Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-03-18


Mr.. Chairman. my opposition to taking any ter
ritory from Mexico arises, not more from the con-
sidcration Of it's Injustice to her, than because
believe 1t would prove a curse and not blessing
to our own country And this, after all, is the
paramount and all important consideration grow
ing out Of the whole question of the Mexican
war; However Just you may claim the war with
her to be- and however Just that in any peaceful
arrangement she should indemnity us for its ex-
penses. in whole in part it would be infinitely
better for US TO yield it all, than 10 receive as an
indemnity that which in reality would prove to
be n bane to us. What idioc madness, then, is
it to wage a war for the conquest of possessions
which, if granted to us peacefully and gratut-
ously, would forever rest upon the heart of this
nation like the incubus of death. The acquisi-
ton of territory from Mexico, upon whatever
terms, of peace or of war, would forever be
source of contention and strife with us, if not,
sooner or later, fatal to the integrity OF the U.
Mon itself. This Hall has already witnessed the
forebodings of those evils, which are sure to come
of the accession of new territory, in the excited
discussion and wrangling which has arisen In re-
laton to the division of the expected acquisitions.
You are despoiling neighboring republic of its
possessions, and yet, before the prize is in your
grasp, while you are yet in hot pursuit, and pant
ing in the chase, you are warning among your
selves about the ultimate condition upon which
your anticipated conquests shall be incorporated
into this Government, and the pledge upon either
side Is nothing less than a dissolution Of the u
nion You are rushing headlong and blindiold-
ed upon appalling dangers, before which the
stout heart sinks, and brave men turn pale. You
are rekindling the slumbering fires Of volcano.
which, whenever they shall burst forth, will con-
sumo all the plain. Heaven forefend, that the
happiness and the hopes of twenty millions of
freemen shall be made the sport and the sacrifice
Of miserable ambition for territorial aggran.
) dizemen'. The only guaranty Of our safety and
salvation is, to keep the ship of state from the
rock upon which our unskillfu pilots are fast
driving it. Take no territory from Mexico, eth
err by treaty or by conquest, and you will have
no strife about the conditions of its annexation.
Sir, am opposed 10 taking one foot ofterrtory
: from Mexico, either by force or by consent: or
: upon any condition, whethc bond or free, with
slavery or without slavery. And let me warn
: the people of the North not 10 deceive themsel.
ves nor be deceived with the idea that the terri
tory we NAV acquire from Mexico will remain
free territory. And let me tell them in all frank
. ness, that let us attach what conditions we may
10 its acquisition, incorporate into these prellm-
S mary acts as many " Wiinot provisoes" as we
: please, they will be of no avail in the end, and
. Will not be regarded or treated as of any binding
obligation upon future legislative or treaty action
upon the subject. And let me tell them, further
I more, that with the Texas lesson before them
D the only guarantee upon which they can rely a.
] ganst the indefinite extension Of slave territory
is to take none at all. THIS new and strange
= horror Of the extension of slavery, which has SO
. suddenly come over u certain portion Of the
northern Democracy upon this floor, is, to say the
least of it, in singular contrast with their recent
action mon the Texas ouestlon. | hone this new
horn zeal which thew exhibit of late. NAV prove
, to be the fruit of sincere repentance that may
prove the result of principle rather thar political
G calculation ar mere party advantage But they
will pardon us if we are little doubtful of theii
: SINCERITY. while their hands are vet unwashed Of
; the foulness of their Texas votes.
r "Timeo Danaos, ct dona ferentes'
S Mr. Chairman, there are other and formidable
!, grounds of opposition to this spirit oc national
u ACKNOWLEDGMENT by territorial extension Sup
: lose that Mexico were to yield her reluctant as.
d sent to our possession of al. the country Of
Y which YOU now claim the military occupation
. With the territory you must take its mixed anC
j. semloaroarlah popuia'ioh,Ia distinct anu ulss'h
g l ia rae VI ~ nJ f,ai;n - " ;0,o
" i,' j., ,r,on ,v;,b ns and hov;nn 5o syn'n
f H., win ne I'm, 70 hate ne Won co,id boId an
tbor;,y over such neooln orv bv the same torce
. ,y;,h ;yh;ch you connuerad them Obed;enco r.
yonr laws and resner, ior your ma o;s,rates mus
). he a,forced At The mint ofthe sword S,andin,
+ armies must he stat,oned and kent around thei
borders. to keep in subsection these scattered ant
s turbulent people unused to the restraints of law
G With the civil and military government of ,bes,
= new provinces comes a vast extension Of the nj
J, ready oyergrown power of Executive PATRONAGE
!, "a power which already overshadows all the 9th
$ er departments of YOUR Government MOVIE,
S which, with the command of armies and nayes
t has. IN more than one instance in the history Of
REPUBLICS. been made the passport of bold and
o bad men to imperial despotism. What political
It rights. immunities, and privileges will YOU extend
to the inhabitants of these new provinces suited
and appropriate to their wants. their character
5 and the new relation to Our Government? have
ONLY time TO plance at. and not eDlarqe upon. sup
n gestions like these. They are fraught neverthe
D less, with fearful import and address themselves
with irresistible force to the serious and earnest
S reflection of all American statesmen and patriots
Look at the subject as we NAV it presents TO our
S solemn consideration innumerable, il not insur.
. moun,able. difficulties.
= ,,,.,
Y Mr.. Chairman, do not underrate the skill
t ana proves OF American arms. l am not I'M
ueratlng Inc Strength ana power OF this nation.
t Although wemay De onnpolent Tor self defence,
e we YET may not oe strong enough 10 suolngate a
e foreign, though 1t be fecoler nation. we may
! conquer ana suoJugate MEXICO; nut instead OF
It's being slx-mOnlnS holiday exercise, as some