Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1848-08-03
THE FREE SOIL NORTHUMBERLAND
GEROUS TENDENCY.

ting OF the people Of this city in the Park,
probably on Thursday, for the purpose of
making demonstration in opposition to
the new compromise bill now before the
Senate Of the United States, in reference
10 the introduction of slavery into CAlifor-
MIA and New Mexico.
This movement, and the excitement
attending it, are no more than what we
had every reason to expect, Judging from
the Developments that have been making
in the Northern States during the las, few
months, The proposition introduced into
the Senate, under the auspices of Mr. Cal.
houn and Mr.. Clayton, whether it pass
or not, will receive unmi,igaled opposi-
ton from a considerable aud an ncrea.
sing portion of the old factions in the Nor
thern States formerly calling themselves
wings and democrats, including all the
old aboIitonists. The movement is increa-
sing every day through the North. 1t
was originaIIy commenced as political
agitation, about four years ago, and at the
first onset it was discovered that in the
free States the abolition candidate for the
Presidency, Mr. BIrney, had SIXTY thou
sand votes. Since that time, arising from
many causes, the excitement has increas
ed; the discounted among the wings and
democrats have gone over; aud more re-
Gently, Mr.. Van Buren,, with all his per.
sonaI and political adherents IN New York
and the North, has joined the same cause
hot from any patriotic or humane feel
iugs towards the blacks-for Mr.. Van
Buren, never had any such feelings to-
wards any coor-but solely ont of revenge
towards the democratic party, because
they did not nominate him for the Presi-
dency, worth 100000 in four years, in.
stead of General Cass, who is now before
the country,
The friends of Mr.. CIay-strong and
warm as they ever have been-are thrown
into the same condition by the nomina-
ton of Gen. Taylor in PhiIade phia. -
The abolition cause in The North, has,
therefore, during the last year, or rather
during the last few months, Increased in
intensity, in breadth and in depth, far be-
yond what it has ever reached since the
establishment of the republic. For many
years past the TWO organized parties
WINS and democrats been contrib
uting to build up n reputation for several
great men, such as Henry Clay, Martin
Van Buren,, John Mclean, and many 9th
ers. The friends and supporters of these
men having been disappointed in the re-
cen, nominations in Baltimore and Phil
adelphIa, are now endeavoring, under the
mantle of the popularity created for them,
to disorganlze all the old parties, and to
create new party-a party that may lead
to the most momentous consequences,
affecting the durability Of this Union, and
the link that yet binds The Southern to the
Northern States.
These distinguished individuals, whose
reputation aud popularity have been made
for them by their friends aud by popular
suffrage, seem, in moment of dlsappolnt-
ment, to have thrown aside all the feel
Ings Of patriotism which lormerIy CONTROL.
ed them, and to have engaged in the I'M
wholesome business of creating excite
ment, and forming union on an isolated
question of abstract humanity, which, it
II reach certain point, will assuredly
cad to separation OF the North from the
South, and to all the disasters that might
be avrn"'"h =, Cll"m from such an event.
We never will accuse Mr. Van Buren,, OF
patriotism; for his whole life has exhibited
nothing but an utter disregard of every
thing but his own personal advantage. =
II there ever was selfish politician on
this side Of eternity, he is the embodiment
of such a one; and yet, from the popularity
and position which he has heretofore ac-
CURED, he may become one of the most
important personages of this country, as
regards the fate Of the republic now called
the United States.
The agitation of this question in the
Senate and in the House of Representa-.
lives only increases the movement among
The people of the North. The bill which
is called the compromise, and which was
introduced by Mr. Clayton, is very gener-
ally objected to for lis cowardIy character,
either one way or the other. The people
are getting excited on this subject, and
are leaving the usual topics Of Presiden.
Iial election almost alone and solitary
The mass meeting called on Thursday
next in this city, will only increase the
excitement. and spread it throughout the
North, until the great convention meets
at Buffalo, in the month of August next
That body will then have the whole field
before them, with all this agitation to urge
them on; and the probability is, according
10 all appearances, that the nomination
which they may put forth, will carry a
much greater weight, and have heavier
force, than The two old parties imagine. -
We hear it said, also, tina, MIR Van Btu
rem, Notwithstanding his nomination by the
Utica convention, will probably be SO, a.
side in the Buffalo meeting, and that mos,
likely john Mclean, Of Ohio, may be a.
1opled-a man whose character and repu-
ation are less liable to the charge Of self
shness and ingratitude, than that of Nj
Van Buren,. Whatever nomination be
made then, we much fear, from every
hing we see taking place around US, that
The convention to meet at Buffalo, will
lead to results Of The most extraordinary
importance to the future union and happi-