The southern press., 1851-08-02

y
minister Of State, aud comes to n will, the unc.
J ton OF official dignity. and u,der the patronage
of agisteriaI authority, it is ~ sloquencs--all
ger ne American patriotism What right has
he, as an officer OF government, to proclaim
} himself exclusively Northern man! Has Il
come 10 this, that the government is already u.s.
sumed to belong to one section, and are we "a
be considered merely as their provinces! Is be
to be the Secretary OF State for the North alone
And is this TO be his policy in conducting the
foreign negotiations of the country! Are We to
be out-lawed! And is he, in no event, to protect
slave power or slave property! Where then is
our protection under the national flag Talk
about single State not being able to give pro-
lection TO our interests better, far better
stand alone--than to receive snch protection
as is thus rendered to us by the Secretary of
State for the Union. Is this not pregnant
chapter in the history Of our downward career
Fellow citizens tell you, it speaks language
not to be mistaken, and we must be prepared to
assert our own rights, or we nre gone beyond
redemption.
But, to progress with the history of Abo-
| ltion as connected with the annexation of
Texas-It is well known that great move
ment was made in this country, and also in
Crest Britain, against that annexation, because
it might strengthen and perhaps perpetuate
slavery in these States. About this period, the
"World's Convention was held in London,
with representatives from this country. as we'll
as everywhere else, for the abolition of African
slavery through Mt the world The representa-.
tves from the Northern States became fully
possessed Of the opinions Of such men as Mr.
Webster and Mr.. Adams at that time, and acted
strictly in concert with British phanthopists
and British statesmen in all their moves upon
Texas.
There was communication made by Mr.. j.
O. Adams to the British government through
Mr.. Lewis Tappan, and by him proclaimed in
the "World's Convention"
| Mr.. Tappan said, ain a conversation had with
John Quincy Adams on that subject, (the annex
alton Of Texas) he said, Il deem it the duty of
Great Britain as christian nation to tell the
Texans that slavery must be abolished that it
shall not be planted there after all the efforts
and sacrifices that have been made to abolish it
all over the world. The annexation of Texas
will he said, 'be leading topic next session.
but will oppose it with all the vigor and talent
that God has given me. If slavery is abolished
in Texas, it must speedily fail throughout Ame-
rica, and when it falls in America it will expire
throughout Christendom"
Sir Rober Peel Immediately after this, carried
the discriminating duty on sugar which is an an.
nua tax, on the ground that it would enable him
to make treaty with Brazil for the abolition of
slavery. His words were, snake the attempt
Try to get concessions from those from .Dh0m,
you get your supplies. You may depend upon it
there is growing conviction among the people
of these countries that slavery is not uuaccom-
panied by great dangers. In Cuba, in the United
States, in the Brazs, there is a fermert on the
subject of slavery which is spreading and rW
spread. Some from humane and benevolent
mOtives-sdme on account Ofinterested fears be-
gin to look at the great example we have set,
and begin to look at the consequences uhich mou
result from thai example NEARER HOME. IL is i'm
possible 10 look al The discussions in the United
States of America, and especially to the conflicts
bet,neen the Northern and Southern Slotes with
out seeing that slavery in that nation stands on
precarious footing (cheers.) The same feel
ing is growing up in Brazil and Cuba" &c.
Not long after December 26fh l843,
Lord Aberdeen, at the head of foreign affairs in
Great Britain, addressed that famous letter to
the Secretary of State in the United States,
which produced such profourd sensation in thi
country. He justifies the course his govern
ment pursued towards Texas in attempting to
procure emancipation there He SAYS" with
regard to the latter point (abolish slavery in
Texas) it must be and is well known, botn to
the United States and 10 the whole world, that
Great Britain desires, and is constantly exertng
herself to procure, the general abolition Of
SLAVERY throughout the uorld' Again he saws
-"With regard TO Texas, we avow that we wish
to see slavery abolished there as elsewhere. and
We should rejoice if the recognition of that
country by the Mexican government should be
accompanied by an engagement on the part of
Texas to abolish slavery eventually, and under
proper conditions throughout the republic
Fellow citizens! | am thus minute in trac-
ing the history of this great question: to show
you that the final result aid object of all these
movements is the total overthrow of your insti
tutions--that it is a concerted system between
Great Britain and Northern men-that they in |
tend to strike the blow when they dare do il
This letter of Lord Aberdeen was formally laid
before our government, and if the present Secre |
tary of State had been at the head of affairs.
where would we have been? With his present
declaration that he never had and never would
add to the slave power, he would then have
prostrated us at the feet of Great Britain, and
thrown Texas to the lion as sweet morsel to
be devourcd, only TO whet his appetite for the |
victims that were to be prepared for the greater
slaughter But thank God other men were at
the head OF affairs, and Mr. Cahouns great
letter as Secretary of State. turned the tide of
events. Texas was annexed and onr foreign
and domestic enemies were foiled.
The Hon. John Reed, leading. man and
friend Of Mr.. Webster, from Masaacbusetts.
used this language in a letter dated 4th August,
1S43,--"lt 1t must be understood that the free
States will neither consent nor submit to the
annexation of Texas to the Union. Such an.
nexation would result in its dssout,on.-In
fact 1t would be an absolntion from the bonds
and obligations of the Constitution"
AT me etings in Massachusetts,, il was resolved
over and over that annexation was dissolution.
and that Massachusetts was absolved from all
political obligations to the slave States" AT
the close of the Goth Congress- thirteen influen-
tial members, among whom were ]. Quincy
Adams, N. b. Calhoun, Gov Slade, Mr.. Nor |,
gan of New York, and Mr. Howard of Michi-
gan, all united in manifesto in opposition to
of Texas, in which they used the fol-
'oning language:
"We hesitate not to say that annexation ef.
tected by any act or proceedings Of the federal
government or any Of its departments, would be