Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-09-09
PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRACY.


question in principles, its progress is downward
and in the estimation of the people, it seems
also to have a rapid progress In the same drec-
ton. For example, see elections in Tennessee,
North Carolina, Alabama and Indiana. As to
grave matters of principle: it is within the re-
collection of the people that the locofocos in Yer
mont originally professed to be opposed TO tho
annexation Of Texas. On this subject they pro-
fessed to occupy high grounds, in common with
the Wings, and voted with them on various oc
caslons in the legislature. But the Baltimore
Convention uttered its slave cratic edict in 1914,
and the ocofocos Of Vermont tamcly submitted
the yoke of Mr.. Polk was put on without muir
mur, and the vote Of the sole representative Of
locofocosm in Vermont was given for Texas and
perpetual Slavery. Progress dopn,rard was that,
in our judgment.
| About that time it was objectedby the Wings
that annexation would produce War with Mexi-
co: and then the locofocracy had the good sense
to deprecate war. They were apparently quite
as averse TO war as their Wing neighbors, and
spared no pains to make us all believe that war
would not Follow from annexation. Even Mr..
Polk boosted OF annexation "bloodless a
chevemeht," and our peace-lovng locofocos
Rugged him closer than ever. Alas, in one short
year Mr. Polk got war upon his hands-with-
out declaration by Congress, and so an uncon-
situtional war: but here again the locofoco
doctrine of unconditional submission was e.
voked, and we found the party red hot for war.
Another progressive step downwards, if we mis-.
take not.
In the progress Of this war, it became evil
dent by the seizure Of sundry MEXICAN states
by the establishment of temporary governments,
and by the declarations and promises of our gov
erument-that conquest was the object and the
Wings took ground against the summary annex
alton Of Mexican territory, and especially against
slave territory Here, too, the locofocos origin
ally had pretty good appreciation of the cor
RICHNESS of Wing principles: they protested to
be with them against slave territory, just as they
formerly protested to be with the Wings against
annexation and against War: So they nave of
late talked strongly in favor of the Wilmot pro-
viso, and bravely insisted upon the exclusion of
slavery as a condition precedent to further an
nexation. That is the present ground, and the
next downward step will be TO back out from il,
whenever the file leaders OF the party give the
word of command. To that they will come at
last. Mr. BUCHANAN is their Secretary Of State
the man whose business il is to make the treaty
with Mexico, ifthe time shall arrive between this
and March A, 1913: and he has announced his
position. On the 25th Of August he wrote
letter 10 the ocofocos of Berks county, Pennsyl-
eania, in which he says:
After Louisiana was acquired from France by
Mr. Jefferson, and when the State of Missouri,
which constituted part of it, about to be
admitted into the Union, the Missouri question
arose, and in it's progress threatened the dissou-
ton of the Union. This was settled by the men
Of The last generation, as other important and
dangerous questions have been settled, in a spir-
it of mutual concession. Under the Missouri
compromise, slavery was forever prohibited"
north of 36 deg. 80 min.; and south OF this par
allel the question was left to be decided by the
people. Congress in the admission of Texas,
following in the footsteps of their predecessors,
adopted the same rule; and, in my opinion, the
ThaYnony of the states, and even the security of
the Union itself, requires that the line of the
Missouri compromise should be extended to any
new territory which we may acquire from Mex-
co.
should entertain the same opinion, even if
it were certain that this would become a serious
practical question; but that it could never be
: thus considered, must be evident to all who have
atientively examined the subject.
Neither the soil, the climate nor the produc-
tons OF that portion of California south Of 3G
deg. 30 min., nor indeed OF any portion of i,
north or south, is adapted to slave labor; and he.
sides, every facility would be there afforded To
the slave to escape from his master. Such prom.
&c erty would be utterly insecure in any part OF
California. 1t is morally impossible, therefore
that majority of the emigrants to that portion
of the territory south of 36 deg. 80 mn, which
VIII be chiefly composed of our fellow citizens
of the eastern, middle and western states, will
2 ever re- establish slavery within it's limits II
regard to New Mexico, east of the Rio Grande
the question has been already settled by the ad
mission of Texas
Should we acquire territory beyond the Rio
Grande and east of the Rocky Mountains, it i.
still more improbable that minority of the PEG
pie of that region would consent to re.estabsl
slavery. They are themselves, in a large pro
portion, colored population; and among then
the negro does not socially belong to degrade,
race.
Weremork first-that in thus speaking so par
ocularly of California, the Secretary of STATE
plainly inlimates that California is 10 be anneret
and he would not exclude Slavery south of SO
~. Let US see if the locofocos of Vermont will
swallow that Secondy-he tells us that in re-
gard 10 .Nsp Merico, east of the Rio Ora ode
the question has already been settled by the adj
mission of Texas: and yet what honest man, 10
cofoco or wing, dreamed in IA or AS that IN,
annexation Of Texas embraced .Nelo Merico
But Mr.. Buchanan tells the loco focos so an,
we ask the reader to watch and see whether GU
smart progressiyes in Vermont don't speedil,
swallow tina. too, and swear by il. Thirdly-i
seems that Mr.. Buchanan is not noo exactly GER
.ain whether he will take territory beyond III,
MO Hrande; and we call attention to this fact
because we apprehend that he will propress'
thousand miles or SO farther, by and by, and cal
upon the locos to back him. So far as the cues
lion oil Slavery is concerned, however, Mr. Buch
anan covers the whole ground-going for The
Missouri compromise, and of course against III,
Wiimot proyiso, in Toast at the conclusion
Of his letter;
The MissoiTi COmprOmise-Its adoption II
1870 saved the Union from threatened conyul
sion. Its extension in 1919 IN nil na,v ,...;,o.,