Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1847-03-24

comnlishrnent of free suffrage; but more partlcu-
lrlv with reference to the early admission OF Wis
consin into the Union, so that she may have an
immediate voice in the decision of great questions
arising between the north and the SOUTH and voice
in the selection of President OF the United ota!es
An acquisition of territory from Mexico, Will bring
up again the great question In Congress, whetner
the institution of slavery is to be prohDited OF eA
tended The decision of the question, in accordance
with the interests of freedom will depend upon the
strength of the free states in the councils OF the
nation. The vote of Wisconsin in the U. S. Senate
NAV be sufficient to turn the scale against slavery
and her vote in the electoral college, or In the
House of Representative, may be sufficient to de-
eide the contest in favor OF northern PRESIDENT
and northern principles What abolitionist then, In
view of the great national questions, likely to arise
during the ensuing two years. and thegrea interests
involved can deliberately vote from any consdera-
tons of local character, to Keep Wisconsin, with
her two Senators and two Representatives and iour
electoral votes, out OF the Union?
When in the state of New York, it was conten-
ded by the wings prior to the election OF delegates
to the Constitutional Convention, that Liberty men
should unite with them to elect free suffrage candl-
dates the reply was: We are national party-Ihe
great leading object of organization is to aDol-
| ish slavery-We can accomplish nothing OF impor-
lance in this regard except through the medium OF
| Congressional Legislation. We regard negro SUI
! fraee as important and shall do all we can, as a
party to secure to secure to colored men In this
state, the suffrage right. But our first duty is to
the slave; and can form no party alliances, Tor
| the accomplishment of any local measure which
will endanger our existence weaken us national
! organization and thus interfere with the accom-
! plishment of the great ultimate object we have in
view.
/ This reply was a sensible one IfLiberty men
| have national objects to accomplish which they
deem of the highest importance, and which no 9TH
er party will take in hand, it is certainly very es
sentia that nothing be done to weaken the strength
| of their general organization, which would certain
ly be the result of their turning aside to act with
either this that party in reference to matters OF
mere local import
! In Wisconsin, Liberty men seem disposed to take
different view OF matters. Negro suffrage In the
state, they are disposed to place higher, than the
great issue between freedom and slavery in the ma
ton; and Judging from present Indications are vii
ling to unite with the wings for the overthrow Of
a most liberal constitution, when by so dong, II
they succeed they are certain to lose free suffrage
and not only this, but contribute directly TO the
continued supremacy of the south III the govern
ment by keeping Wisconsin out of the Union. We
confess we are at loss to see how such course
of conduct can be justified. If there is the slight
est degree of proprlety or consistency IN IT. we hope
it may be pointed out
But we are led to expect that sober second tho'
will induce Liberty men to change their position
and that many OF them will be found, where, L
| they are sincere, their protested principles vii
naturally lead them-on the side OF the Constltu
ton, and in favor Of an early admission OF Wlscon
| sin into the Union.