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


ing to the General Government for legislative
action upon matter hitherto alleged to lie ex-
clusivey within the jurisdiction of the several
States. But my colleague, (Mr. Collamer,) has
lately so fully and clearly elucidated this point,
that IL would be quite idle for inc to enlarge up
on the subject.
| have neither time nor desire to enter, at
present, into any discussion of the moral charac-
ter OF slavery itself, us christian or an unchrs.
tan institution. | have already, on other, occa-
sions, expressed myself explicitly enough on that
topic, aud my opinions are still unchanged, in
spite OF the Theological argument the prooffr from
Holy Writ, which have heard advanced on this
floor, and with which, as certain indications lead
me to conclude, we are again to be favored
But whatever may be the character OF that
system, Whatever its influence for good or evil,
1t IS OF great moment to the cause of historical
truth that it should never be forgoten-that the
true motive which dictated the action Of al
repeat it, of all official persons, who aided IN
the annexation of Texas, was to extend, strength
en-, and perpetuate the lettering institution OF do
nestle slavery.
But wrong as hold the motive to have been,
fear that ii the whole truth were revealed, VIC
should find more ofcrime in the means and ap.
planes through which that act was accomplish
cd, than in the end ITSELF He who would write
the blacklist page of American history must fer
rit out the secret and long continued intrigues,
by which the Texan revolution was fomented !;
uncover the hollow duplicity with which our
neutral relations with Mexico were violated /:
disclose the Machiavellian diplomacy by
which opposite and inconsistent arguments were
made TO influence different sections of this coun-
try, and the arts whereby annexation was made
the policy of the Democratic party, in spite of
the deliberate and selemny expressed convic-
tons of the entire North; depict how the hopes
OF Texan stockholders fell and rose as this or
that Northern Democratic member exhibited to-
kenS OF rebellion, or meekly gave in his adhesion
to the slaYish policy Of his party expose the
means by which certain sudden and notorious
changes in these legislative halls were produced !;
explain how that contemplate faction, that so
long swung here like pendulum, between the
law of conscience and the dictate of party. al
ternately betraying each, was at length fixed I;
and, in fine, tell what votes were extorted bv
craven fear, and what purchased by damnable
corruption.
think myself bound in cundor to admit that,
however selfish may have been the policy of the
South in the matter of annexation, the conduct
o. the most INSCRIPTIONS Southern advocates of
that untoward measure Is infinitely more eXcus-
able than that of their Northern allies, who, by
the stand they have taken on the Wllmot Proyi
so, have pronounced upon themselves judgment
Of nrevocable condemnation. The whole South
ern people entertained fixed opinion, mistaken
think, but unquestionably sincere, that the best
interests of the South impcriously demanded an
nexalion; and those brave. good men from the
slaveholCing States, who stood by their iohole
country in that dark hour, did verify believe that
IN obeying the voice Of conscience, they were
making heroic sacrifice of local interest 10 the
stronger claims of the general good. The
Northern supporters Of annexation have placed
upon record q solemn avowal, which time will
not expunge, that they had falsely betrayed the
rights and interests OF those who sent them hith-
or. The Wllniot Proviso, as it is called after lis
putative father, or the Brnkerhoff Proviso. as
perhaps it should be styled, (for leave those
gentlemen 10 settle the question of paternity be-
tween themselves coming as it did from knot
of politicians, whose whole political action FUR
nishes most conclusive proof Of their insncerity
Is the boldest experiment ever tried upon tile
credulity OF the American people; and now tha,
ii has failed to delude those upon whom it was
intended TO impose, that it has effected neither of
the two objects which it was designed to accom-
plish, have no hesitation in predicting, that
many OF those who were most jealous for its a.
doption will be the first to listen TO temptation
from high places, and to abandon the principle
1t cmbodics. Sir, | embrace not all in this
sweeping condemnation. Some there were who
were untainted with the original sin Of annexa-
ton, some whose moral courage had not been
ty and the Establishments Of power and who,
now penitent, took, too late, this Only method OF
testilying their unavailing regret for that most
deplorablc and fatal error. But for the mass of
those who have both promoted annexation and
sustained the Wilmot Proviso, | have no such
charity. With these, two considerations were
operative. Some hoped to propitiate local feel.
ing at home; with others, the whole affair was
but an i'll concealed stratageln to dispose of an
ahrng ~ ,,Nnf. e.. q, d.,
cy, by compelling him TO commit himself on
this ticklish question by his vote in the Senate,
while his great rival was lying perdu at the
North, in position which relieved him from the
necessity Of taking either horn Of the dilemma
That Western gentleman has taken ground a.
gsinst the Provso; but in spite Of this, if he
should chance to be selected as the Democratic
candidate for the Executive chair, confess that
l know little of the Democracy, if his nusiest
adherents are not found among the very men
who dug that pit TO entrap him. The Provso,
it will be remembered, was adopted in the House
OF Representatives, as an amendment 10 the
three million BILL on the 18th of February,
l647, by majority of nine. On the Sd of March,
l847, the administration defeated the amend
ment by majority of five. Sir, they could Just
as easily have made their majority 6ty Some
solitary Democratic Abdie indeed, might have
been fonnd faithful enough, with flame of zeal
S'fS'e, " HoiHtuiu
against IevOltcj mutudes the cause
OF Truth"
But | am speaking what every member Of
the 25th Congress knows, when say that the
Northern Democrats generally were prepared to
abandon the Proviso at once and altogether us
soon as it was ascertainedA that il would be de-
feated in the Senate. But elections were ap-
proaching in New Hampshire and Connecticut.
there were vacancies in the Congressional dele.
CATION from Maine to be filed, and it was
thought not safe to shock the people of those
States by loo sudden a derellction from prln-
ciple which had Just been proclaimed with such
farfaronnade ofDemocratic tin trumpets. The
Administration preferred the risk of the moral
effect in strengthening the abolition cause to the
probable loss Of those three states, and therefore
issued dispenSaiiOn TO the faithful of the North
graciousy permitting them, for this once, to adj
here to the abborred Proviso.
shall not characterize this relaxation OF par
ty discipline as crime; but considering the END
designed to be effected, it was what the grea
French intriguer said was worse-it was blum.
der. The people Of the North, even the Democ
racy, have taken their leaders at their word
pledged themselves irrevocably TO the grea
CHARACTERISTIC feature of the ordinance of 1857
and though deserted by their faithless guides
will firmly maintain The new position they have
assumed.