Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-03-25
From the National Era.
Not Settled.

session OF Congress, by lhe 'O'e VII t'0 " "'i'"'
proviso. Far from it, AT the worst, the ques-
ton is left open. We were indignant at Witness
inc the servity of the representatives OF nom
Shareholders, and could not bear that the slave
should achieve another triumph over their integ-
rity. Every such victory strengthens that pow
err, aggravates its preens!ons, and confirms, in
Southern men, natural feeling Of contempt for
those whom they can so easily use.
Before the decision of the question in the
late Congress, some one was insisting on the
fixed resolve of the Northern members. "Ah,"
said Southern Senator, "we hare plenty Of Of
fees p Randolph termed these men in the mar
ket "b0se coin unfortunately they constitute the
only sort of Northern coin current in the South
Southern politicians uniformly act on the assump.
ton that the members Of Congress from the free
States hare their price.
MIR, bingham, some two years ago, disclosed,
incidentally, in a SPEECH he made, the real est-
nation in which Southerners held Northerd pol
iticians He alluded to the Wings and Demo-
Gratis of the free States, as the troops of the
Shareholder. They had been fighting his battles
with fidelity he said but they found themselves
in TOO advanced position, and begged to be
allowed to fall back, (Ths was in reference to
the right of petiton.) Mr.. Clngham, with
Ipraiseworthy consideration, entreaed that their
prayers might be gronted--that they might no
longer be forced to occupy position so extreme
as to hazard their very existence
This is the light in which Northern parties
are regarded -gracousIy permitted to be the paid
janissaries Of the slave power.
But it may be asked, are YOU not unchalita-
bic May not these men act from patriotic
motives? How do you know that they are con.
t-olIed by the influences you designate
Let us suppose a man, known to be unprinci
piled, or sel-seeking or grovelling,o debauched
A measure of vast Importance, founded upon
the fundamental principles of all just government
ment, is introduced in Congress.
At first, he gives it his prompt, earnest sup
port, recording his vote in the affirmative.
But an interested faction is against ia fac.
tiou sustained by the chief Executive power
By them sentence of condemnation is passed
upon the measure, aud their inexorable resolve
is to defeat it,
I Time passes No change takes place in pub
lie sentiment. The circumstances Of the country
remain the same, The important measure agar
is brought up. A few weeks only have elapsed
since the former disposition Of it, and now nc
discussion takes place upon it. The question
is put, ''Sha it pass!" And the man whom
we have described abruptly changes his vote, and
records it in the n"gativc
During the interval, several bills have passed
placing at the Presidents disposal some hundred,
of new offices-and 1t is known that the Admin
istraton is in the habit Of furtherng its purpose,
by promises to the rebellious, rewards to the
loyal.
/ Putting all these facts together, how can We
help being driven to the belief that the change
ling has been bought,
But, when it is known that the apostate has
not been reelected to Congress; or when the
appointment of himself, or some of his friends
to office, takes place, Just before or sometime
after the change of his vote or when both Of
these circumstances Co-exist, the demonstration
that he has 6cen bougM is almost complete
These are the considerations which would
make charity towards the large proportion Of
the free State men who have gone with the
shareholders on the WIlmot proviso contempt
lble weakness. No no. the brand-"Mc SLAVE
holders Janissary" be burnt deep upon
the forehead of every such traitor Let them be
marked every where that honorable men may
shun them, and point them ont to their children
as creatures who lraffick in their own SOULS hole
themselves in market as candidates always ready
to be struck off to the highest bidder
1t was in view Of this state of things that we
felt Inundated at the result of the struggle or
the Wilmot provlso But, certainly this result
i is not final. The question, whether slavery shall
be tolerated in any new territory that may be
acquired, is yet to be decided by the people
BY the laws of Mexico, Slavery is prohibited in
every part Of her territory. If, therefore
New Mexico and California be acquired, they
must be acquired as free Territories Suppose
a treaty made, stipula,lng for the cession, anc
that it should guaranty to the inhabitants right,
, acquired under their laws prior to the treaty, il
must be recoected these laws prohibited slavery
so that under this provision no one could claim
a right to hold slaves. Any other attempt tC
smuggle slavery by treaty into the new acquiSi
tons could scarcely receive the sanction of two
thirds of the Senate-in other words of forty
Of its members.
: The territories once acquired, it would be
=, come the duty of Congress to organize terlitori
al Governments for them; and then, the grea
question would come up, as practical, no
q speculative one, as one requiring immediate de
csion. Towards this contingency, all eye,
should be directed for the momentuous respon
sbities involved in it, all hearts should be pre-
pared. The friends Of freedom now know The
l power of Executive patronage. They have seer
their cause betrayed by representatives corrupted
: by this nsiduous influence Shall they apair
l be cheated I Great men should be selected TO
action in great crisis above all, none but in
corruptible, fearless men should be trusted to con
duct the on-coming struggle between Freedom