Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-12-09


dispose OF 1t as best we can, under all the cir
cunstanccs which surround u.s. 1t continued by
the importation Of slaves frorn Africa, in spite OF
colonial resistance, for period Of more than
century and a half end it may require an equal
or longer lapse of time before our country is en-.
tirely rid of the evil. And in the meantime,
moderation, prudence and discretion among our
selves, and the blessings Of Providence, may be
all necessary to accomplish our ultimate deliver.
ance from It, ExaYples Of similar inniction Of
lrrcparabe national evil and injustice might be
multiplied to an indefinite extent.
The case OF the annexation of Texas to the
United States is recent and obvious one,
which, II were wrong, It cannot now be repaired.
Texas is now an Integral part of Our Union,
with its own voluntary consent. Many OF us o.
posed the annexation with honest zeal and most
earnest exerions. But who would not think of
perpetratng the folly Of casting Texas out of
the contederacy and throwing her back upon
her own independence, or into the arms of Mex
leo! Who would now seek to divorce her from
he Union? The Creeks and the Cherokee In
dams were, by the most exceptionable means,
driven from their country, and transported be-
You'd the Mississippi river Their lands have
been faltly purchased, and occupied by inhabit-
ants OF Georgia. Alabama, Mississippi and Ten
nesseG. Who would now conceive the harrant
injustice OF cxpelling those inhabitants and re-
storing the Indian country to the Cherokees and
Creeks, under color of repairing original nius-
uce' During the wal Of our revolution, mill
IONS OF paper money were issued BY our ances-
tors, as the only cusrorcy with which they could
achieve our liberties and independence. Thou
sands and hundreds of thousands of families
were stripped OF their homes and their all, and
Drought to rum, by giving credit and confidenC e
TO mat spurious CURRENCY. Stern necessity has
prevented the reparalon Of that great national
injustice.
But iorbear; will 10 longer irespass upon
your patience or further tax my own voice, i'm =
paired by speech of more than three hours du-
ration, which professional duty required me to
make only few days ago If have been a:
all successful in the exposition of the views and
opinions which entertain, | have shown
l5t. That the present war was brought about
by The annexation of Texas and the subsequent
order OF the President, without lhe previous con-
sent and authority OF Congress.
~. That the President, being unenlightcned
and unlnstructed, by any public declaration of
Congress, as TO objects for which 1t ought to be
prosecuted, in tne conduct of it is, necessarily,
let to bis own sense of what the national inter.
ests and honor may require.
3D.. That the whole war making mower of The
nation, as to motives, causes and objects, is con-
lined Ivy the Constitution to the discretion and
judgment of Congress.
4in' nat IL Is, therefore, The right OF Con-
gress, at the commencement rduung the Prog
ress OF any war, to declare for what objects and
purposes the war ought to be waged and prose-
cuted.
5th. That it IS the right and duty of Congress
10 announce to the nation for what objects The
present war shall be longer continued; that it is
the duty of the President, in the exercise of all
his official functions, to conform and carry on,
this declared viii of Congress, by the exercise,
if necessary, of all the high powers with Which,
he is clothed and that, if he fail, or refuse TO
do SO, it becomes the Imperative duty of Con-
gress to arrest the further progress Of the war
by the most effectua means in its power
Let Congress announce TO the nation the OBJ
lects for which the war shall be further protrac-
TED; and public suspense and public inquletude
VIII no longer remain. III 1t Is to be war of
conquest OF all, or any part of Mexico let the
people know it and they will be no longer ag-
ita'ed ny dark and uncertain future. But al
pinlon whatever as to The purposes and objects