Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-02-03

all the men and money that he asks you for.
Believing that the cause of this war is radical
ly wrong, bold il to be the first, the planest, and
the simplest duty to withhold supplies, and COM
pei the President TO do what we believe TO be
right. Believing there is a strict and pertinent
analogy between the course to be pursued by
Congress, and that which is taken by the British
Parliament consider that the course Of those
who think the war wrong, is plain and clear, and
admits of no mistake. Upon question of vo-
Ting supplies the very first thing to be inquired
into by Congress, u.s. whether the object for which
the supplies are demanded is one which com
mends itself to the favorable consideration of
Congress. II it be determined that the object is
a proper one, let the supplies be granted if 9th
erwise, withhold them. This is my understand
ing of the nature of our Constitution. | have
heard our Government spoken of as n govern
mont Of checks and balances, but when you
speak of the President having the power to make
war unconstitutionally aud illegally, cannot un-
derstnnd the cause or proprioty Of that course of
conduct which would sustain him in his uncon
siitutOnal act.
Believing, then, that the question of this war
is question which ought to be discussed that
it lies at the very bottom Of the question Of sup
plies, will proceed to give my views to the Sen
ate and to the country And, as suggested the
other day, in the f0w remarks which | had the
honor TO submit, believe that the cause of the
war lies deeper than any that has been assigned
by those who have expressed their opinions upon
the subject | believe that the question, whether
1t arose from the march of General Taylor TO the
Rio Grande, or whether any of those incidental
and temporary movements were the immediate
cause Of the war, is entirely irrelevant to the in
Iquiry of what is its primary cause. The cause
sir, lies deeper than any OF these; aud when
speak Of the causes of the war, permit me to saw
that do it with no desire to in,rodt c. exciting
or angry discussion, or to arouse unpleasant feel
! ing; but having duty to perform here, must
do 1t icaressly, as an American Senator, feeble
as it may be- And when we speak Of the caus-
es of this war, | must avow my conviction, be-
You'd cavil or doubt, to be, that il lies in the
avowed policy Of the American Governments
policy which was avowed four years ago-t
mike the extension Of human slavery one Of lis
primary motives OF action. And when | saw
this let me not he misunderstood. refer to the
principle avowed in The diplomatic CORES pond-
ence which preceded the annexation OF Texas TO
the United States. And permit me to say tia,
IN approaching this question, DO it with de-
sire and disposition 10 do full Justice to the of
| hcers OF this Government who were engaged in
that correspondence. 1 will do them the Justice
to say, that what they did, they did manfuily and
abovcboard. There was nc concealment. Thov
came out boldly. Their course was very differ
ent IRON that o: set of men we have among u.s.
called Northern men with Southern principles
men who profess to be against slavery, but who
are nevertheless enlisted in the siaveholdln m
terest, ready to do slavcrys bidding. That was
not the case with the men to whom have refer
red They came out boldly ana avowod the OBJ
lect at which they aimed, and the means by which
they proposed TO attain it. LIT this be ever said
! to their credit.
In that correspondence, the objects O. this
Government are as evident, as much beyond con.
tr9versy, as anything can possibly be. no, sir If
The fingers OF hand were sent from the throne
OF Eternal light, 10 write this upon the wall over
your head. it would not flash conviction more
readily to the mind than is done BY oerusal of
that correspondence. | will not go through the
whole OF II, but viii content myself with sending
to tho Clerk and asking him TO read an extrac,
| from this letter:
M Uf-Awto Nh 1larphy
"DEFAnrmrSr OF STATE,
49, " Washington, 4ug. &, 1919.
in LoSidon, contains the following passage
learn from source entitled 10 tho fullest cnnfl ,rc O.
that there s now here Mr.. Andrews, depuied by abol
ons Of Texas 10 neggtaG with tho British Government
tho abolition of slavery in rrxns which s that ,err snail
be organized company in England who s.i advance sum
Texas lands that the thus advanced shall he
plId over an indemnify for the abolition Of slavery aud
am authorized by the Texan Minister say YOU, that
lorI Aberdeen ha. agreed that the British Government will
guaranty tho payment on this nan upon con
dinon that thc Te&in Government WIN abolish slavery"
This proposition, 1t will be seen, was exceed
ingly simple and easy To be understood. It an.
nounced, not that there was a schcne on foot a.
mcngst set of fanatical politicians to decoy a.
way the slaves, not to steal them nothing OF
that sort; but proposition had been entertain
ed, by which The Government aud Shareholders
of Texas agreed 10 abolish slavery, and for this
} agreement on their part ii was said that com
pany had agreed to advance Il stipulated price.
What right had our Government 10 interfere ?
The Secretary says, ga movement Of this sort
cannot b. contemplated in sl.cnce." | agree i,
should not but what should every American
heart have said when it was found that scheme
of this kind was on foo;? Should they not have
} burst out in thankful aspirations to Almighty
! God, that such scheme Of benevoence as that
had even been thought Of think the Secrela.
ry soys well in saying that they could not look
on in silence.
The Secretary further says, "such an attempt
} upon any neighboring country would necessar
} Iy be viewed by this Government with very deer
concern"
! Certainly they should have looked on witt
concern--as deep as that with which affection
watches by the side Of dying loye--now gather
ing hope from the symptoms that The smiles o
health will again smooth the check of love, ant
settle on its hopes.
Again, he says at cannot be permitted t
J succeed without the most strenuous efforts or
our part 10 arrest calamity so serious to every
part Of our county," A calamity so serious L
every part Of our country; so serious to New
Hampshire, to Massachusetts, and the other New
England States And, sir, this bill which is nc &
before you is one of the measures which are tc
be adopted 10 redeem the pledge thus made. II
the same letter it is said:
"Thc establishment, in the very midst Of savooldin
States, OF independent Government, tobiddng the
,encc uf slavery, and by people 5ou, io the pal
mong reared our habits, and speaking lrnguage
could not fail TO produce The unhappy effects upon
! PARTIES"
When saw it formally announced by the Gov
eminent that II could 10; produce any but sun
happy effects" thought was mistaken in lht
reading. | thought 1t must be a mistake of the
printer; but found that it was no mistake =
that the announcement was resl, lnade. VIVA
a mistake, then, did the Pilgrim Fathers make il
coming 10 found colony in the New World
where they might avoid the Consequences O
slavery! Had they not slavery enough at home
r Did they bid farewell to everything that bouut
their hearts to the land vi their birth the liant
where the bones of their fathers reposed AM
Fl. cone over TO found the institutions OF American
b slavery Was it Tor this that the May Fowe
o sailed from the coast where 81 very prevailed
Was il for this that those patriots wandered frou