Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-03-21

~ free country. But my argument, my sug
,-esrion. is this that those gentlemen who com
nosed the Northern democracy when Texas was
brorpl,t into the Union, saw with all their eyes;
the, il was brought in as slave country anu
hrou, bit in for the purpose ofbeing maintained as
slave territory to the end ofthe Greek halends.
IrallIer think the honorable gentleman who was
then Secretary of State might, IN some OF his
correspondence with Mr. Murphy, have suggest
ed that il was not expedient to say too much a
bout this object that it might create some alarm.
At any rate. Dir Murphy wrote to him that Eng
land was anxious TO get rid of the Constitution
of Texas because it was Constitution estao-
fishing slavery and that what the United States
had TO do, was to aid the people of Texas IN
ppholdino their Constitution: but that nothing
should be said, which should offend the anat-
jcal men. But. sir the honorable member did
avow this object. himself, openly, boldly and
ulanfully: he did not disguise his conduct, OF his
motives.
MIR CALHOUN. Never, never.
MIR WEBSTER. Whist he means he is very
apt 10 say.
Alr CALHOUN. Always, always
MIR WEBSTER. And honor him for it
This admission of Texas was in lS45. Then
in 1917. fagrdnte beiio between the United States
and Mexico, the proposition | have mentioned
was brought forward by my friend from Georgia
and the Northern democracy voted straight a
head against it. Their remedy was 10 apply to
the acquisitions, after they should come in, the
Wiimot proviso. What follows? These two
genntlemen worthy and honorable and infueu
tlal men and if they had not been they could
not have carried the measure these two gentle
men, members of this body, brought IN Texas,
and by their voleS they also prevented the pas
sage of the resolution Of tie honorable member
from Geo -gia, and then they went home and TOOK
81, Sill Ind ,b-
stand, sir! They leave us here, bound in honor
and consc ience by the resolut ons of annexation
they leave here to take the odium Of fulfil
ling the obligations in favor OF slavery which
they voted US into, or else The greater odrum of
violating those Obligations while they are al
home making rousing and capital speeches for
free soil and no slavery. Laughter And,
therefore. ! say, sir, that there is not chapter
in our history, respecting public measures and
public men. more full of whist should create sur
Prise. more full ofwhat does create, IN my nind,
extreme modification, than that of the con uct
OF tins Northern denoc acv.
Mr. President, sumo lines, hen a man is fuuAd
in new relation of things around HIM am t.
other men, he says that the world has changed.
and lbal he has not changed. believe, sir,
that our sell respect leads Us often TO IN Ike this
declaration IN regard 10 ourselves, when 1t is not
exactly true. An individual is more apt to
change perhaps, than ali the world around him.
But, under the present cfcums Iances, aid under
tie resp visibility which know incur by what
anu now stating here, feel at liberty to rccur
10 the various expressions and statements, male
at various times, OF my opinions and resou-
lions respecting the admission Of Texas. and all
that has followed. Sir, as early as 1886, or in
The earlier part Of 1887, matter Of convc,sa-
ion and correspondence between myself aud
some private trends was this project oil annex
ing J eXIs 10 the United States: and an hon
oraoie gentleman with whom | have had n
long acquaintance, a friend of mine, now per
haps IN tbs chamber mean Gen. Hamilton of
South Caroliua-was knowing TO that correspan
den e. had voted for the recognition of Tex
an Independence, because believe it was an ex
lstng fact, surprising and astonishing as it was,
and wished well 10 the new republic; but
manifested from the first utter opposition to
bringing her, with her territory, into the Union
had occasion, sir, in 1887 TO meet friends in
New York. on some political occasion, and |
then stated my sentiments upon the subject. 1t
was the first time that had occasion TO advert
to 1t; and | will ask a friend near me to do me
the favor TO read an extract from the speech, for
the Senate may fad IT rather tedious 10 listen to
the whole Of It, Ii was delivered in NIblo's
Garden in 1897.
Mr. Greene then read the following extract
which he referred:
"Gentlemen, we all see that, by whomsoever
possessed, Texas is likely 10 be a siaveholuing
country; and frankly avow my entire unwil-
Ilngnes5 to do any thing which shall extend the
slavery Of the African race on this continent or
add other slayehodng States 10 the Union.
When | say that | regard slavery in itself as
great moral, social, and political evil, Only
use language which has been adopted by dlstn-
gulshed men, themselves citizens of sayenold-
inr States.
| shall do nothing, therefore, 10 favor or en-
courage its further extension. We have slavery
already among US. The Constitution found II
among Us: it recognized it, and gave it solemn
guarantees.
To the full extent of these guarantees we are
all bound 10 honor in justice, and by the Consii-
tuition. All the siipulations contained in the
Constitution in favor Of the slaveholdlng States,
which are already in the Union, ought to be full
flied, and, so far as depends me, shall be full
filled in the fitness of their spirit and to the ex
actness OF their letter Slavery, as it exists in
the States, is beyond the reach Of Congress- Il
is a concern OF the States themselves They
have never submitted it to Congress, aud Con-
gress has 10 rightfu power over it.
] shall concur, therefore, III no act, no meas
ure, no menace no indication Of purpose, which
shall interfere or threaten TO interfere with the
exclusive authority of the several States over
the subject of slavery, as it exists within their
respective limits. All this appears to Inc 10 be
matter Of plain and imperative duty.
But when we come to speak OF admitting new
States, the subject assumes an entirely different
aspect Our rights aud our duties ti.en bo
different.
| see, therefore, no political necess ty for the
annexation Of Texas to the Ulion-n1 advant
age to be derived from ii; ard objections to it
of a strong, and IN my Judgment of decisive
character
MIR. WEBSTER. | have nothing, Sir, 10
add to, nor to take back, from those sentiments.
1'hsi, the Senate viii perceive, was In 1887. =
The purpose of Immediately annexing Texas at
that time was abandoned or postponed and il
was not revived with any vigor for some years.
In the meantime it had So happened that had
become member of the Executive Adlninisra-
ton. snd was for 4 short period IN the Depait-
ment OF Safe. Tie annexation Of Texas was
a subject of conversation not confidential with
the Presiden, and heads Of Departments, as well
as with other public men. No serious attempt
was then made however, TO bring il about.
lett the Department of State in May, 1913, and
shortly after learned, though way connected
with ffical inflammation thar n DESIGN had hpFn