The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-08-26

nor submit to the annexation of Texas to this
Union. Such annexation would result in its
dissolution. In fact. it wonlI be an absolu
u"n from the bonds and obligations Of the
Constitution
AT the close of the Goth Congress, thirteen
influential members, among whom were tb,
Hon. j. q. Adams, n. Is. CALHOUN, Gov. Sladc
air. Morgan, Of New York, and Mr. Howard
OF Michigan, all united in n manifesto in opno
silion to Texas annexation, in which they used
'"e ioiiowing language: I'VE hesitate not tn
say That annexation effected by any net or
proceedings OF the Federal Government or onv
"i lis departments. would he identical with n
uisso'utlon. 1t would be violation of our
natural compact, its objects, designs and the
great elementary principles which entered into
us formation. OF character so deep and funda.
mental, and would l,c an nttc,npt to intermiy
an institution (s!nverv) and power. Of a ma
lure e" unjust in Themselves, so injurious to
the interests and ahhorrrmt t., the feelings of
The people of the free States rs in our opin icn
not only 20 Inevitably res ult in a dissolution of
the Union. hut fn!!v to Justify it," In great
and studied address. delivered by Hon. j. O.
adams to the Young men Of Boston, reported
III the National lnt.iligencer, 18th October,
iS4l he used these striking and significant
words: Young men Of Boston your trial ia
nrrrohchihC-he spirit of freedom and th.
tplrii "t slavery are drawing together for the
deadly conflict # arms. The annexation of
net
Tor foreign. civil scrvle and Indian war of
which the Government Of your country fallen
in'o ialthltss hands. hnve already twice given
the signal /; first by Il shameless treaty, reject
ca ny viriuous Senate. and again bv the
glove OF defiance, hurled by the apostle Of nul.
hnea''on ut the avowel policy of the British,
e.'r'r'' peacefully TO promote the extinction
OF slavery throughout the world, .tc."
Mr " e6strr. while Secretary of State. made
speech Mt Buffalo. much referred to Mt the
time, III which he said: 81 never would con-
sent that there should be one foot of slave ter
rit"ry beyond what the old thirteen States had
ut The time of the formation of their Union"
In The same speech. he further saws as TO the
annexation of TEXAS: 81 sought an occasion To
proclaim my utter aversion 10 any suci, meas
nrc. md determined to resist it with ali nv
strength t" The last ] will not now or here.
after consent to he numbered among those who
introduced new slave power into the Union"
But 1t Is useless to quote more. know it is
commonly believed that the New Eurl,uI and
Northern people hav. always been lovnl ond
Union loving. And this is cmineutly true ms
to far thcagreai'r part of them. But there hns
Always heep party amongst them, in reality.
deeply hoahle /" the Federal Union. They
wanted a strong Government, approaching the
forms ct the British Government, in the Con-
rehtioh th"t proposed the present Constitution
lot The adoption of the separate and indcpend
cnt States of the Confeaeracy. This was man
hest'd IN that Convention by their proposition
OF senate for life and that the Pre- sident Of
the United States should appoint tn. Govern.
ors OF the different states, &c.
1t was the same feelings that prompted them
10 desire stronger Government. i'm the odon-
t'on OF the alien and sedition luws. and mani
rested itself IN 1926 by strong and decided
slnrathf Tor TIE stable and hereditary insii,u.
lions al Great britain, as contra-distinruis
10 the principles of the French, which seemed
TO io"k, nj that period, 10 more enlarged and
popular liberty. The same feelings were cx-
hiolted IN their deep hostility to the aconisi.
ton of Louisiana. and then broke forth under
the erhbnrS" OF Jefferson, and became openly
reasonable during the war of 1879 with t,reot
l5ritain ms the records of the Hartford Conven0
tlon prove beyond the possibility of denial I,
again sho wed itself when we acquired Florida
III 1919 and Texas in 1874 And apain il nm
peared III opposition to that brilliant war with
Mexico, through whose triumphs the star of
empire flashed lis light over the distant Pacific.
lhey nave ever been opposed to the pro.
gress and power Of the Confedcracy. MANY
are under great delusion in supposiup tha, It
u from the South only that complaints have
been made against the Union, and violent
threats Illuminated.
mere has been fur more violence and los
unity manifested by portion Of the Northern
people than wns ever exhibited in the South.
Chtii 1880. 1t was the South that strengthened
Inc Ch'on and bore it. successfully through all
us struggles and conflicts against domestic n nd
foreign foes, with n 'lisintercsted devotion and
hTnity unparalleled in the history of any pco
pie having such 'livcrsif ed local governments
anu interests. Besides this general hostility
10 The strengthening and progress Of the Fed
erni Union hy party in the Northern States.
M'e pages OF history show. for years ever since
tne missouri Compromise IL systematic consent
n and
ueIcat every measure that might strengthen
'he southern Statesf or secure their permanent
peace ana safety in the Confederncy IL fur.
ther shows that they were thoroughly under
STOOD by the British Government, and that this
'ahntical Northern party acted under the in.
s!'eations OF British policy md that the pub
nc men OF Great Britain made their calcula.
1lons upon it, in all their movements. The
weakening of our power by the dissolution of
the Union. was their political object, and thew
ased portion of n base and malignant party
IN the United States as their tools and instr,l-
ihehts: history, in after-times will 30 record
IL. These circumstances. which have briefly
brought together are necessary to ilIn,tra;es
The deep Importance Of Texas annexation. in
voivihg as It. did policy Of profound interest.
"hIch was. Mt the time, the centre priDciole
upon which the whole Democrrtic party re-.
VOWED. And Yet Mr. Benton has, to a great
extent, suppressed it, and mad. grave move.
'eSb uI'on Iar INFERIOR considerations
Nhere he hds treated of this Question. it ia onlv
TO present the views of partisan opponent,
VINO went off with faction Of thu Demoeratis
party under the lead of Mr.. Van Buren,, ,.-ss,
ifevIous to the meeting Of the BakiSfaaora
convention, i'll 1874. 10 nominate president ana !
VIce-lreeidcnt MIR. Clay and Mr. Van RureE
,D noth wroie letters against the annexation a
iexaa They were. Mt that time, considereH
the respective leaders Of the Wing and Demo.
eratic parties. The canvass, as to who sfou Id
oe Inc selected candidates of the two parties
had settled down pretty much to them. 1t
was great point to be gained, to conaiHate
M'"t ultra portion OF the Northern people who
were against the annexation Of Texas, and Mr..
Giay wrote his letter against j.. endea voring to
SINK the issue as far as the Whg party might
be concerned This letter was. I think. VIII
zen 9 from Ruleigh. North Carolina. while Mr..
clay was there; and Mr.. Van Buren, wrote a
similar letter from Albany, New York. They
were sent to Washington. and both letters an.
Peared the same day in the National InteIli.
gencer; or: if not prccisely the same dan, one
HnD1ara6 10 <yru ft1x Al.