The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-09-02

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stiere thisietser might properly closes
but, considering that am native OF
New York ,and that spent my life, till
nearly twehty,ihree years OF age, with
ID her bordersy permit me TO trespass
still farther. THE firstvote | ever gave
was for Martin Van Buren, for Govern
or of New York, in the year 1928; and
although l4removed soon, after to- the
State Of Indiana, | did not forget him in
1886, nor ip, 1840; but with all Of
youthful devotion and attachment, |
struggled with ardor for his success in
both those campaigns;r nor was will.
ing to yield the race oi.1S44 to another,
til convinced by my judgme nj and the
result Of the Commercially New York
city, and Virginia elections, that defeat
awaited us it we selected him as our
candidate. lam devoted to free soil
and free labor, and no vote Of mine shall
knowingly ever be given to pollute the
one or Cypress :he other with slavery.
That Congress has he power;to probib-
it the introduction of slavery into our
territories where it does not exist, must
be clear to every one who has investi-
gated the subject, and is capable off rea-
soning; but ! do not think it is neces-
snry, to accomplish this desirable object,
that Mr.. Van Buren, should be elected
to the Presidency. In times gone by,
no one went further than Martin Van
Buren TO sustain the southin all her de-
nnands upon this subject; and cannot
see by what right he is now made the
exclusive champion Of free. sod and free
labor. This may ormay not be par.
amount question TO all others; but how
ever you may regard it, will not your
object be accomplished by the election
of General Cass' This can only be an
swered by knowing the opinions OF, that
gentleman, and how far the carrying
out of those opinions will affect the
question. am not specially authoriz,
ed to give his views, nor have | any
other means of knowing them, than
such as are common to you and the
country; but as understand his Mich
olson letter, he holds that Congress has
no power to interfere with the subject
of slavery in territories. If this be So,
it is tantamount to pledge to veto any
act of Congress prohibiting or protect
ing slavery in any of our Territories
Slavery can only exist in a State or
Territory by authority of,he sovereign
power Of such State or Territory; hence
as it does not now exist in any OF our
Territories, it cannot be carried there
until authorized by the power exercis-
ing sovereign authority over the same.
That power can only be exercised,
while they are Territories, by the Con-
gress Of the United States; and, ifGen.
Cass stands pledged to veto any such
action OF Congress, what more can be
done by or expected Of iree-soil and
free.Iabor President! Cass and Butler
have been placed before the country IN
accordance with the usage of the DEM
ocra,ic party, and by the same means
that we were used to elevate Mr.. Van
Buren, 10 the Presidency; and they shall
have, as he has had, my cordial support.
With great respect, am .9
... your obedient servant,
Goo. g, - JOHN PETIT.
The following resolution, adopted at the meet
ing held in this place on the i25th Of December
last, to appoint delegates to the 9th Of January
Democratic Convention. expresses the same views
on this subject as we have been advocating in the
foregoing numbers OF Our paper: qa
"Resolued, That in any territory now
free, and which may be acquired by the
United States, slavery can never erist,
except by the positive enactmeats Of the
people who shall compose the SIatesj
formed out Of such teYritory;1-the
Constitution Of the United States con-
ferring upon Congress no authority to
create slavery" no 1al sfH jsar. : 81
Such was the unanimous resolve Of the meet!
ing on this subject. @''r "' '''5 ''". ~
Perhaps we have already wearied our readers by.
the discussion Of this subject. but we desired, in
this number. to bring ourremarks to anclose. A
subject which excites the preudices Of one section
of the Union against another, should always be
treated with candor. resort to abuse and threat
enings Of disunion should never be INDUCED in
Calm, dispassopate reasoning is the means that
should be adopted when any great national ques-
ton is under discussion, and especially that ques-
ton Is one which, by possibility. might lead to =
dissolution of the Union. We are not Of those,
however, who have any great tears that such de-
pIorable state Of things will ever take place. There
is, in the great mass Of the people, too moch love