Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-09-21

stands alone without precedentn our previous his

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wing meetings, those which had nominated Taylor)
and this Philadelphia Convention, proceeded exactly
according to this reason that, believing Gen. Taylor
to be wing, they thought he could be elected more
easily than any other wing. That was the whole of
it. That sagacious wise, far-seeing doctrine of avail
ability lies at the bottom of the whole matter" Again
"ln my opinion it was a wholly unwise policy It
was not suited to the wing character 1t was short
sighted"
Mr.. Webster then proceeds to speak of Mr.. Cass,
and describes him of talent, ability, Of some
celebrity as a statesman, and every way superior to
his predecessor, should he succeed Mr. Polk But, in
the present state of country the most dangerous
man in whom the powers of the chief magistrate could
well be placed.
He also mentions all, that could well be thought Of,
in favor of General Taylor not in favor of his fitness;
but to show him less unfit than their opposites would
leave him. Among these are his being of frmer
mind, &c.,-and his impartial course of conduct since
he was brought before the public as a candidate.
Upon tho whole, he concludes that the contest lies
between Taylor and Cass and submits to the wings,
whether they ought not to vote for Taylor.
He does not forget Mr.. Van Buren's being also
candidate against General Taylor and admits him to
be less dangerous than Cass. Yet he thinks Mr.
Van Buren, will not obtain the vote of any State
But he chooses not 10 pass it over so lightly, or with.
out assigning some reasons for his opinion. These
reasons all predicated upon the opinions and acts
of Mr.. Van Buren, long ago-lOng ago This is the
common slang of many harpers and scribbers of less
note than Mr. Webster. This standing alone, even if
admitted to exist his opposers state, with no miti-
eating circumstance has been several times answer
ed, and well answered, and fully answered, BY
reference to St. Paul and supposition TINT his epis-
ties full of holy breathugs and practical instruction
in faith and practice attacked as being entitled
to credit, merely because St Paul, their author,
before he wrote those epistes and before his CONVEX
SON. was bold blasphemer and murderer and this
shown, not by the testimony of his enemies, nor
his political opponents, but by his own confession.
Aside from this, however, Mr.. Webster charges up
on Mr. Van Buren, the blame of all this misconduct of
the Democratic party after Mr.. Van Buren, having
been succeeded by Harrison, and Tyler had retired
from public life. His illusions in this behalf COM
prise that voting of the democrats which tended to
support slavery, and extend and increase its power by
the admission of Texas. 1t would seem that Mr..
Webster's usual magnanimiiy and candor would have
led him. instead of indicting Mr.. Van Buren, for the
crimes committed by the party to which he had be-
onged, to honor him as a martyr to his decided op
position to the annexation of Texas by which he lost
his nomination and election to the Presidency in
1874 while John Tyler, elected by tie wings, did the
whole work of admitting Texas before he went out of
, office.
1t is possible that Mr. Webstcr's candor may be a
little warped with regard to Mr.. Van Buren, by cir
cumstance, which he mentions in his speech. He
says that he and Mr.. Van Buren, were always oppos
ed to each other in every proposed by either
Probably each thought his views correct; and
far as relatesto the question which right, when
they thus Differed the verdict of the nation gen.
orally in favor of Mr.. Van Buren,
1t is nearly matter of course for political oppo
nents, to dsapprove the acts of each other. dis
cover no ground Which can approve any act, o.
any party, any man, which fosters and extends sla
: very. For many years back, however, there vert
e mitigating circumstances, which cannot now exist
: with regard to the motives of the actors. Mr. Web
: ster says, that none but the wings have ever frm
IL and stemly resisted the progress of slavery g
further than that say, without hesitation, that re
sisance to the progress of slavery has been al
article in the creed platform of either the whig par
ty or the democratic party. All the instances tina
can be named of resistance the progress of slavery
: by more or less of the members of the whig or tn
democratic party, exceptions to the general cours
general rule, of letting if not helping the slave
II holders to do as they pleased. While this tn
" general current with each party, it was hardly to b
expected, that any member of either party, would
dept course upon party question, in which his par
: ty would not sustain him. Let US apply these sug
e gestons to the casting vote of Mr.. Van Buren, men
'e toned by Mr. Webster There was, before the Sen
IL ate, test Bill between the South and the North,
10 prevent the circulation through the mall of what tn
d. South termed incendiary publications For this tn
lie South was very ANXIOUS The Senators divided
a the North against the South, in equal numbers M
he Van Buren, gave the casting VOTE Was the effect
ne that vote to make that Bill law, far the Senut
ne were concerned? So we might infer from whit
said by Mr.. Webster. Mr. Webster would have exh
a bted greater degree of candor, had he added,
IN the fact was that this vote gave the Bill one step fol
p ward there to stay, to be considered and amended,
ed necessary and then be voted upon again BY the Ser
n ale; where it finally ended. Now, as little as al
s. prove of retaining that Bill at ALL observe, it wOu
or require some irmess almost brass, in man situate
ce as Mr.. Van Buren, was with isAparty, and with
tn probable anticpaons of future aid from the South
We the ensuing election, to have voted out that Blin
progress, wien his vote, that of any northern sem
on Tor, at the next time voting, might do as well.
e. 1t seems that when Mr.. Van Buren, was Secretai
nd of State under President Jackson he wrote a lett
m of instructions to Mr. McLane on the subject of
to coasting trade easing off what Mr.. Adams had CO..
Or tended for as matter of right. This he charges
ks wrong in Mr. Van Buren,
he Whether right or wrong, why does he charge
tn upon Mr. Van Buren,? | may have imbibed wror
ed impression about our foreign relations. had su
I'll posed the President responsible for the decisions
las directions and the Secretary of State, only for Il
mr. manner of presenting and enforcing our claims. Al
YES Mr. Webster must know that President Jackson
nd have removed forthwith, Secretary of State, wi
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