The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-08-11
DOINGS OF THIRD-PARTYISM.


The Third party disclaimers are constantly
putting the question to Tho people, What
has the Wing party done to aboli sh slavery
as if want of success 10 subd ming this deep
rooted abomnation was evidence that no
effort had been made. But the real truth is
that all that has been done for twenty years
past TO eradicate the evil has been done by
the Wings. There is not Wing on this
side Of Mason and DlxoD's line who has not
denounced slavery with an ardent and sim
cere desire to adopt any and every feasible
measure toweaken its power and to bring on
ITS final exierminaiion. Out of Congress
they have set their faces like brass against il,
and in Congress have voted for every meas
ure which would have any tendency 10 sup
press slavery and repel its usurpation in the
government Of The country, not like the fol-
lowers Of Gerrison, Garrilt Smith and Br-
ney, by deprecating the union ard informed
ling with the institutions of the Sonth so
fan as guaranteed by the Constitution, but by
attempting to limit it 10 its original boundar-
les, and thus disarm it of its power for future
mischief and aggression. This was the
course pursued by the Wings on the admiss-
ion OF Missourinro the Union. The whole
North arrayed itself against the admission,
claiming for Congress the RICH, TO forbid the
introduction of slavery into every new state.
The course pursued by Mr.. Clay upon this
subject was truly characteristic Of the man.
A mighty cloud Of peril overhung the coun-
try. As usual, Henry Clay urged conclills-
Iioa and compromise. He went upon the
principle that the Union so violently threat
end with dissolution and then SO confidently
believed to be in danger. mus, be preserved
declaring at The same time that were he
citizen Of Missouri he would never consent 10
a state constitution which should not provide
for the extinction of slavery Not only upon
this occasion but as often as the most voice.
ferrous abolitionist in the Union. has Henry
Clay declared his adherence of slavery, la
menting its existence, and declaring that
were we about 10 lay the foundations Of So
ciety no man would be more strongly OBJ
posed TO Incorporating the institutions OF
slavery into lis elements than himself. Yea,
MIR. Clay commenced his political life with
an attempt in Kentucky convention to
provide for the gradual extinction OF slavery
in thai State.
The same determined and steady opposi-
ton to slavery has distinguished the wing
party from that day to this. But never was
this unfinchiDg hostility more gloriously
manifested than in the Presidential CANVASS
of 1874. Polk was avowedly brought forth
by shareholders with view to strengthen
their efforts for the anne Walton of Texas.
Mr.. Clay was the anii-annexation candidate
Of the Free North. The success of the bat
tie was poised upon the point Of annexation
and the consequent triumph or defeat oil the
slave power in the Uniou. James X. Polk
had announced himself the advocate Of an
nexation. Henry Clay had declared him
self the foe 10 annexation unless with
the consent of the great body of the people
and without war with Mexico. Now then
was the time for those who style themselves
par excellence aboliiionists to show their
sincerity by their works. Three millions Of
slaves at the South were stretching their i'm
poring eyes to them for final emancipation.
They had it in their power to give TO slave
dom signal defeat. But. alas. no sympa-
thy could be obtained for the poor manacled
slave from men avowedly combined to break
the yoke of the oppressor. but more anxious
to maintain their party organization for per.
soual aggraDdizement They have indeed
preserved their party. but the Cause Of slave
ry has been betrayed. and the country sur
rendered to the power of slaveecratic des-
potism forever. Not only has Texas been
but immense Provinces of Mexico
IRE to be thrown into the balance to depress