Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-12-03

their descendants shall be made Instruments IN
His hands in the establishment Of civilization
and the Christian religion throughout Africa
our regrets, on account Of the original wrong,
will be greatly mitigated
IL may be argued that, in admitting the IN
Justice OF slavery, Ihdmit The necessity Of an in
stantancous reparation Of that injustice Un'or-
~tunatcly, however, y y not always saie, pfac,
tieable or possihlc, in the great movements OF
States and public affairs Of nations, 10 remedy
or repair the infection Of previous injustice. In
the inception Of IL, we may oppose aud dcnouncc
il by our most strenuous exeriions, but, alter It's
contamination, there is often no other altcrna-
tive len us but TO deplorc its preparation, and to
acauiesce rs the only alternative in existence, rs
a less evil than the frighiful consequences which
might ensue from the vain endeavor TO repair u
Slavery Is one Of those unfortunate instances.
The evil of il was inflicted upon US by the pa
rent country Of Great Britain, against all the
remoustrances of the colonies. Aud here IL is,
amongst aud amidst Us, and we must dispose Of
il as best we can, under all the circumstances
which surround us. Il continued, by the impor.
tation of slaves from Africa, in spite OF colonial
resistance, for n period Of more than a century
and n half, and il may require an equal or long
err lapse Of time before our country is entirely
rid OF the evil. And, in the meantime, moder-
alton, prudence, and discretion among ourselves,
and the blessings Of Providence, may be all nee
cssary TO accomplish our ultimate deliyernnce
from il. Examples of similar infection Of ire
parable national evil and injustice might be null
iiplied to an indefinite extent. The ease Of the
annexation Of Texas to the United States is a
recent and obvious one, which, II II were wrong,
il cannot now be repaired. Texas is now an in
tegral part Of our Union, with its own voluntary
consent. Many of us opposed the annexation
with honest zeal and most earnest exertions-
But who would now think Of pefpetrating the
folly Of casting Texas out Of the confederacy,
and throwing her back upon her own independ-
ence, or into the arms Of Mexico Who would
now seek to divorce her from this Union2 The
Creeks and Cherokee Indians were, by the most
exceptionnble means, driven from their country,
and transported beyond the Mississippi river
Their lands have been fairly purchased and oc-
cupied by inhabitants Of Georgia, Alabama, Nils
sirsippi and Tennessee. Who would now con-
ceivc the fragrant injustice Of expclling those in
habitanis, and restoring the Indian country TO
the Cherokees and Greeks, under color Of re-
pairing original injustice During the war Of
our revolution, millions Of paper money were IS
sued by our ancestors, as the only currency with
which they could achieve our liberties and indie
pendcncc. Thousands and hundreds Of thou
sands Of familcs were stripped Of their homes
and their all. and brought 10 ruin, by giving cred
il and confidence to that spurious currency
Stern necessity has prevented the PREPARATION Of
that great national injustice.
But ! forbear; l will no longer trespass upon
your patience or further tax my own voice, inn
paired by a speech Of more than three hours du-
ration, which professional duty required me to
make only a few days npo. II have been at
all successful in the exposition Of the views and
opinions which ] entertain, ! have shown
lst That the present war was brought about
by the annexation Of Texas and the subsequent
order Of the President, without the previous con
sent aud authority Of Congress.
"a. That the President, being unenlightened
and uninstrncted, by any public declaration Of
Congress, rs to objects for which ii ought TO be
prosecuted, in the conduct Of j, is, necessarily,
left TO his own sense Of what the national inter
ests and honor may require.
Sd. That the whole war-making power Of the
nation, as TO motives, causes and objects, is CON
fdcd by the constitution To the discretion and
judgment Of Congress.
9Th That it is, therefore, the right OF Con-
grcss, nj the commencement or during the prog
rcss Of any war, to declare for what objects and
purposes the war ought to be wagcd and prose
cuted.
5th. That il is the right and duty Of Congress
TO announce TO the nation for what objects the
present war shall be longer continued; that il j.
utc duty OF the President, IN the cxcrvirc % all
hs othSiM iuncbuur. 10 CoulOTm 10 anu carry ont
this declared will Of Congress, BY the exercise,
II necessary, OF all the high powers with which
be is clothed and that, IL he fail or refuse to do
so, il becomes the imperative duty Of Congress
to arrest the further progress Of the war, by the
most eiiectnal means in its power.
Let Congress announce 10 the nation the OBJ
jects for which this war shall be further protract-
ed, and public suspense and public inquieinde
will no longer remain. II il is TO be a war Of
conquest Of all, or any part Of Mexico, let the
people know it, and they viii be no longer asi-
taied by a dark and uncertain future. But, al
though ] might have forborne to express any
opinion Whatever as to purposes and objects for
which the war should be continued, l have not
thought proper to conceal my opinions, whether
worth anything or not, from the public examina-
ton. Accordingly, | have stated:
9Th. That II seems 10 me that il is the duty Of
our country, as well as on the score Of modcra-
ton and ilagnanimity, as with the view Of avoid
ing dlscori aud discomfort at home, to abstain
from seeking to conquer and annex to the Uni
ted States, Mexico, or any part Of Il; and, cs-
pecially, to disabusc the public mind IN any
quarter of the Union of the impression, IL il any
where exists, that a desire for conquest is cher
shed, for the purpose of propagnting or extend
mir Clay then presented and read his set of
resolutions, which we have before published
HORRJD MuRDER-A eorroxnonda,, ~ a..