends Of that
determination, that there may be no misun-
lerstanding between them. They owe it to
each other and TO their respective c%onstitu-
ants, to come out plainly upon this subject
neither wing Of the PARTY dareS to com
itself openly; they both know that when ;
ever the come out distinctly, and like men,
declare their determination, they must break
with each other, or with their own respective I
constituencies. Let Northern men say that
hey will vote for the establishment Of slavery
n any of the territory in question, and
hey will have an account to settle ut home,
will require q. their attention md re-
sources.
Now, Mr.. Chairman, as this whsle subject
Of acquisition of Territory II fraught with so
much danger, is i. not the dictate Of duty and
patriotism to consider it well, and 10 do it in
One false step at the outset may
lead to the most fatal consequences. The
very agitation of this question has wrought a
change in public opinion within the
six months and if we 90 on conqucring {
20 conquer, our friends, who are anticipating f
such fav0ro6c results from the acquisition Of
Southern territory, may find, when it is too 5
ate, that their JOY may be turned into mourn c
and their mirth into hcayiness. They
nay find agitations at home,more to be dread
ID than the armies of Santa Anna, and com
notions in the midst OF them, more sanguiaa-
" than the revolutions in Mexico. They may
ind that s. conquering a peace" abroad may
iisturb harmony at home, and that dismem-
oering one Republic may rupture another
If we are to rush madly into foreign conquest,
may bring upon our own country evils
no patriot can contemplate but with
tears. =
That the present war is one of conquest
there can be no question. The letter which
has been read this morning-addressed to
j. Stevenson by the Secretary Of War
puts that question beyond all manner of doubt.
That letter is well understood by the public
and gloss it over as you will, it amounts sub
s~tantially to this Mexico must be dismem-
bered either by war or by revolution. Areg-
iment Of armed emigrants must be sent to
California they must be enlisted with an ex-
press condition that they are not to return
home they will be sent into California to re-
main during the war. If that province falls
into our hands during the war, or is ours on
the return of peace they are to remain in that
country if not, they will, at the conclusion
of the war, be marched just across the line in
to Oregon and be discharged, with the eX-
press understanding that they will immediate
ly return to California, raise the standard of
revolt, declare themselves independent, and
TeXa3-like, be annexed to the United States.
Such, beyond controversy, was the design of
that enterprise and it shows how low a weak
and wicked administrator may stoop. If
were dealing with the power before winch
the President was disposed to quail in the set
of the Oregon question, the admins
tration even after the return of peace, might
be called upon for an explanation, if such
letter as that of Secretary Marcy should come
to their knowledge, and have reference to t
any of their possessions. The newly organ
lied governments in New Mexico and Cali +
fornia, under the direction of the Executive, {
no doubt, shows the object for which the war