The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-14

may be called time TER TIME, give casting be-
tween the North and the South slavery questions.
But it is not the South alone who is concerned In this
question II is the whole coniederacy II is every State
in the Union; because on the agitation of these ques-
lions depend the harmony, the peace the stability Of the
Union. Every friend of the country has an interest in
keeping down this agitation Once Martin Van Buren,
saw this consequence when he solemny said:
The abolition OF slavery in the District of Cou nba
against the wishes of the saveholdng States (assnnng
that Congress has the power effect } would rolgte the
pVH ofba compromise Of interests which lies at the ba sis
OF our social compact and thoroughly convinced that
1t could not be done without imin peril If not GER
tai" destruction TO the union of the States Viewing the
maet In this light 1t is my clear and settled opinion that
the federal government ought abstain from doing So and
that ii is the sacred duty of those whom people OF the
United States nrust with the control Of its action
the constitutional power with which they invested
to prevent it.
Once Martin Van Buren, declared that he would veto
any bill which contemplated the emancipation of slaves
in this District And yet here is wing Vice President
who would vote not only for that measure but for the
introduction OF slaves from one State TO another
Martin Van Buren,, too has changed his key He usti-
es his change OF position by the sophsy
and the most disingenuous misrepresentation His son
follows suit at Faneul Hail. and thus avows the designs
Of his father
He is charged by individuals the South with having
abandoned the opinions he entertained Unquestio
ably he did say, after he elected the presidency
1884, that he would veto bill for the abolition OF slavery in
the District of Columbia. He undoubtedly does say now
that he thinks it pnwse do it, But if both houses
congress fit % do it, he will such bill And
his Justification is to be found il found at ALL in the changed
state OF the country Eleven have passed that
declaration made. The South were then defending
themselves, as they urged They contcnng them
-eve with the territory they had then acquired Since then
they haye brought Texas into the Union by They
have forced this question into two consecutive elections
Nay they have demanded that the candidate for pesi
dcncy now should PROSTATE himself at the feet OF the slave
power and should be willing concels that they have the
ght Independent OF any legislation whatever, march
with the armies and the power of this into free
rtory, and plant there the evil and of slavery Is
not, then, that the full power of this
try should be executed in abolishing this evil Can be
the part of statesman wond it be the part wise man.
resist the action of the representatives Of the people, if
they choose to take this coursel
What he thus grossly msrepresents, is nothing more
than the claim of the South for participation of this ter
rtory common partners in the Union They would be
content with comparatively small portion too, accord
ing to the principles of the Missouri Compromise But
the whole argument of the Van Burens is disingenu-
and unsatisfactory. The times are not changed
SO as TO change the principle which Martin Van
Buren, whilst he was seeking the support of the South
pleaded the imperative considerations which then ope-
rated upon him as strongly as a constitutional inter-
diction could do The objection then lay at the very
"basis of the social compact" 1t then involved "imm
peril if not certain destruction, to the Union it.
self" Yet Martin Van Buren, is willing to initiate
the example of Willard Fillmore, and pronounce liberty
10 all the slaves in this District. He, too, forgets the
warning voice of Silas Wright when he declared
Ifrhere be those among who misled by mistaken
sympathy by sudden excitement upon any subject and
forget their obligations the whole country to the con.
ution and the Union, let every effort persuasion
and example awaken them a of their dangerous
If there be those who for the sake
personal ambition, momentary political success viii
ling experiment upon the public passions, lightly
their constitutional obligations, to fomen sectional jeal
ouses and raise up geographical distinctions within the
Union let the absence Of our countenance and support
such that the personal qualification public servi
of any living objects of sufficient magni-.
ude be gained the expense Of the harmony of the
country, the peace of the Union, single letter the
list of our constitutional duties
Iamong there be any (Which Heaven forbid who re
prepared, for any earthly object to dsnember confed
eracy and destroy that constitution which binds toget
or, ARNOLD THEIRS, and let the de-
estaon and of every American be their constant
companion, until, like him. they shall abandon country
whose rich blessings they longer worthy enjoy