Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-08-31
j. Nom. Shafter on Van Buren,.
For the Burlington Free Press.


GEN. d. w. c. CLARKE
Dear Slr:-My attention has been directed To
notice which seems to be going the round of
the Locoioco newspapers attribulng to me an
abandonment of the Wing party, its candidates
and principles. II the opinions of go unlmpor-
tant person as myself are of any consequence
to others, there must exist a like interest in their
correct statement. No one can more properly
do thus than myself.
have hitherto acted entirely in good faith
with the Wing party-for the sole reason that
they have seemed 10 me, the only organized par
iy IRON whom was to be expected aid in the va
rlous pressing emergencies of the last few years
the extent of my political life. | now retain
the same opinion. have always been in favor
OF the nomination of Mr. Webster for President,
tor the reasons that lie is a statesman of the
highest Abilities of the largest experience and
services of any of our age and country. u is,
moreover, Northern man with national prnci.
pies.
was dissatisfied with the nomination of Gen.
Taylor Tor the reasons that he is stakeholder.
ana his opinions upon the all-absorbng topic of
The extension OF Slavery, are comparatively liz.
tie known. | have no hesitation in saving. that
IT any course could be presented by which the
election of Cass could be prevented other than
Dy the election of General Taylor by the people,
should not hesitate to avail myself of it: but
the truth Is there is no such way. ] was we'll
disposed to see il the Buffalo Convention would
not furnish some means of exrlcaiion, but in
stead OF doing so, it has hardly offered man
more acceptable tIlan Cass himself.
cannot bring myself 10 support man for
PRESIDENT who offers neither apology nor confess
slon for his past offences aud who has done more
tlan any other man living, to foster that spirit OF
bold aggression on the part of Slavery, which
annexed Texas to this nation, with all its conse-
quent evils.
10 elect Martin Van Buren,, would be 10 re-
ward the whole band OF unprlncipled men who,
IN 1874 augmented the extent of Slavery TO the
utmost OF their power, and brought upon us an
unnecessary and bloody war, terminating at last
IN digging pit of destruction from which moth
ing ont the wlsest and calmesl of counsels can
rescue u.s. when these men have labured as
hard and as long for good, as thew lave Tor evil,
1t will be time TO bcslow upon them the rev ards
of well-doing.
There are other and decisive reasons against
Mr. Van Buren,. His positioul iAye to Slavery
itself, is entirely unsound. HeHNSgainst its en-
ldrgement, bat can well tolerate the erisience of
II, IN cases where the same power is Admitted TO
exist for Ito prevention and destruction. Further,
he cannot be elected by the people. The result
is quite evident: either General Taylor mus, be
elected by the electoral college, or Mr.. Cass will
De chosen by the House of Representatives.
ms consider one of The greatest evils which
couId iail upon The country. The success OF
himself and party, will give us Slavery through
out tue conquered portions of Mexico, for time
we cannot ioresee, general system of msrue
"a farther prostitution of free abor-n short
we shal, receive from it the twin plaques, Slave
ny and Modern Progressive Democracy.
cannot consent in this crisis to waste even
one vote The same reasons which imnelled me
to vote for Mr.. Clay are equally binding now
and point unerringly to the support of the nomi.
nees of the Wing party.
There can be no help for the country until the
Locofoco party is disbanded and annihilated. |,
has stood in the way of all sound legislation. |;
has moreover, from the time OF Jackson down 10