Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-08-25
Southern Locofoco 0pinions.

The Hon. Alfred ~Iverson, a talented Demo-
cratic member from Georgia, made a speech in
Congress on the 26th July last, and we invite
the attention Of our readers to some extracts
from it.
In relation to Gen. Taylor, he says:
"But, sir, so far as Gen. Taylor has expressed
any opinion upon the Wilmot Proviso, is it not
against the South? In his celebrated : Signal
letter, he gave his sanction and approval to the
ordinance of 1887, by which slavery was exclud-
ed from the Northwestern Territory, embracing
the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin,
and Michigan, the baneful cause and foundation
Of all the fearful agitation which now threatens
us Besides, sir, is not this power of Congress
over the subject of slavery in the Territories and
in the District of Columbia a mooted question ?
Do we not know that the tcAoie Wing party at
the North, and a large portion ofh Democrats.
claim the constitutional power of Congress over
the whole subject? And is it not even some
times conceded by Southern politicians?
Is it to be supposed, then, that Gen. Taylor
would veto any measure which received the
sanction and suffrage of a decided majority of
his political friends? But, sir, / ask if it is not
already well understood by those upon whom he
must mainly depend for success, that if elected
President he will not interfere with the action
Of Congress upon this subject? Sir, the letters
of distinguished Northern Wings positive and
public allegations of members of Congress reso-
iutions of Wing ratification meetings; and the
almost universal declarations of the Northern
Wing papers, speak plainly upon this point.
They support Gen. Taylor because they under
stand and beliece that upon this, as well as all
other questions of domestic policy, he will yield
to the decisions of Congress. Sir, does any man
believe that Gen. Taylor would have received
tbo oarn,aot,o, IF tho Db,1adaInI,a CacVapt.n,,
if it had been known or beliered that he would
veto the Wilmot Proviso? Will the miserable
pretence be set up, that because a Wilmot Pro-
viso resolution was laid upon the table in that
Convention, that therefore a majority of that
body were opposed to that Proyiso? Sir, it has
been admitted on this floor by a distinguished
gentleman from Massachusetts,, a member of tina,
Convention, that a decided majority of the Con
vention we're in favor of that P~roviso; and nc
honorable man who is familiar with the compost
ton of that body, will contend that he intended
to condemn the Wilmot Proviso by any portion
of its action. And is any man so blind as tC
suppose that by the nomination and support O.
Gen. Taylor, the majority in that Convention
intended to yield up their opposition to slavery
and surrender the principle of the Wilmot Pro
viso? No, sir. Both in that Convention anC
elsewhere, the Northern Wings support him, no
only because he is a Wing, but because they dis
tinctly understand and beiiepe that he win no
oppose their peculiar views upon the subject o
slavery, or interfere with their designs upon thu
rights and interests Of the South"
The position of Gen. Cas- is more satisfactory
"Sir, the opinions and position of Gen. Cas-
upon the subject of slavery, have been deliber
aiely formed and openly avowed to the Ameri
can people. If he should be elected President
and Congress should pass any law embracing thu
principle of that odious and infamous Proviso
he stands pledged in solemn form to interpos,
the Executive veto. He cannot, he will not, h'
dare not violate that pledge. He could not d.
so, without dishonor, and without bringing dow
upon his head the just execrations Of a defraud
ed and insulted constituency. But, sir, we hav
not only the express declaration of his opin
ions upon this subjective have more. We hav
his recorded vote in the Senate of the Unite
States, in conformity with these opinions. Whe
the treaty with Mexico was under considerable
in that body, Mr. Baldwin, of Connecticut,
Wing Senator, moved that the treaty be amend
ed by inserting the Wilmot Proviso, and maxim
it applicable to all the territory acquired by i
the name Of Letcis Cas- is recorded, along wit
all the Southern Senators, against the motion
None can question the justice, If they do IL
complimentary character, of the tribute paid
the Democratic party of the North and to n
Van Buren,:
"Sir, it cannot be denied that The only par
at the North from which the South has ever r
ceived sympathy and support upon this qucstic
of slavery, is the Democratic party. Ten yea
ago, that party were almost unanimous in OIL
favor, In every vote taken, as well in the Sta
Legislatures as in Congress, in which the que
ton of slavery was involved, there was scarceI
a Democratic voice raised against the constit
tional rights Of the Southern States. Look
the memorable scenes of 1S40-Mr Van Bure
was then the open and ar0wed friend of Sout
e,n rights he was surrounded and supported |
a powerful party at the North, that stood by hi
in the bold but dangerous position which he thu
assumed"