Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-10-27

CRIME, in all the Territories of the United States
where it does not now exist, Gen. Taylor replied :
81 have laid it down principle, not to give
my opinions upon, OF PREJUDICE in any way, the va
rious questions of policy now at issue between the
political parties OF the country or to promise what
,conld or eonld mol DO, were elected to the Pre-
sldenCy of the United States; and in the case pre-
sened in your letter regret TO add see no reason
for departing from this principle
10 Committee of the Mississippi Legislature,
ne SAID: "The south should NEVER AGREE 10 The
provisions Of The HIhaot proriso"
The Southern friends of Gen. Taylor claim that
he IS with them the question of admitting slave
into the territories Says TIE Aberdeen, Ala
| Wing: "He lives IN the South and makes 1900
| bales of cotton on the banks of the Mississippi
HIS interests and his feelings all ,cith u.s. Says
the New Orleans Bee: Gen. TayIor is, from birth,
association and conviction identified with the south
and her notwithstanding one of the most extern
sve slay eholders in Louisiana and supported by the
sayeholdlng interest, as opposed 10 The Himo pro-
risO aud IN farOr Of securing the prirege to o,cnc,S
of Slaves TO ,ch them to The nc,ciy acquired
territory" Says the Louisiana Ledger: " Colonel
Baie Peyon in his speech at the courthouse, sta.
ted that Gen. Tayl had recently invested one hun
bred thousand dollars in Negroes, and therefore
could not be in favor of the Wilmot proviso.' One
OF the resolutions OF the Democratic Convention at
Charleston which nominated him, testhes Gen.
Taylor is rith us, he is Of us and he is for u.s.
II human testimony can be believed, if his own
ueighhors know any thing of his opinions, if
his practice during long lie is any indication Of
his views, and it, added to his secneIcSt, his own
declarations are worthy OF crelit-in one word, if
Gen. Taylor is an honest man, he is utterly opposed
to the WImot proviso.
Gen. Taylor and Gen, Cass, them are both com
mltted 10 the interests OF the South. They both
in favor of all the south has ever asked-No
prohibition of SLlrcy IN the territories by act Of
Congress.
1t is not enough to say that slavery is illegal in
New Mexico and California, and cannot be estab-
lished without positive law Slavery was first in
troduced into this country wdhom law and against
law. Slavery had existed in Virginia fifty years
before any law on the subject OF Slavery was pass
ed, and it was not until l74S, after slavery had ex
listed one hundred and twenty eight years that the
first law was enacted by which the STAKEHOLDER
could legally lay claim TO his slaves Texas was
precisely in The same condition in which New Mex
leo and California now are, slavery having been
abolished in all three OF these provinces at the same
time, and yet slavery was introduced into Texas
just rs it viii be into New Mexico and California
without law, unless positive law is passed, prohi-
biting it. TO show what the law of the south is
and II either Cass or Taylor elected, Southern or
Anti Wllmot Provso judges will be appointed to
cNroumd the IaN--we give the following decision
OF the supreme court of Missouri at the October
term, 1917:
charlotte (of COLOR vs. Chouteau-Appeal from
Circuit Court--Reversed
Il. Slavery may exist without positive law
thorzing it,
az. The existence Of slavery is in fact presump-
tive evidence evidence OF its legality.
80. 1t it not necessary to show any general Gus
tom in country of holding negroes in slavery TO
prove its legality. fit be found to exist in fact,
even to limited extent and no positive law prohi-
biting it be shown, it will be deemed legal
i. 1t is not the policy of the slave states to ia
vOr the liberation OF Negroes"
This decision settles the question Of the absolute
necessity of the Wilmot Proviso Nothing but the
enactment OF the WiImot Proviso by an act of
Congress, approved by the President OF the United
States prevent the Introduction Of slavery INTO
New Mexico and California!
No freeman, then, can vote for either Gen Cass
or Gen. Tay Tor, without sacrificing the interests OF
Free Soil and Free Labor, and abandoning the only
issues involved in this Presidential contest
MARTIN VAN BUREN,.
What is the position Of Martin Van Blu
rem on the question of extending or restrict
ing Slavery ! Does he approve of the prn-
ciples of the Buffalo Platform Let him
speak for himself.
Il have examined and considered the
platform adopted by the Buffalo Convcn-
ton. Is BKEnrrrEs I-nr nronr-orIitIr, C3't;e
presents political Chart schich 1 can an
good faith support and Sustdin.'
How is he regarded atthe South I Ev-
cry Cass and Taylor press or orator. de-
nounces him as a Wilmot PrOvlso man.
as the head and front Of Northern OPPOSE
ton to slave extension, and the encroach'
ments Of the Slave Power. There is not
an intelligent man in the uniCn, acquainted
with our political history, who does not
know that Martin Van Buren, during his
whole life, whatever else he may have done
or left and0ne, has steadily opposed the ex-
tension of slavery into free territory. tic
opposed the Missouri Compromise, and as
Senator in the New York Legislature, vot-
ed, Jan. 29lh, 1920, 10 instruct the Sena'
tors, and request the Representatives IN
Congress for that State, to oppose the adj
mission of Missouri as a Slave State
When President of the United States, he
rejected the application of Texas to be re
cclvcd rs a member of the Union. And
when, in 1914, by yielding to the demand
of the South, he might have been second
time President of the United States, he
spurncd the bribe. with his manly letter
against Texas annexation, and sacrificed
his hopes of the Presidency, rather than be-
tray the interests of Freedom, and lcngthen
the cords and strengthen the interests OF
Slavery.
THE ISSUE.
What then is the issue in this Preslden-
tial election! Is it a Bank or an lndcpen-
dent Treasury None mention them. A
tariff, or the distribution of the proceeds OF
/ the Public Lands They are not named
/ in the canvass. These are all by universal
consent, obsolete questions. What then Is
/ the question which agitates the nation from
one extremity to the other! This ard no
Ifhing else Slavery, or Freedom, for New
/ Mexico and California! The extension or
the restriction of the curse OF human bond
aye! Homes for Ffeoaen, or P(0Hta'ionS
/ for SiarcS The triumph OF Democracy,
or Aristocracy The reign of Siavehold-
ers, or the rule of Freemen! DesFouc
/ Power, or Republican Equality ! National
! Honor. or National Disgrace! These are
The alternatives. Choose We.