Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-08-17

~" Wy "itnHouing supplies! Hence
what was relied on as security by the trainers
of the constitution proved to be no security at
all.
What had become of the money the President
had received in the form of contribution. duties
&C.? Where was IT.? Did it belong to the
Treasury? IL so, what authority had the Presi.
dent to pay it out except by warrants according
to law, as the constitution required? 1.-THE Pres
ident and his officers had money in both pockets,
and were under no obligation TO come 10 Con.
gress, but had gone on to levy contributions and
duties, and sack and pillage according to their
own good pleasure, were they responsible 10 no
power? And yet the Democratic party, toa
man, stood before the country and justified the
President in this monstrous usurpaton!
But we had got some territory by this treaty of
peace, which the President told US was the in
dsmnity Jor The past. How much of it was unop-
propriated, however, nobody could tell. There
was vast area, but whether Of mountain or val
ley, whether owned by individuals or not, no one
could tell. 1t was "a pig-in.the poke" purchase,
any way, and the great object in taking it was
that the President might be able to tell the peo.
pie he had got something, and thus attempt to
maintain his own consistency and satisfy the
people. We had agreed to pay Mexico fifteen
million dollars in cash, and the debt which she
owed our people, (nstead of debt we owed to
her,) and we had got some land which was good
for nothing.
Now, in the first place, whatever might be the
consequences of obtaining this territory, he
washed his hands from that. 1t was the result
of the war. The gentleman from Texas tMr.
KAUFMAN had told them to day that the war
was the result of annexation. He (Nr. C. wns
in no way responsible for any Of these measures
or their results. About two wears since. when
this question had begun to be talked about, he
remembered that he had then said it would BIO
very prudent, it would be more than common
prudence, TO inquire what we could do with this
territory if acquired. Like the countryman of
whom it was said he visited an achymist, and
asked him for what purpose he was laboring so
long in his laboratory. He replied, 20 discover
a substance called the universal solvent, which
he supposed to be fluid which would dissolve
everything it touches. EYES," said the honest
countryman, "but what will you get to keep it
in" I.id not think of that" replied the learn
ed professor. That was an important question
and so was the question, what are you going to
do with this territory? How will you keep it
when you get it? But it had been golten-this
bone of contention had been thrown among us.
We must have it, why? To satisfy this grasp
ing hunger Tor land among the people of the
west especially, which had been fed and stimu-
lated by the President.
When the lsraelites undervaued the mamma,
and lusted for flesh, and received quails, "while
the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was
chewed," 1t became offensive. We, too, have
disregarded and undervalued this great country
which God has given US, and lusted for other
country, aud by aggression obtained 1t, and now
1t becomes offensive while we are attempting to
chew 1t.
Inc next question Is, what IS TO be done with
this newly acquired territory? The President
calls on Congress 70 form for it territorial gov
ernments, and to be extremely concatory in 50
doing. This, no doubt, relates to the subject of
slavery in them.
That Congress has the power to legislate for
those Territories, OF which this Government has
the exclusive right Of jurisdiction, there can be
no doubt. That this power has no limitations
but those Of the constitution, such as that habe-
as corpus and trial by jury, &c. shall not be a.
polished, is equally clear, and that this extends
to the subject of slavery in these Territories Is
as clear 1t is a power which has been exercised
by Congress in every Territory which ever be-
loDged to the United States, sanctioned by every
department of the Government, and acauesced
in by the people ever since the existence of the
Government In exercising this power Congress
should regard the good not only of the territory
legislated for, but also the good of the nation !;
ami the question now is, should Congress forey-
er exclude slavery, at least from all ter, itoiy
where it does not now exist :? This inquiry