Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-08-24

down in this Hail. we have another source
of safety in those Northern Democratic
Senators who stand out in bold relief as
the friends of the Constitutional rights OF
the South. Sir, let every Southern man
look at this thing as it really stands. Let
him not close his eyes to the fact, that If
the Wlmot proviso is rejected by this or
or any other Congress, if the Just rights of
the South shall be preserved and protected,
it must be ALONE by the aid of Democratic
members from the non-slavehoding States.
But If, contrary to our confident cXpecta-
tons, cur Democratic allies in Congress
shall Civ, way upon this subject, the South
has yet another and higher source Of Sc
curi;y, in the conservative power of the
Executive veto. Whilst the present incum-
bent of the Executive chair shall remain in
Office, neither the sacred compromises of
the Constitution, nor the Just rights of the
South are in danger. Sir, however much
James X. Polk has been rdiculed and abus-
ed by those whose greatest pleasure and
most grateful avccation is to detract from
the well-earned fame of honest men, he has
the wisdom to understand and the firmncss
to maintain the great principles which lie at
the foundation of our Republican instilu-
tions-equaity Of rights, equality Of prlvi-
Ieges, and equality Of burdens. How iorlu-
nate for the South how fortunate for the
Union, that in this evcntful crisis OF its fate,
the Executive power of the nation has been
conferred upon one who received the Re-
publican manilc from the dying hands Of
thnt stern old man, who once lived in the
house, and who yet lives in the hearts, and
will forever live in the grateful memory of
the American people But, sir, "Iempora
m"t0NiHr, ct MHt0A,Hr CUm Ills" 4 few
months only will pass away before the peo-
pie will be called upon to elect their Repre-
sentatiycs to another Congress. If this
slavery question shall not be settled at this
session of Congress, the dark, angry current
of abolilionism, which is now sweeping
with such fearful and increasing violence
and velocity over all the free States of this
Union, may overwhem those Democratic
members in this Hall, and strike down that
small, but gallant squad of Democratic SEN
aors who have thus far breasted the storm,
and given the only " aid and comfort to
the South which 1t has ever derived, or ever
will derive, from the Northern portion of
this coniederacy, in that venerable and ven
q
South shall he deceived and deluded by
those acts of deception and fraud which
have marked the conduct and procured the
success of the Wing party upon another
memorable occasion in the history of the
country, and which from present appearan-
ces arc to be the main weapons used by the
same party, IN the approaching contest.
the Executive power of the nation itself, the
last, best hope Of safety to the South, may
be placed in the hands of one TAYLOR
who, whatever may be his identity of inter
est and policy with the South. cannot, will
not, DARE NOT, consistently with his solemn
pledges, protect it, by the arm of the Exec
utlve veto irem the uniriendly enactments
of Congressional majority. Sir, let the
South look to it-let every man who has its
interests, It's rights, and its honor at heart,
see to il, that 50 far rs his vote and voice is
concerned, this great conservative power of
tic Constitution, upon which alone we may
hope TO rely for safety, shall not be placed
in the hands of one who will be but 4" clay /.
in the hands of the poter"--one who, what I
ever may be his claims upon the admiration .
and gratitude Of his country for deeds of
noble daring, stands pledged, if elected
President, to yield his own opinions to the /
will Of Congress. VIII ii be said, sir, that
General Taylor has reserved to himself the |
exercise of the veto power against clear un-
constitutional iniraction, or prccipltate and .
hasty legislation! What security to the .
South is there in this reservation! Let it .
he examined with all fairness and candor.
Can it be aIledged that any bill passed by
Congress excluding slavery from the Terri
tories Of the United States could be consid-
cred the result of hasty legislation That a
bill to abolish slavery in the District of CO.
lnmbia would be precipltate legislation or
that any other Congressional action upon
the subject Of slavery, however much it .
might affect the rights and interests of the .
South, would be oti-hand aud unadvised |
legislation subject which has been and .
will continue TO he, the theme of constant,
long continued and anxious agitation in ev-
cry section of the Union Will any body
pretend that this subject can ever assume .
the sudden and hasty form Of law, in what /
ever shape it may be adopted by Congress
No, sir. If ever fatal blow shall be struck .
against the South, it will be premeditated, !
deliberate act Of iniquity and injury. How
then could General Taylor interpoSe the En-
ccutlve veto to save the country from the eff
iects Of such blow, upon the pretence
that it was the result of hasty Congressional .
legislation? Will it be said again that all
such action Of Congress would be clearly .
unconstitutional, aud that, therefore, Gen
Taylor would veto it1 Sir, what do we
know Of the constitutional opinions of Gen
Taylor upon this or any other subject p
Has he ever formed or avowed one! An0 is
the South ready and willing to trust this most
important and vital subject to the hands of
one who has no avowed principles or opinions
upon whlchit can repose in salely2
But, sir so far as General Taylor has ex-
pressed any opinion upon the subject, is it
not against the South In his celebrated
" Slgnal' letter he gave his sanction and APP
proval to the ordinance Of 1857, by which
slavery was excluded from the Northwestern
Territory, embracing the States of Ohio,
Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan,
the baneful cause and foundation Of all the
fearful agitation which now threatens u.s.
Besides, sir, is not this power of Congress
over the subject of slavery in the Territories
and in the District of Columbia Il mooted
question: Do we not know that the whole