Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-10-19

they have entered zeaousy into the support of Gen
Taylor? There can be but one answer to these ques-
tons 10 me the presumption is irresistible. And
Gen Taylor himself confirms it by his silence. He, OF
course, understands tie force of the presumption he
has the good sense claimed for him. and must perceive
that his silence ,yH confirm it, and vet he is SILENT
Not word of dissent escapes him.
10 me 1t is the planest dictate ofcommon sense and
even OF common honesty, that Gen Taylor should
promptly dlsavow sentiments thus manifesty mpua-
BILE to him, If he does not entertain them How can
man, with an upright, ingenious mind, withhold dis
avowa III such case? 1t seems to me impossible and
therefore, If he is upright and Ingenious it seems i'm
possible to avoid the conclusion that he entertanS the
sentiments referred to. Yet in the face of this presump
ton, his Northern supporters claim that he NTH qts
on the great question. What strange position do
they thus place him in in reference to his Southern
supportershs original friends and The procurerS of
his nomination. 1t is the position of conceang from
them his real sentiments for the purpose of obtaining
their votes, with determination to come out for the
Morrill, when he shall thus have secured his election-
Is this Gen Taylor? If it is, he is surely not fit to be
President. But think his Northern friends do him
injustice by assuming that he is thus deceiyng his
Southern supporters. He has no intention to deceive
them, and they are not deceived. They understand
ham, and ne understands them; and the result Of this
mutual understanding is, perfect assurance on their
part, that, in the language of Senator Mangum, oil
N. CaroIlna "THE QUESTION IS SAFE IN HIS HANDS,"
But it is said, Notwithstanding all this that General
Taylor will not 60 with the South, and veto bill re-
strlctng slavery, because he has said he would veto
no bill "not plIpabIy unconstitutional" and that "he
will OF the Executive should not be nterposed when
questions of Constitutional power have been settled by
the various departments of the government and ac-
guessed in by the people" But why does lie deal in
these generaes, when the great question Of slavery
extension is directly before him? 1t is to no purpose
that /, ball.,
tutona. MIR Calhoun himself would say that but
shall We therefore, support h'm for the Presidency?-
What are Gen, Tayors ideas of the Constitution
touching the restricting Of SlaUuW The South, with
out distinction of pnrtes, deem such restriction I'M
constitutional Does he, OF does he not concur in this
opinion? Why will he not tell us? HIS Southern sup
porers do not understand him as intending to intimate
that he considers the restriction Of slavery constitution
all that "the question has been settled and acQues-
ced in" Ii they so understood him they would not
support him moment Have they not better means
of Judging what application he will make Of these gen.
eraI indefinite expressions, than we have? And yet
it is demanded oil u.s. at the North that we shall be,
eve that be means directly the reverse of his under
stood meaning among his friends at the South Now
why not quit this generalzing, and to the point?
Why 90 oil upon expressions which bind him, defn-
tely to nothing? He is praised as frank old soldier.
Let us have evidence of his frankness, He says
in his "Ason letter." that he has "no concoalments.'
Let us have some evidence of the truth Of this. Here
under the most general indefinite expressions, lie con-
cLaled his sentiments on great vital question. Let
him come forth from this concealment, take off the
mask. and stand up like man. Refusing to do this,
how can we give hun the credit Of sincerity in his
profession OF 'no C0nced5ment"
How in the face OF all these Prescriptions, can we
be deceived by his general talk about Constitutional
power, and so forth-binding him definitely to moth
ING, and evidently intended to bind him to nothing?-
And more especially when consider the force of
hs interests, his associations and his natural sympa
| hie5. Nobody can mistake as to the direction in
which these will lead him. The editor of the lead.
ing wing paper in Tennessee lat Nashvllle) sees this
matter in its true light when in auson to the lumor
that Gen. Taylor will favor the Wilmot Proviso, he
excaims-"A Louisiana Planter in favor of the Pro-
viso! Why the mtoIerube abslrdiy of the PROPOSE
ton almost forbidS us to treat it with atty degree of
seriousness"
The question, then, comes to this: Is Gen. Taylor
against all the strong bases of his mind, as a
"Louisana planter" against the well known expec
ations of his Southern friends and supporters-and
against the pledge implied from his consent to be pre-
scented, and urged by them as a candidate going to
stand up and breast the current Of Southern oppo5i
ton to the restriction of slavery? Let those believe
it who will. | do not. To assume that he will, and
that the North may safely confde to him their inter-
ests III this great conflict with the slave power is
treadng on ground that trembes at every step be-
meath our feet had rather be on terra frnd.
The principal effort of the supporters Of General
Taylor at the North, seems to be to show that he
tOM not velo bill restricting slavery. But this, il
seems to me, is only looking at the surface Of the
question There Is, in my Judgment, another aspect
of the case Of much graver Importance. There is nc
certainty that bill restricting slavery will ever
reach him for his action, should he be elected. His
election could Of itse IN my opinion tend to prep
ent 1t.
There is, it should be remembered great mora, poo-
er IN Presidential election. 1t gives tone and d.
rectlon to public opinion. The South understand
this. They see the pro-savery tendency of ralyng
the Northern wings of both parties to the support of
shareholders, candidates pledged to slavery; for
men naturally bring their sentiments and feelings into
conformity with those of the candidates they support
for Office. The tendency in this direction is very
strong. But this is not the worst of the case The
supporters of successful candidate, become, in a
manner, committed to his policy. The President must
be supported by his party. This is practically, the
law OF parties Ihe Northern Wtigs are tgaLblng into
thiS snare, and may find themselves under very
strong temptation to abandon Northern rights, OF
to shrink from manly vindicatlon of them DO they
indulge the expectation that Gen. Taylor is to have
no mind of his own? Vain expectation! He cM have
mind, and will, and policy, on the whole subject Of
slavery; and it seems to me the Northern Wings are
running an immense risk, in committing themselves
to it, by giving him their votes. Let those do it
however, who choose. In this matter choose TO be free
The influence which has heretofore been exerted
upon the Northern mind, through Presidential cleo
tons, and commitments to the policy of pro-saVery
Presidents has been immense. is one of the grand
secrets of the astonishing triumphs and continued
success of the slave power
But further The rejection in the nominating Con
vention at Philadelphia, of the resolution against the
extension of slavery has been proclaimed, at the