Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-03-24

utterly opposed to the acquisition ofterritory to
be formed into new slavehoIding States, and,as
such, admitted into the Union.
But here, sir, cannot pause. / am arrested
by occurrences of this night which, confess,
fill me with alarm. They are ominous, por-
tentous. Votes which have been just passed
by majorities here, cannot fail to arrest public
attention. Every patriotic American, every
man who wishes to preserve the constitution,
ought to ponder them we'll. l heard, sir, the
honorable member from New York, Mr.. DIx,)
and with great part of his remarks | agreed;
l thought they must lead to some useful result.
But, then, what does he come to,after all! He
| is for acquiring territory under the Wilmot pro-
viso; but, at any rate, he is for acquiring ter
ritory. He will not vote against all territory to
form new States, though he is willing to say
they ought not to be slave States. Other gem
tlemen of his party from the Northern ami Eas-
tern States vote In the same way with the same
view. This is called s'the Policy of the North
ern Democracy" SO denominate the party
only because it so denominates itself. gen.
tleman from South Carolina, MIR. BUTLER,) if
understood him rightly, said he wanted 70
new territory; all he desired was equality, ana
no exclusion; he wished the South 70 be saved
from any thing derogatory; an vet ne does not
vote against the acquistlca of territory. Nor
do other Senators frcm Southern States
They are, therefore, III general In favor OF new
territory and new States, being slave States,
ms is the policy of the Southern Democracy.
Both parties agree, therefore, to carry on the
war for territory, though it be not decided now
whether the character of new acquired territory
shall be that of freedom or of slavery. This
point they are willing to leave for flu ture agita-
tlOn and future controversy. Gentlemen who
are in favor of the Wilmot proviso are ready
nevertheless to vote for this bill, though that
proyiso be struck out. The gentleman from N.
York is ready for that, and his Northern and
Eastern friends, who sit round him here in the
Senate, are as ready as he is. They all demand
acquision, and maintain the war for that pur-
pose. On the other hand, the other branch of
The party votes eagerly and unitedly for terrific
Try, the Wilmot proviso being rejected, because
these gentlemen take it for granted that that
Iproviso being rejected States formed out of Mex
leo will necessarily be slave States, and added
to this Union as such.
Now, sir, it has appeared to me from the
beginning that the proposition contained in
the amendment which was submitted some days
ago, by my friend the honorable member frou
Georgia is the true, and the only true policy for
US to pursue. That resolution was in these
words:
"Prouided aIicays, And it is hereby declared
to be the true intent and meaning of Congress
making this appropriation, that the war with
Mexico ought not to be prosecuted by thisGov-
eminent with any view to the dismemberment
of that Republic, or to the acquisition by con-
quest of any portion of her territory; that this
Government ever desires to maintain and pre-
J serve peaceful and friendly relations with all
nations; and, particuly with the neghboring Re
public of Mexico, will always be ready to enter
into negotiations, with view to terminate the
present unhappy conflict on terms which shall
secure the just rights and preserve inviolate The
!. national honor of the United States and of Me,
leo; that it is especially desirable, in order t,
maintain and preserve those amicable relations
which ought always to exist between neighbor
! ing Republics, that the boundary of the State o
: Texas should be definitely settled, and that pro
vision he made by the Republic OF Mexico TO
: the prompt and equitable settlement of the jus
9 claims of our citizens on that Republic"
6 This amendment rejects all desire for tn,
dismemberment of Mexico; it rejects acquisition
! of territory by conquest: it signifies wish fo
> the restoration of peace, and readiness on on
part to enter into negotiations, and to treat, mo
. only for peace, but also boundaries an,
indemnities. This amendment has bee
rejected: and now | come to the point
: Who has rejected it BY whose votes has thi
amendment, this very evening, been lost! ST
it has been lost by the votes of the honorable
member from New York ane his Northern ans
Eastern friends. 1t has been voted down b.
the ''Northern Democracy" If this ''North
ern Democracy" had supported this amendment
it would have prevailed, and we should the
have had no new territory at all and of cours
no new slave territory; no new States at all
and of course now new slave States. This /
certain and indisputable. If the Senate ha
said what that resolution proposes. the DANCE
would have been over. But these gentleme
, would not vote for it. To a man, they vote
Il against it. Every member of the Senate be
longing to the Northern States, however warm
: ly they have declared themselves against nev
slave States, yet refused to vote against all ter
!. rirorial acquisition: measure proposed and oil
: fered to them as a perfect security agains
: more slave States. They are for acquiring tel
:, ritory; they are for more States; for the SAX
! of this, they are willing to run the risk of thes
= new States being Slave States, and to meet a
= the commissions which the discussion of tina
y momentous question may hereafter produce
Sir, if there be wisdom, or prudence, or consis
tiency, sound policy, or comprehensive foresigh
:, in all this, cannot see It.
The amendment of the honorable membe
= from Georgia was supported by the votes
= twenty-four members of the Senate. Twent
: nine members voted against it. Of these twer
. LYNNE, there were six gentlemen representa-
!, Northern and Eastern States, viz. one frol
= Maine, one from New Hampshire, one frol
;" Connecticut, two from New York, and on
r from Pennsylvania. If these six members ha
. voted for the resolution, they would have turne
:, the majority, and there would, from that me
!" ment, have no apprehension of new slave terri
tory or new slave States. Against the resc
! luton, also, we heard the voices of FIVE men
y bers from the free States in the Northwest, VII
/. one from Ohio, two from Intiana, one frol
!. Michigan, and one from Illinois.
So tits evident that, If all the Senators frol
. the free States had voted for this arnenLmen
and against the acquisition of territory, snc
acquisition would have been denounced, in az
! vance, by nearly two-thirds of the wholeSena,