Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-04-06

and at moment whom public attention IL drawn IT, IL,
my opinion since all suppose such question:
1t is impossible should be without opinion.
saw then, gentlemen, in all runkness that see obec
tons, think insuImountabls objections the
ofToxasto the United states When the Constitution was
pe looked to the admission Of any States into tho u
be- formed out ofooos them already bs"nSeeS as
ned states Fifteen ycars after the adoption ofhe Cons
obtained BY treaty with France who had recently obanso
from Spain hut the object Of this acquisition certainly
interests were connected with IT, Spain, while she
ed louisiana had held the mouths Of the great rivers which
She had disputed our these rivers already and with
powerful nation In possession Of these outlets to the sea-
perpetual yeSution The the
sea was therefore, the gea, object aimed a. in the gcqus
territory along with IT, and three States exist
out of that ancient province.
similar policy, mad similar necessity, though per-
haps entirely urgent led to the acquisition of Florida
Now no such necessity, no such policy, requires the
tory is necessary to the full and complete enjoyment Of
all which we already possess Her case tserefoe stands
being then necessity for extending the limits Of the Union,
in that direction, ought think for and power
full reasons be content with our present boundaries.
Gentemen all see, tina, by whomsoever possessed,
Texas Is likely to be 'lovehhdi9g country and frankly
extend the slavery the African this Continent
add other savoholdng States to tho Union.
When say that regard slavery 10 itself gre at
all social and political evil only language which has
been adopted by distinguished men, themselves citizens of
already amoagst The Constitution found it
us it recognized 1t, md gave solemn gu.Tantias To the
full Of these guarantees are ali bound honor
in JUSTICE and by tho constitution. All tho stpulations
contained in the Constitutions in favor of the saveholdng
States which already In the Unon ought be fulfilled
in the funes of her spirit and to the of their letter
Slavery as il exists in tho S,aes is beyond the reach of
Congress- 1t 10 Of the States themselves they
have never submitted to Congress- aud Congress has
MEASURE menace, no indication ofpuposc which shall
interfere threaten Interfere, with tho exclusive author
exist. within their respective limits All this appears me
to he matter of plain and imperative duty.
But, when we come to speak of admitting States,
the subject entirely different aspect. Our rights
und our duties then both different.
to accept eec When it is proposed bring
bers into this political partnership, the old members have
and what they to bring along with them In opinion
the people of the United States will bring
vastly extensive and savehoding country large enough
for half dozen dozen States, into the Union 10 my opn
ion the people of the United States will it,
ndeed altogether at loss conceive what possible
boneht any part of the country expect derive from
such annexation oil benefit TO any part is least doubtful
On the general question of slavery great portion OF the
community is already strongly excited The subject has
struck far deeper toned chord. 1t arrested the
feeling oil the it has taken strong hold the
sciences OF men lie Is rash man, indeed and little
snn with human nature and especially he has very
estimate of the character Of the people ots
who supposcs that feeling this kind is to be ttifed with
or despscd II will assuredly itself DO respected
Il may be reasoned with il may be made willing believe it
existing dutes to uphold and defend the constitution is
established with Whatever regrets about provisions
Ito ondeavor to restrain its free exprossioto seek
press and conne it, is, aud heated such
endoarors would inevitably rcnder it-shouh all this be
attempted know nothing even in the Constitution, the
Union itself which would moi be endangered by the crpe
"I, therefore, political necessity for the
ton Of Texas to the Union advantage be derived from
It aud obj con to IT, of strong and in Judgment de-
cisive character.
believe it be Tor the interest and happiness of the
la will diuin nand
GU. addition"
For few year, held position in the Executive De-
partnent Of the Government. left the Department ofSate
IN lSi3. in May. Wilhia m4nth another most wo
y end-hai taken my place had occasion to know, no
officially, hut from circumstances, that the
TO Tue United states was taken up by Mr. Tylers adj
ministraon as an administration measure pushed pressed
insisted on and believe that the honorable gentleman
the greatest respect Mr. Upshur-had something ike
passion for the accomplishment Of this purpose Aud
suffered his ardent feelings little to control his NOR,
prudent Judgment AT any rate, IN lsi3 that
public lie, but seeing this ofthng ihoug ht 1t m,
duty to admons far as could, the country of tho cIs
at the North-ohers in This Capitol who know that il
the summer Of le4 being fully persuaded that this purpo
of annca Texas had been up with zeal and deter
nnaon by the Executive Governments of United States
thought ii my duty, and asked their an
tempt to let this purpose be known TO the county, con
ferred with gentleman OF distinction eminence popo
sed some means of exciting public question
OF annexat!on, before should become party
Tor have learned that when rnaer becomes party mat
Ter it vain TO Bet the op,omists the que
lists then, who said all things well and oil things
lone, discouraged, repessod any such effort. They sa
the North would take of ITSELF the country would taxi
care OF ITSELF that Il would not sustain Tylers project
aanexa on--when the Time came the power of the Nor
which was felt in the House of Representatives. would b
sufficient to resist the And could now ref Il
paragraphs und articles in the respectable journals
the North, in which an attemrt made to produce al
impression that there danger that should
addition OF states that mead alarm ourselyo
about IT, was not in Congress when the resolution pro
vidins for the annexation of Texas passed. onl
know that up 10 short period before the passage
that resolution the general impression vas 10 the count
where belonged that no such resolutions could pass Bu
have found, Sir. in the of thirty years. experience
that whatever moasute the Executive government embra
ces and puses quite likely TO succeed There is gvin
way omewhere. Ifthe Executive government acts wit,
uniformity, steadiness, entire unity Of pupCsesooner
atet quite apt enough, according to my construction
history, TOO apt to effect its purpose.
Just before the of the present adminsra
Goi TIC resolutions for the annexation OF Texas passed
Congress- Texas complied with the provisions res
oluons, and she here the on the o9
Of December isfo TO, her hnai admission into the Unon
ono OF these States. took occasion then to state:
"Mr President, there is no citizen of this country VIII,
was more kindly disposed towards the people of Texas thar
myself from the time they achieved very exaodi
nary their independence the Mexican Govern
show in all situations, and under all crcunstauces jus
and proper regard for the people of that country but Will
respect to annexation 10 the Union, is vel known that
from tho announcement of such idea, have fell M
duty, steadily, uniform and zealvusy oppose it, have
expressed opinions and arguments against H. everywhere
aud OH all occasions which the subject under
sidernton: My effot have been and unweaed
butt Ike those of Others they have failed of will
therefore, sir in very few words acting under the unanm
Gus resolution and instructions of both branches ofhe lie
lature OF Massachusetts, we'll as in conformity
settled Judgment and full conviction ecaplulao betoie h
senate and before the community the objections Which have
prevailed, ind must always prevail with against THU
measure OF annexation. In the first place, have the
deepest reflection, long ago como 10 the conclusion that
was OF dangerous tendency aud doubtful
to enlarge the boundaries ofthE Government tho 1ettv
RES over which our laws established There
be some limit to the extent of teltoes, we woult
make our institutions permanent. Aud IN this perauenc,
lives the great subject of my political efforts the paramount
object OF my political regard. The Government Is very like
y to he endangered In my opinion, by further enlargement
OF its already vast territorial spriaee
In the next place, have always wished that this
try should exhibit the nations OF the earth the example
great rich and powerful Republic, which is not possessed
by spt ofnggrnndsement II 4 an example, think, due
from Us to the world in ayor o the character Of republican
government
Iu tho third place. sir, have 10 say, that while Lhold
with much integrity trust, and iahfulnoss any c
zen OF this oo1nlIy, 10 all tho original arrangements
compromises ~ which the constitution undoI which VS. now
live was adopted, could not and can, persuade my
sell TO be 10 favor oil the adm Of other States into the
Unon IA slave states, with the inequalities which were
allowed aud accorded to the suvehodng staies then OK
ence by lhe constitution. do not think that the Free
states ever expected should expect that hoy would be
called on 10 admit further slave States having
arising TO them from the mode of arpoTioping
under the existing Constitution.
or, have never made effort aud propose 10
mako IN effort have never countenaneed effort, aud
never mean To eounenanoe effort 10 disturb tho arrange
ents US originally made by which The various States
diherenqueson when proposition Is made To admit new
sates aud that they may be allowed to In with the
same advantages aud inequalities which existed In regard 70
tho old"
Now sir have said, in all this acted HadeT tbs reso
utous of the State OF Massachusetts certainly cpncutrns
Nj tudg otle