The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-07-01
.. From the marlborough Eagle.
Gen. Taylor and Free Territory

our Democratic contemporaries VIII not be
slow 10 inculcute il, that because we have
Southern man in nomination for President IL
follows, as matter Of course, that he IS III
favor of extending the institution Of Slavery
over territory now free. Tho accusation that
the Wings have abandoned the Wilmot Pro-
viso comes with peculiar grace from our
Democratic friends, seeing that they are
throwing up their caps for man notorious
" ihithess to Northern rights aud feelings
n mere tool in the hands of Slavery propa-
gnndists:--but they were never very scnsi-
tive or nice ia their Determinations & ifthey
can only prove that somebody else is ms bad,
or nearly ms bad as themselves, they are per-
fectly satisfied. But even this source of salts
faction is denied them in the present instance.
We do not mean to say that Gen. Taylor has
ever declared himself in so many words, III
favor of the WiImot Proviso; but we have
proof OF hand, which, fit does not come
quite up TO this point, shows TINT his position
on this question is much more in unison
with Northern feeling, than that of Lewis
Cnss, who is commended TO the people MS
Norihern man.
In April, l647 the Editor of the Cincinnati
Signal, n Democratic Wilmot Proviso paper,
published, an editorial article in his paper
aud forwarded it to Gen. Taylor. Below we
publish an extract from that article. Ii will
be seen that the principle of the Wilmot Pro-
viso is fully enunciated and insisted Oh.
Only on one condition, however. The En-
ecrdire must no longer insist upon Legislative
influence. There are questions approaching,
which the people must be allowed 10 settle in
their own way, without the interference of
executive patronage or prcrogntive. The
old political issues may he postponed. under
the pressure of circumstances, and MS for the
new-thosc coming events which cast their
shadows heiore-let il be understood that tie
only path of safety for those who hereafter
fill Presidential office, is TO rest in the dis
charge ofexecutive functions.and let the leg
islativo will of the people find utteronce aud
enactment. The American people are about
TO assume The responsibility Of frdHing the in
siiittiions of The Pacifc States. We have no
fears for the issue ifihe arena of the high de-
bate is the assemblies ofIhe people in their
Representative Hall The extension orer The
coutinent beyond The Rio Gtdnde oche Ordt-
nance Of 1857, is an object too high and pe,ma-
nent 10 be baf'ed By presidential eetoes. All that
we ask of the highest officer under the con-
sIitu,ion is to hold his hand, 10 bow to the
will of the people ms promulgated IN legisla-
tive forms, and restrain the executive action
in its appropriate channel. Give us mn hon
est administration of the government and an
end to all cubais of a cabinet-all interference
from the White lIouse--designed to sway or
thwnrt the action of the American people.
lfsuch simplicity and integrity should guide
tie administration of Gen. Taylor, the North
and West would yield TO it, a warm support
and an approval.
The following is the closing Paragraph of
Gen. Taylor's reply:
! With these remarks, | trust you will pnr-
don me for thus briefly replying to you,which
| | do with n HIGH OPINION AND APPROVAL OF
THE SENTIMENTS AND VIEWS EMBRACED IN
YOUR EDITORIAL. ..
! But we hnve more evidence to offer:---ln
! his Allison letter Gen. Taylor says:
| The personal opinions oCMe ndiridual toho
may happen TO occupy The Erscutire chair, ought
mol TO control he action of Congress upon qtteS-
i,ns oCdomestic policV; nor ought his objections
10 be jnteposed ,ohere questions Of conSttTtional
po,cer hare been settled By The rnrious depart
menis Of Government and GcqtGesced Ia By The
people.
Now no question is more firmly settled by
precedent, and has been more readily acqui-
esced in by the people, than the right and
power Of Congress to prohibit the introduce
ton of Slavery into new territory. THIS was
done by the celebrated ordinance of 1887
which excluded Slavery from the whole
North Western Territory. FIVE cannot ex.
pect the active cooperation of Gen. Taylor
in preventing the extension ofSlavery, We
have his word---a soldiers word of honor
that ho,wil not veto any legislation which
has for its OLDEST the limitation ofthat institu
ton. This is safe position for the country
We wish for no Executive interference. /
is the Presidents duty to erecute not to make
laws.
But how stands Gen. Cass in this matter
In the frs, place he is pledged 10 veto any bill
which prohibits the introduction of SLAYER,
into territory now free, his theory being tia
Congress has no right to legslate on this sub
t iect at ALL We will quote one passage from
n letter written by him some months ag
, with view to concilate the South. 1t di
conciliate the South!
''But there is another important considers
lion, which ought not TO he lost sight of, i
the investigation of this subject. The ques
Y ton ofthe increase, but of the diffusion o
o slavery. WHETHER IT'S SPHERE BE STATION
AIRY OR PROGRESSIVE, ITS AMOUNT WILL b
THE SAME. The rejection of this restrictio
. will not add one to the class of servitude, nc
Il will its adoption give freedom to n single be
e ing who is now placed therein. The sam
;; numbers will be spread over greater terrtor,
It aud so far as compression, with less abur