The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-08-07

Il 6LiDEj VI 4AiuulCOuiNf WIN was luNlltt
to address the Mass Convention at Sheldou
on the 18th inst, will be read with deep in
%terest. IT is d commanding expression Of
lofty sentiments and important truths:
albany Duly Ado.
MIDDLEBuRY. July 10. 1874.
GEo. FREDERICK HoUGHTeN, Esq.
DEAR SIR,-Your letter in behalf of the
Wing Committee of Franklin County, invit-
ing mt to attend a Mass Convention at Shell
don on the 18th inst, has been received. I
have delayed an answer from my strong de-
sire to make it affirmative, i'll could find il
possible to dispense with other engagements
long enough to allow me the pleasure OF meet
ing my friends at the contemplated gather
ing. But | find myself compelled to decline
your invitation, the duties of my Office being.
at present, toe urgent to admit Of any relaxa-
ton.
| shall long remember the pleasure | en-
joyed in my visit 10 Sheldon in 1870, and
should he exceedingly happy again to mingle
with my fellow citizens of Franklin county,
and commune with them concerning the great
matters of national interest which now occu-
py the public attention. The contest of this
/ lNni, ~ hNNu "a fCANNNhSsiu luilOiAu CtsiuC
contest Of 1910, for there are superadded to
the questions ofthat year, others of greatand
absorbing interest. The question Of protec-
ton to our industry, then litlc discussed, has
come 10 assume an importance, which makes
the protective policy the leading theme in all
our public discussions. At the termination
of a contest more severe, prOtracted and haZ-
ardous, than any tariff contest, perhaps which
| the cOnOfrv avar tvffnaSzaH tho hinC Ol
the eth Congress succeeded 10 establishing
a tariff, whose adequacy for protection, and
whose beneficial influence upon the exhaust
ed treasury, and the deranged exchanges Of
the country, tie lapse of less than two wears
has abundantly attested. That tariff, l need
not say. is in danger Of destrucIion-at least
in 50 much danger, as there is danger that our
opponents shall triumph in the pending con-
test. The undeniable hostility Of their Pres
dental candidate to the TariGfof 1872, brings
the question of its destruction to an issue
which cannot be avoided. Shall that tariff
stand, with no changes but such as its most
cautious friends may find, on experience
the equalization of protection to all interests
demands J or shall it be swept from the stat
ute book, as was attempted at the late session
Of Congress! are questions which are sus-
pended upon the discussions and decisions Of
this very year. ] know there are not W wanting
efforts 20 make it appear otherwise 10 the
people Of Nermont-eliorts, in fact, to show
that the very father of the protective policy
has become indifferent TO lis support, while
his rival for the Presidency whose whole pub
lie career has been marked with undisguiscd
hostility to il, has become its friend. The
discussions of this year viii diSpl this delu-
sion; and while they demonstrate, if demon
~stration can now be needed, the adequacy of
the existing tariA,wil show who are, and who
are not. the true and reliable friends Of this
great interest.
| am glad 70 see the people awake to this
subject, and rejoice to witness their DISPOSE
ton 10 gather in mass meetings to discuss IT.
When they come thoroughly TO understand
this great question, they will decide it right;
and they will determine that it is safer to
commit this interest to its old and tried friends,
than to trust to new professions made for
a special occasion.
But there is a new and f~earfully important
question which has been suddenly thrown be-
fore the country. TO be decided in the present
contest. ] mean the question Of a~nnexing a
foreign nation TO our confederacy-a ques@
ton involving, as it seems TO me, nothing less
than the very existence OF this Union The
consummatiOn of this project, which awaits
the triumph of our opponents in this years
contest, will be TO an act declar-
ing the Union dissolved; and If actual disco
luton does not follow. il viii not be owing to
any cohesive power in the Constitution, after
the confederacy shall have lost its identity, in
the new and monstrous connection with afor-
eign state.
There is no aspect in which this measure
can be viewed, in which it does not portend
evil and yet there are thousands who are
suddenly gOingfor il, with as much confidence,
as though they had made this great question
the greatest, in fact, that ever agitated this
nation-the study Of their v hole lives. In the
facility of change thus exhibited. upon a
question Of the greatest conceivable m
to the country, there is ground of alarm, ex-
tending far beyond the limits of the question
itself. What may not the power Of party
accomplish, if it can work the wonder OF sud-
denly raising up, as by magic, friends 10 such
a measure as thisl What is TO become of
our country, if its highest interests are thus
TO be made the sport of party l-if men are
thus to be moved in masses. and wheeled into
line, at the bidding Of party leaders? lido
not ask this question in the spirit of party.
No! no This is a matter which rises far
above all party COnSlueTdtIOuS. duu dppcdS
to a higher sentiment. than ever found a place
in the bosom of a mere partisan. Opposition
to this gigantic scheme is not among the
things which may be given up for the sake Of
securing some good which a party may aim
to accomplish, and which eau only be accom-
plished by party union. To hold on to a par
ty union, with such a sacrifice, would not be
"union for the sake Of the Union" but union
with the certainty of its destruction.
| need not say that the success Of our op-
ponents in this Presidential election would be
the success of this measure. Their candi-
date has been selected for the very purpose Of
it. He is committed to it irrevoca-
bIv. And where is Henry CLAY ~!-opposed
10 il and opposed for reasons of perpetual
force. The act of taking a stand in oPposis
to this measure, has given him a new
claim TO the confidence Of the nation. He
effect, said-let US strengthen and con-
solidate our present Union, rather than haz-
ard its existence in an attempt 10 extend and
the institution Of slavery. Mr.
Clay does not wish to perpetuate slavery
IL l., - .vr,p,tHxr nth the aheurd and MINI