The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-07-01
For the Caledonian.

that sort which secured the nomination Of Mr.
Polk, simply because nobody had thought or
heard of him before as n candidate for the Office
which he now fills, and of course had never
impeached his character; yet there is u kind
of unsuitable ezPedicacH even in poltics,whch
may with proprety be resorted to, which in
wolves no moral wrong, no dcreliction Of duty,
which has for its object the attainment of'no-
BILE ends by noble MEANS and which con-
mends itself to the conscience and good sense
ofovery lover of his country. Perhaps there
cannot be n stronger instance cited in illustra-
ton of this sentiment than that of the celebrOt-
ed William Wilberforce--a brief alusion to
which recolcct seeing within few years
when member of the British Parliament, for
the abolition of the slave trade. lie was long
the intimate friend of Pitt, and when that
statesman was in the zenith of his power, and
able to carry almost any measure, he intro.
duced several petitions upon this subject, un-
der his immediate auspices, but after contend
ing manfully in the good cause in which he
was pioneer, was obliged to submit TO de-
feat. This must have been extremely annoy
ing, considered in connection with the peculiar
|
pee ted success, yet Wilbcrforcc was not man
calmly to sit down in n state of inactivity,
while good remnined to be done. According
ly when Pitt was superseded by his great rival,
Fox, notwithstanding his political opposition TO
the latter, and strong Partially for the former,
| Wilberforce again renewed his efforts present-
cd his petitions, and was successful. This
was done doubtless without any feelings ofhu-
initiation, any sacrifice Of scifrespcct or NOR
al integrity, on the part of the petitioners on
the contrary his sympathy with suffering hui
mainly, and his patriotism, placed him far
bove mere pnrtizRn considerations, and il is ut
tcrly Impossible to form an adequate idea of
the amount of good resulting from this one act
ofthat great christian statesman. Had he
suffered his political predictions 10 eclipse
his sense Of duty, thus proving recreunt to the
cause which he had cspoused, he would have
done no more than is contemplated by those
! who suffer themselves to be deluded by the
''ono idea" principle of political nnti.slavcry.
Indeed, hazard nothing in expressing the O.
pinion that much greater amount of good
would have been accomplished, had this same
question been associated with either of tho two
great political parties of the day, rather than
by n separate and distinct organization; par
! ticulorly when such degree of intolerance
exists as TO run candidate in opposition ia
the lamentcd Adams, as has been done by the
third party, or TO denounce John Hale us
being far beneath its standard of abolition per-
fectionism. Numerous facts might be ndduc
ed showing conclusive!y that the Wing is the
true liberal party, though upon conservative
and constitutional grounds, while the demo.
Gratis, falsely called, have proved, if we may
be allowed to Judge by their votes in Congress,
rather than by their language at home, in this
respect at least false to the best interests of
the country. will however only mention
one instance When Charles G.. Atherton of
! New Hampshire, introduced his famous 'gAg
resolution, designed to prohibit the reception
and discussion ofpettions upon the subject
of Slavery, and almost every man of the party
voted in favor of it, only one whig from the
free States Geo ii. Profit ofIndiuna, after.
wards rewarded with n mission to BraziDcould
be found to endorse the measure. However
gratifying it might have been TO us here at the
north to have had a,mnn from our midst for
President, we ought perhaps TO RENE mber that
under existing circumstances, we must aid in
some manner in the election of one of the reg
ular nominees of the two leading parties, what
ever course we may adopt Gen. Cass has
unqucstionably pledged himself not to oppose
the extension of slavery over soil now free and
every rejecting man must concur in the opin.
ion expressed in the National Era, that ait is
far better to have STAKEHOLDER for President,
than to have a northern man with southern
prime iples'-especally one who will concede
without solicitation, what the South has too
much modesty to ask of us. In view of these
considerations it becomes every patriot to look
well at the bearing of the points at issue, be-
fore he allows himselfto throw his influence
in such a way as to rerpetuate the reign of
war, msrule and corruption, now existing and
. certain to follow in the steps of Gen Cass
$ should he be elected. Even his intimate per-
= sonal friends have predicted, that in case Of
his success, six months would not eiapse be-
v fore we should have war with England, as
: the result of the threatened seizure of the
d British w. !. Islands; and visionary as this
o idea may appear to some people,i it may be well
d for such to remember that it is an event of re-
: cent date for a President, in an informal ant
e unjust manner, to order our army into Mexico
r "for the purpose of defending the United
t, States!' and the man, who in his letter of &C
s ceptance of nomination for the same office
* says that he shall consider it the highest hon
r, or which can be paid him, to have the name of
n ''following in the footsteps of his illustrou
is predecessor'-an whose free and easy way
!, of treating the Constitution as an instrumen