The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1847-11-24

capable in some degree, of enjoying it--After hard
struggle the system was defeated, and l regret il
extremely, as If it had been then adopted, our State
would be now nearly rid of that reproach
Since that epoch, scheme of unmixed benevo-
ence has sprung up, which, If il Ind existed at that
time, would have obviated one Of the greatest OBJ
jections, which was made to gradual emancipation,
which was the continuance of the emancpated slaves
TO abide among us. That scheme Is the American
Colonization Society About twenty-eight years ago,
q few individuals myself among them, met together
~ the city OF Washington, and laid the foundation
OF that society. II has gone on, amidst extraordi-
nary difficulties and trials, sustaining itself almost
entirely by spontaneous and voluntary contributions
from individual benevoence, without scarcely any
nid from Government The Colonies planted under
It's auspices are now well established communities,
WIN churches schools, and other institutions apper
tanning to the civilized state. They have made
cessiu war In repeling attacks and invasiOns by
their barbarous and savage neighbors. They have
made treaties, annexed territories to their dominion
aud are blessed with a free representative Govern
ment. recently read message from one of their
Governors to their Legislature, which, in point Of
composition, and in careful attention TO the public
a. OF their Republic, would compare advantage
ously with the messages of the Governors of our
own States / am not very superstitious, but do
solemnly believe that these Colonies blest with
the smiles Of Provdence and, II we may dare attempt
penetrating the veil, by which He conceals his all
wise dspensations from mortal eyes, that he designs
that Africa shall be the refuge and the home OF the
descendants of its sons and daughters torn and
dragged from their native land by lawless violence
II Is phlnnthropic and consoling reflection that
the moral and physical condition of the African
race In the United States, even in state of slavery
Is far better thanit would have been If their
lind never been brought from their native land. And
II should be the decree of the Great Ruler of the
Universe that their descendants shall be made nstru-
nens in His hands in the establishment of Civilian
ton and Christian Religion throughout Africa, our
regrets on account of the original wrong will be
greatly mitigated.
II may be argued that in admitting the injustice
of slavery, admit the necessity Of an instantaneous
reparation of that injustice Unfortunately however
1t is not always safe, practicable possible, in the
great movements Of States and public affairs Of na-
tons, to remedy or repair the infection of previous
injustice In the INSCRIPTION of II, we may oppose and
denounce y by our most sienuous exertons
other alternative left but to depore its perpetra
ton and to acquiesce as the only alternative in its
existence less evil than the frightful conse-
quences which might ensue from the vain endeavor
to repair it. Slavery is one of those unfortunate in
stances. The evil of 1t was inflicted upon us, by the
parent country OF Great Britnn against all the en-
treaties and responsiveness Of the colonies And here
II is amongst and amidst us, and0we must dispose of
it. as best we can under oil the circumstances which
surround us. 1t continued, by the importation of
slaves from Africa in spite of Colonial resistance for
aperod Of more than century and half and it may
require equal or longer lapse of time before our
country is entirely rid of the evil And in the mean
time, moderation, prudence, and discretion among
ourselves, and the blessings of Providence may be all
| necessary to accomplish our ultimate deverance
from it. Examples of similar inction of irreparable
national evil and injustice might be multiplied to an
indefinite extent Tho Of the annexation ofTex-
to the United States is recent and ovious
where II II were wrong, II cannot now be repaired.
Texas Is now an integral part of our Union, with Its
own voluntary consent. Many of us opposed the
annexation with honest zeal and most earnest exer-
| tons. But who would now think Of perperating the
1 folly of casting Texas out Of the Confederacy and
i throwing her back upon her own independence, or
| into the arms of Mexico2 Who would now seek to
divorce her from this Union The Creeks and Che
rsl Tpd iope fhay
driven from their country, and transported beyond
purchased and occupied by inhabitants of Georgn,
Alabama Mississippi, and Tennessee. Who would
now conceive the fragrant injustice Of expeling
those inhabitants and restoring the Indian country to
the Cherokees and the Creeks under color Of repair
ing original injustice? During the war Of our revo-
i luton, millions OF paper money were issued by our
ancestors us the only currency with which they could
achieve our liberties and independence. Thousands
and of thousands of families were stripped of their
homes and their ALL and brought to ruin, by giving
credit and confidence to that spurious currency
Stern necessity has prevented the reparation of that
| great national injustice. xa
But forbcar, I will no longer trespass upon your
patience or further tax my own voice, Impaired by
speech Of more than three hours duration which pro-
fessiona duty required me to make only few days
ago. If have been at all successful In the expo-
sition Of the views and opinions which entertain
4 LIST. That the present war was brought about by
the annexation Of Texas and the subsequent order Of
l
| I'd That the President, being unenlightened and
uninstructed by any public declaration of Congress
as to objects for which It ought 70 be prosecuted in
the conduct of II is necessarily left to his
Of what the national interests and honor may re-
| qurc
| 3d. That the whole war-makng power Of the na-
ton, TO motives, causes and Objects Is conhded
by the constitution to the discretion and Judgment
of Congress. Ns ~ m.
4th That it is, therefore, the right Of Congress- al
the commencement Or during the progress Of any
ought to be waged and prosecuted.
9th. That 1t is the right and duty Of Congress to
announce to the nation for what objects the present
war shall be longer continued that 1t is the duty Of
the President in the exercise of all his official fnc
tons, to conform to and carry out this declared will
of Congress- by the exercise Ii necessary of all the
high powers with which he is clothed and that if he
fail or refuse to do So 1t becomes theimpernve duty
Of Congress to arrest the further progress of the wal
by the most efiectual means in its power.
Let Congress announce to the nation the objects
for which this war shall be further protracted and
public suspense and public nquietude will no Longer
remain lift is to be war of conquest of ALL or any
part OF Mexico, let the people know il, and they will
be no longer agitated by dark and uncertain future
But although might have forborne to express any
opinion whatever as to purposes and objects for
which the should be continued, have not tho't
proper to conceal my opinions whether worth any
ingly have stated
9th. That II seems to me that ii is the duty of our
country as well on the score of moderation and mag
nanimity as with the view of avoiding discord and
discomfort at home, to abstain from seeking to con-
quer and annex to the United States Mexico or any
part of 1t; and especially dsabuse the public mind
in any quarter of the Union of the impression if II
/ any where1 exists that desire conquest Is cher
ished for the purpose Of propagatng or extending
| slavery ts
have embodied, Mr.. President and fellow citizens,
the sentiments and opinions which have endeavor-
ed to explain and enforce in series of resolutions
which beg now to submit to your consideration
| and judgments
1--WE have published those resolutions in previous
number.