Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-03-01
For the Green Mountain Freeman.
John c, Calhoun.

no person can doubt Evidence of this has
been strewed all along his path for many years.
when he openly, and efectually, avowed this
with regard to the annexation of Texas, IN his
communication with Mr.. King, then our Minis
ter in Texas, he might be considered as breath
ing the spirit of the American nation, at least
of its ruling dynasty; but his language showed
that his heart was in it. His communication
was not dry, heartless errand from our Presl-
dent to Mr. King; but it was soul stirring aP-
peal for exertions 10 remove every obstacle TO
the annexation of Texas; and this all predca-
ted upon the importance to the slave interest OF
such annexation. All his movements, in the
Senate and out of it, testify to his anxiety for
this object. This course must have been
prompted either from spirit Of. patriotism, be-
lieving the system Of Slavery to be the sheet
anchor of cur free institutions, or from some
prospect of furthering his own personal views
and interests, or from consideration OF uon
these together. Now, | am not at all IN the
habit of believing, that all men are SO selfish
that they cannot make personal sacrifices, with
the sole view of promoting the public welfare.
The reverse of this has been, and is true in ev-
cry important revolution in government, what of
self ever crept into the heart or thoughts of the
sgners of our declaration of independence,
when they signed their names, knowing the con-
sequence TO be either halter for their necks, or
independence for our country, no more for them
r II "a. ZIG
prompted the thousands upon thousands, who, at
great expense, have attended the Liberty party
and Free Soil conventions at Buffalo? If sue.
cess was obtained in any degree, or, if it hail
been obtained in any greater degree, it would
ensure to the common benefits of the country,
at least for the benefit of all who sincerely de-
sire slavery to cease its aggresslons upon our
rights and privileges. In all the instances here
named, if there were any, that looked through the
dark mazes of an uncertain conflict between
down trodden liberty and triumphant tyranny, to
see any benefit to themselves in the prospect
which would not be common to all, they must be
few indeed
Not such, exactly has been the case of Mr..
Calhoun. His position before the public for
many years past and his character for talents,
and his devotion to the slave interest, exhibit
him a prominent candidate for the Presidency, it
that could be effected by the slave power alone.
Hence it is very probable, and somewhat posi-
Bile, that his zeal IN the slave interest has BEEN
and is in some degree, excited by his indiydu-
al prospects Let his ultimate object be what
it might be- the annexation of Texas with its
slavery, could not fail to operate in his favor in
two ways. LIST. 1t brought two slave supporting
Senators into the Senate, and two persons of
like friendship to Slavery, into the House of
Representatives, and four electors of President
into the Colleges; and these Senators and Rep
resenatives and Electors to be increased as
vsis the slave power can divide, and subser
FlolS eAts INTO Indspendo..4 es.-.---, e..L ~l-
as the population of that territory may increase,
whether the increase be of Slaves or Freemen.
I'd. 1t rendered very difficult the escape of
Slaves from the old slave states into Mexico
where they would be free. The United States
laws now secure to the Shareholders, the same
right 10 pursue their fugitive slaves into Texas
as into any Of the northern states.
An enquiry may be suggested, if Mr. Cal
houn was intent on extending slavery, and en-
larging its area in the Union, why he SO une-
quivocally condemned President Folks ordering
our troops to the Rio Grando, and hurrying on
the war Of conquest? An answer and proba-
bly, the true one, is at hand. 1t broke the chains
of Mr.. Cahoun's calculations, and brought his
whole plan into jeopardy. His plan, undoubt,
eddy was, to have one. Mexican State after a.
mother, set in Shareholders sufficient to declare
their independence, and form a constitution es-
tabishing perpetual slavery, and then como in
to the union, with all its slavery, Texas like,
and, in this way, very soon render permanent
in the hands of Shareholders that control of the
~'affairs and the emoluments of the federal gov
eminent, which they had already exercised for
several years. His policy has been to have the
slave power agrees upon freedom gradually,
but as fast as they would bear it and sleep qui.
city, and past experience and observation united
to encourage him to 60 ahead pretty fast But
he undoubtedly feared, what he has lived to see,
that slavery, pushing forward its aims by war
of conquest, would wake up the sleeping north,
and excite him to a more united opposition to
slavery.
His course, as thus far noticed, would appear
CONSTANT with the patriotic object of securing
the continuance and extension of slavery, and o.
establishing IN the slave holders abundant pow
er to boost him, MI Calhoun, into the Presiden-
tial chair.
But, if his proceedings thus far may seem
CONSTANT with each other, how shall we recon-
Gle TO them hts late STEM to nlan 4;a-elu.ioe y
the Union! How would slavery be promoted
by dissolution of the Union? o, it is an.
swered, there would be formed great South.
ern Republic, peopled by domineenng slave
holders, and ignorant degrading, two-legged
goods and chattels, and there be made and
trimmed great lew presidential chair for Mr..
Calhoun to sit in. 1t would seem that the saga
cious mind of Mr. Calhoun would not dwell
long upon the prospect of these Halcyon days
before he would glance at the sure approach
evils not to be avoided nor overcome.
With the dissolution of the Union, would ceas
that never failing shield of slavery, that consti
tutional guaranty of the whole military fore
of the United States to quel Instructions