The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-08-07
THE CALEDONIA
From the Boston Atlus.
Wilmot Proviso.


tosupposc that it is the only available means
ofkeeping in check the progress of slavery,
and the farther extent of slave territory. In
his we think they allow themselves to be
deceived. The Wilmot proviso, to have any
yaluc-to be ofany intrinsic meaning, Of ne
cc,sty involves the addition of territory
0course we must have new territory to give
Ot any value whatever. If we have no more
territory, it follows Of necessity, that there is
nothing for il to apply to, for we can have no
new slave territory if VIC have no territory at
all.
So, too, we fear some of our friends allow
themselves to be deceived as to the binding
and abiding force of this proviso, even lift be
adopted by both Houses of Congress. 1t
may pass one Congress and the territory be
thus admitted, and, after all, the proviso may
he repealed by the succeeding Congress, and
slavery established in the new territory thus
acquired, and thus we may have virtual and
actual spread of slavery, and increase ofslavc
territory, by the very means of, and under
the cover of the Wlmot Proviso itself!
Now, all this may be guarded against and
prevented in one way, and only one way
and that is to have no new territory at ALL
Then, and then only, shall we be sure to have
no new slave territory! Let the cry go FORTH
so MORE TERRITORY! 1t is Il cry that will
unite the entire Wing party, from Maine to
Louisiana. No new territory, no dismcm-
bcrmcnt ofMcxico! Upon this the whole
Wing party will he sure to unite, for such
is already the ground taken by Southern
Wigs. Il is higher, broader, and noblcr
ground than that occupied by the Wilmot
Proviso. 1t more surely secures us against
the spread ofslavery. 1t can be maintained
if the Wings are but true to themselves
throughout the Union, and it will more sure
" keep out slavery and slave territory, than
any method that can he devised.
This was proposed by Senator Berricn of
Georgia, in the Senate last winter, as n sub
.titutc for the three million bill. twas sup
ported then and would be again by all the
Southern Wings, and would, no doubt, unite
the entire Wing vote of the land. The fol-
lowing is the form in which it was offered by
Mr. Bcrrien:
"That the War with Mexico ought not to
I've prosecuted by this Government with any
view to the ACKNOWLEDGMENT ofthat Republic,
or to the acquisition by conquest of any por-
ton of her territory; that this Government,
ever dosirous to maintain and preserve peace
luI and friendly relations with all nations, and
particularly with the neighboring Republic
Of Mexico, will always be ready 10 enter up
on negotiations with aview to terminate the
present unhappy conflict, on terms which
shall secure the Just rights and preserve in
vioable the national honor of the United
States and MeXico that is especially dcsi-
mbIe, in order to preserve and maintain those
amcablc relations which ought always tG
exist between neighboring republics, that the
boundary ofthe State ofTexas should be de-
tinitely settled, and that provision be made
by the republic of Mexico for the prompt
and equitable adjustment of the just claims Of
our citizens on the Republic"
The above resolution goes farther, and is
ouch safer and better than the far famed
bviInot Proviso. 1t more firmly secures tc
the North the preservation Of their rights
prevents the acquisition of slave territory, by
preventing the acquisition ofany, and enable;
the Wings ofthe North and the South to nntC
upon one broad and common platform. Lei
then be presented and pressed unanimous
ly by the Wings ofevery section, and it will
be sustained by the judgment Gfthe whole
nation, by an overwhelming majority.
The same paper-thc Atlas-in speaking
ofihc Presidency, and in reply to the remarks
ola correspondent, further says:
'The communication which we pubIishC
yesterday, signed massachusetts" requires
from us few words ofcomment. The writ
eris a thoroughgoing advocate of the princi
pies of the "Wilmot Provisoj" are we
but the principles which it contains are OF
practical importance only in the event Of tn
United States obtaining additional territory
by conquest Or otherwise, from Mexico.
The war should be brought to an end withou
ofecting this result, then the Wilmot Provis
would cease to have any real Importance as
political ques ton. Our position is very cas-
10 aehhe. 1t the Administration or Congress
say we shall have Mexican territory, then W.
say it shall be forever free territory. But w
are wholly opposed to extending our South
erh limits. 1t is not safe to do it. Villa
security would there be against the spread O
slavery in Santa Fe, Taos, and Throughout
The Rlo Grande valley, if that country wer
ours, even though Congress should pass dc
clarltory act like the Wilmot Proviso? Per
maps 1t might exclude slavery from it Will
renamed a territory, Tough this we doub