The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-04-11

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majority OF the People of the U. States
constitullonally expressed.
3. Even this was not enough. In hi
inaugural address, March 4, 1887, h,
thus renewed his allegiance to the slave
power:
"Perceiving, before my election. the
deep interest this subject [saveryl was
beginning to excite, believed it a solemn
duty fully 10 make known my sentiments
in regard to it. And now, when every
motive for misrepresentation has passed
away, hope they will be candidIy weigh.
ed and understood. AT least they will be
my standard of conduct in the path before
me. | then declared that if the desire of
those OF my countrymen who were favor,
able TO my election was gratilied, | must
60 into the Presidential chair the infexi-
bic and uncompromising opponent of eoe.
ry attempt on the part Of Congress to
abolish slavery in the District of Column
bia against the wishes OF the savehoIdng
States, and a so with a determination
equally decided, to resist the slightest
Interference with it in the Safes where
it exists submitted, also, to nv fellow
citizens with fullness and frankness, the
reasons which led me to this determine.
ton The result authorizes me to believe
they have been approved, and are confded
in. by majority of the people of the u.
States, including those whom they most
Immediately affect. 1t now only remains
for me 10 add that no bill conflicting with
these views can erer receive my c0NStitu-
E0noI sanction" IF the 40.
itation of this subjec: was intended 10
reach the stability of our institutions,
enough has occurred 10 show that ii has
signaly failed, and in this, as in every
other instance, the apprehensions of the
limid, and the hopes Of the aoiched for the
destruction of our government, are again
destined to be disappointed. Here and
there, indeed, scenes of dangerous eGcite,
meat have been witnessed, aud IA reckless
disregard for The consequences Of their
conduct, has exposed iadi0iduals 10 The
popular indignation, but neither masses
of the people nor sections Of the country
have been swerved from their devotion to
the bond of union, and the principles it
has made sacred.'
In the true pro-slavery spirit, the MUIR
derous mobs with which we were assaI-
ed during these troubulous times, are vir-
tually justified BY this democratic Presi-
dent, and the responsibility of exciting the
popular indignation is charged upon
The RECKLESS disregard foi the consequent
ces' exhibited by aboIitionislsl The eff
frontery of such a charge can only be
equalled by the stupidity or hypocrisy Of
the abolillonist who will vote for such a
shameless defender of slavery.
4 In letter addressed to Walter
Leake, Esq, Of North Carolina, under
date, Washington, March 81, 1910, IAN
other Presidential election was then ap
proaching,) Mr.. Van Buren, writes:
IL have received your letter Of the 2lst
inst, aud can have no objection 10 say in
reply, that the sentiments expressed in
my letter to Junus Amis and others, on
the 9Th Of March, 1886, and substantially
repeated in my inaugural address, ARE
NOT ONLY STILL ENTERTAINED BY ME-,
BUT HAVE BEEN GREATLY STRENGTH
ENED SUBSEQUENT EXPERIENCE AND
REFLECTION"
5. The whole course of Mr.. Van Bu
ren's admins tration, while the incumbent
of the Presidency, was subservient 10 the
interests of slavery. In no Instance, so
far as our knowledge extends, did he for a
moment lose sight of the fact that he was 10
do the bidding of The slave power. His
conduct in the case of the Africans OF the
Amstad is but an illustration of bis gen
eral course, wherever The interests Of the
peculiar institution were involved. Tho
our readers generally are acquainted with
the facts in this case, brief recapitnIa-
ZION OF them may not be unacceptable
F,om the official correspondence COM
municated by the President to Congress,
in compliance with Mr. Adams resolu'
lion, it appears that Mr.. Van Buren, was
anxious for the surrender OF these Afri,
cans TO the Spanish government:
THE Spanish Minister had claimed
them NOT as property, mot as sLdreS,
but as dssussins. But Secretary Forsyth,
in corresponding with the United States
District Attorney for Connecticut, ayers,
in the face OF the fact, that the Spanish
minister had claimed them as Spanish
property and directs the attorney to
take care that no proceeding OF your
Circuit Court or any other judicial TIL
bunal, places the vessel cargo, or slaves,
beyond The control Of the FEDERAL Elk,
ExUTIvE. Here was an evident attempt
to overawe the Court, and take the cap.
tives out of their hands, and restore them
as property under the treaty with Spain
The U. S. schooner Grampus, Lieulenan
Paine, was actually ordered to the coas
Of Connecticut for tina! purpose, while the
trial was pending, with the view of hur
! Il L