The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-03-27


small one less perhaps, than 20 per cent OF the whole
but possessing great activity and political Influence m
proportion to lis numbers II consists OF the political
leaders of the respective parties, and their partisans and
followers They for the most part, perfectly ndii-
erent about abolition and ready to take either side
for against according To the calculation OF the ouca
chances their great and leading object being to carry The
elections espe caly the PRESIDENTIAL and thereby receive
the honors and emoumens incident TO power both IN the
federal and State governments:
Such are the views and feelings OF the several classes
IN the non sav ehodng States, reference to slavery as
il xsts with us 1t is manifest, on survey OF Inc
whole, that the first class-ina u.s. me abolnon parry
proper-is the which has given the impulse, that
has put in motion this crusade against our domestic IN
stuon Ii Is the only one that has any decidedly nos
Tile feelings in reference to IT, and which IN opposing T.
is acated by any strong desire TO restrict, or destroy H.
But may be asked, how small class rally
large majority OF both parties in the non eholdng
States TO come to the determination they have IN refer
ence TO our domestic institution? To answer this ques
ton is necessary TO go one step further and explain
the abtua state OF parties IN those, and indeed Ill al
most all the States OF the Union.
There are few of the slaveholdng States, perhaps
not more than three in which the parties are not
nicely balanced as TO make the result OF elections boh
State and federal doubtful to put 1T IN the power OF
small party, firmly linked together, to turn the cleo
lions, by throwing their weight into the scale OF the par
y which may most favor its views such is the abolition
party They have from the FIRST made their views para
mount the party struggles OF the day. and thrown their
weight where their views could be best promoted by
pursuing this their influence was soon fe IN the
elections and consequence TO gain them soon became
the object of party courshp first by the wings but Tor
the last twelve months eagerly by the democrats
eourted by both each striving by their yea! to win their
favor by expressing their earnest desire to exclude what
they call slavery from all the territories of the United
States acquired or be acquired No doubt the Mexican
war; and the apprehension OF large acqui son OF terrific
~ the saveholdg States has done much to produce
this of things; but of itself would have been fee
| ble The main motive, then, OF this crusade
against our domestic institution, to be traced to the all
absorbing interest which both parties take in carrying the
! elections, especially the presidential Indeed, when we
IL. Al If thnt aIn
| all times great, is now sweel probably to the rate oil
seventy million of dollars annually and that the nilu
OF its patronage gives great sway not only over
its own but the State elections which gives, IN adj
diton control vast amount OF patronage and the
control of the federal patronage, with all It's enolnmens
and honors centre in the President OF the United States
it is not at all surprising that both parties should take
such absorbing interest the presidential election, act-
ing both do the principle OF turning opponents out
of office, and bestowing the henors and emoumenls OF
government their followers the reward OF PARTISAN
services In such state of things 1t is not matter Tor
wonder that OF policy well calculated to con-
clate party like the abotonsts, as that OF excluding
by both parties in the nom avehodns Staes when by
securing their support, each calculates on winning the
rich and gltterng prize of the presidency In this is to
be found the motive and object OF the present crusade
against our domestic institution the part OF political
leaders and their partisans in those States
1t would be great mistake to suppose that It is the
less dangerous because it originates mainly in mere
party considerations, IN connexion with elections; II
will be that account but the more so, unless indeed
|
The absorbing, er-ridng interest felt BY both parties
to carry the elections, especially the presidential would
give such impulse to their efforts to conclliae the abo-
lonists at expense, if should look on with APP
parent Indifference as would enlist in their favor the large
portion of the savehoding States, estimated at seven
enths of the whole, which are as yet well affected to-
wards u.s. and utterly dshearen the small but intelligent
class, which, yet, is perfectly sound. The former
would conclude, in that case, that ourselves were
ndefensibe; and that the nonslaveholdng States might
carry their determination into full effect without hazard
to the constitution the Union, disturbing the har-
mony and peace of the country Indeed such has already
been our apparent Indifference, that these opinions have
been expressed, the floor OF Congress. But II
we should act we oaght-if we, by our pIompttude
defend rights, and to maintain our perfect equall-
ty, as members OF the Union, be the consequences
what they may and that the immediate and ne
cessary effect of counting abolition votes, by elhe
party would be TO lose ours very different result would
certainly follow. That large portion of the non-save-
holding States who although they consider slavery as an
evil are not disposed to violate the constitution, and
much less to endanger its overthrow, and with 1t the
Union ITSELF would take sides with u.s. against our as
u.s. would rally the rescue The necessary effect would
be- that the party leaders and their followers who expect
to receive the presidential election by the aid OF the abo
onsts, seeing their hopes blasted by the loss OF our
votes would drop their courtshp and leave the party
reduced to nsgnifcance, with scor The end would
be-should act in the manner lndcated-the rally OF
a new party in the savehoding States more power
full than either of the old, who, this great question
would be faithful to all of the compromises and obhga
tons of the constitution and who, by uniting with us
would put final stop TO the farther agitation OF this dan
gerous question Such would be the certain effect OF
meeting with prompitude and unanimity, the determine
ton Of the sayehQdng States to appropriate all the
Territories to their That has not yet been SC
met, certain; and the next question is, why has 1t no
BEEN and what is the of this apparent indifference
in reference to danger menacing II not promptly and
untedy met on our partf
1 In answering this important question, am happy to
say that have reason TO attribute this want OF
promptitude and unanimty to any division OF sentiment
or real Indifference, the part of the people OF the slave
holding States, their delegates in Congress On the
contrary, as far my observation extends, there Is moi
certain indication of either On the trying questions con-
nected with the Wilmot poyiso the votes OF the mem
bers from the saveholdng States at the last and present
sessions, unanimous To explain what IS really the
cause must again to what has already been stated
the absorbing interest felt in the elections, especially the
presidential and the controlling influence which party
leaders and their followers exercise over them The great
struggle between the parties is, which shall succeed in
eectng Its candidate; in consequence OF which the pres
idenal election has become the paramount question All
others held subordinate to tby the leaders and then
followers Ii depends them to determine whether any
question shall be admitted into the issue between the par
ties in the presidential contest, whether il shall be par
tally or entirely excluded. Whether it shall be OF
the other is decided entirely in reference TO It's favorable
or unfayOrabe bearing on the contest, without looking to
the higher considerations OF its effects on the prosperity
the institutions, safety Of tie country Nothing can
more strongly illustrate the truth OF what have assert
ed than the course of the parties in relation TO the
question which claims your attention. Although none
can be intimately connected with the peace and
safety of the Union, it is kept out OF the issue between
the parties because is that the presidential voe OF
New York, and many others OF the non-sas ehoalng
States, will in all probability depend on the votes OF the
aboonlsts: and that the eIectsn C the President may
,a,1o tsa pf thGge