Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-10-14
VOL. XII, NO. 4s.---wHOLE NO. 2l39.

objects to the influence of the North being
exerted to prevent the increase and extern
sion of the slave power. Certainly no man
OF sense can complain of this. | do not
know the man who says it is unreasonable
III us, or may not rightly be done by US
The apparent, obvious inequality Of free
and slave representation, so wholly incon-
sistent with the fundamental principles Of
republican government, we may properly
resist. But what is past, must stand And
say here, to-day, that, with the same firm
ness with which | would resist any further
increase of slave representation, | would
resist any hazard to the maintenance Of
the Constitution, by disturbing existing
rights under its provisions.
But, Southern gentlemen, sir, do com
plain of the Wilmot Proyiso in one thing,
that it is unequal that, if new territory be
acquired under it, it will be settled by fam
lilies from the North, without slaves, who
do not need slave labor. While the people
of the South cannot settle it, or live in it,
because they cannot take their slaves with
them if they emigrate, and cannot do with
out them. 1t tends, they say, to establish
against them a derogatory distinction, a
Notifying distinction. But look at the
force of this argument. am always hap
ply to meet gentlemen of character and abil-
| ity from the South, upon this ground but
what is it How stands the case, now .
They admit that the disproportionate repre-
sentation between the North and South, as
it now exists, is clear inequality; but iF,
new territory is to be had and more slave
representation allowed, is not that manifest
ly plain augmentation of such inequality!
Most certainly, it cannot be denied
| am not a prophet, sir, nor the son of
prophet. But if were to prophesy, the
very last subject upon which l should dare
to venture prediction, would be the course
of the Northern Democracy upon this sub
ject of the extension of slavery. The pre-
dictions Of the almanac respecting the state
of the weather, would be just as reliable as
any could make of their probable proceed
ings. | hope there are some among them,
| am glad to believe there are many of them,
who would go with us in support of the SEN
tment Of the Wilmot proviso but when we
come to the real question, the vote, who and
how many can we rely upon to help us p
Sir, what occurred the other day at Wor-
cester may serve to shed some light on this
matter. We find there no expressed adhe-
sion to the principle, but the reverse. The
Wllmot proviso was secuted out of the as
semblage of the democracy of Massachu-
I, sets; at least | have so understood And
: the Democratic, or Locoloco members of
| Congress from Maine and New-Hampshire
are we quite certain they will abandon
the administration, and support the proviso
against the slave power!
We can only say, and in my Judgment |
can only say, Mr.. President, that we are to
use the first and last, and every occasion
that offers, to oppose the extension of the
slave P gsy is BSf flcd i question, question
for statesmen to act upon. We must so re-
gard it. I certainly do not mean 90 say that
it is less important in moral point of view
t that it is not more important in many 9TH
: err points of view. But as a legislator, and
l in an official capacity, must look at 1t, con"
t slider it, and decide it, as matter of politi-
= cal action.
r Sir, am quite aware that am using far
h too much of this sunlight, and hasten to
+ few closing observations.
i If peace comes, it will bring with it some
r terms, | know not what How we are to
!, deal with the treaty, must be deferred until
u we have got it, and have seen what it is
: But suppose that peace should not come !;
It that the armistiee should be broken off !;
J. and that Congress assemblies with the war
e in active prosecution. What shall be done
them Now this is very natural question
a what is the answer! | would not ven-
l. ture to anticipate what may be suggested in
1t such an emergency, but my own mind is
1t perfectly clear. | hold the war-lnakiGg pow
o err to be entrusted to Congress- The con-
o sttuton places it there. L believe that
it Congress was surprised into the recognition
= of war on the 18th of May, 1916. be-
l. lleve that if the question had been put to
S Congress before the advance march of our
It troops, not ten votes could have been OBJ
: tanned to pronounce that there was then an
s existing state of things which amounted to,
: or justified war, or to declare war against
n Mexico.
: But war does now exist, and what is our
e duty | say for one, that / suppose it to
n be true-I hope it is true, that majority
: of the next House of Representatives will
. be Wings; will be opposed to the war l
: think we heard from the East and the West
o the North and the South some things which
: make that pretty clear Suppose it to be
e So What thenl Well, sir, i say for one
i and at once, that unless the President of the
CIilCu DtulCo sldll llldhG OUT Il Case WHICH
I shall show to Congress that the aim and OBJ
= ject for which the war is now prosecuted, is
= no purpose not connected with the safety of
b the Union, and the just rights of the Amer
e lean people-then Congress ought to pass
! resolutions against the prosecution of the
r war, and grant no further supplies. Iwould
: speak here with caution and Just Limitation.
= II must be admitted to be the clear intent
, of the Constitution, that no foreign war
t should exist without the assent of Congress.
: This was meant as restraint on the Exec
) utive power. But if, when war has once
begun, the President may continue it as
long as he pleases, and prosecute it for
what purposes he pleases, free of all control
of Congress, then it is clear that the war
power is substantially in his own single
hand. Nothing will be done by a wise Con
gress hastily or rashy nothing that par
takes Of the nature of violence or reckless
nessj high and delicate regard must of
course be had for the honor and credit of
the nation; but after all, if the war should
become odoius to the people, if they shall
disnnnrove of the ohiectS fnr u,h;cb :. ~