Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-08-10
MR.. EVERETTS ADDRESS
TO THE WINGS OF VERMONT.

TO The WINGS OF VERMONT.
Before entering on the main subject of this
address desire to say that | was a member of
your State Convention in October; and that I
was solicitous of being one OF your delegates at
large, on the ground that my extensive acquaint-
ance might give an additional influence in the
National Convention. l was aware that a por-
ton of the Wings of the south had, in 1874, de-
serted Mr.. Clay, in consequence Of his opposl-
ton to the annexation of Texas, yet my decided
opinion then was and now is that Mr. Clay
was the only man on whom the Wings Of the
north and the south, in the position which the
free States had (nearly unanimously taken, could
unite. And my purpose was to offer Mr.. Clay
as the compromise candidate--and if rejected by
the south, to take firm ground on the right of the
free States to nominee. For forty-eight years
out of sixty, the south had had the Presidency
and the administration, and in right and JUS
tce the free States were now entitled to the pre-
sidency. 1t then appeared to me that by taking
"a firm stand on this ground-the Wings of the
south would have yielded their objections to Mr.
Clay, or that northern candidate would have
been selected The Wings of the free States had
the power, if united, in their own hands. | was
also anxious to establish as the front rank issue,
" No MEXICAN territory" The Wings of the
south had by their votes in Congress shown a
disposition to adopt that issue, and it was subse-
quenty adopted as the leading Wing issue How
it was defeated will be seen hereafter.
The course | proposed for myself, supposed
was in accordance with the views of a large ma
lority, if not of the whole, of the Vermont State
Convention. Though Mr. Clay was my first
choice, was aware that some doubted his avail
ability in Vermont, and some preferred Mr.. Nc
Lean, and it was not my intention to insist on
Mr.. Clay as an ultimatum, but should have Weld
ed my preference in favor of any Wing candi-
date-who would sustain the Wing platform of
the free States.
On being advised of the Wing cabal at Wash
ington to defeat the nomination of Mr.. Clay
and Of any candidate in the free States (of which
| shall speak here lfter,) | became the more soil
citous to attend the conyention-and attended
in a state Of i'll health and at my own expense.
now proceed to fulfil the promise in my care
of the 10Th June,-to state my reasons for no
giving in yOur adhesion to the nomination o
Gen. Taylor, and for my uncOmprOmising hos
tility to his election.
For my acts of commission or omission al
your delegate, acknowledge my responsible,
to you. But for my personal opposition to tn,
election of Gen. Taylor, l am responsible to n,
one l claim the right of an independent free
man, to think and act for myself
In my card l stated that, as your delegate
had not given in my or your adhesion TO III
nomination of Taylor If this was fault it wa
also the fault of the other three delegates VIII
did not vote for Gen. Taylor In convention
they were equally sent; what they may have sub
sequenty done is their individual act Thei
commission as delegates expired with the ad
journment of the convention.
| also stated that should have voted agains
its confirmation, had rot the resolution bee
withdrawn | then believed, and yet believe
that this also would have been, if fault, fau
in which four of your delegation would hay
shared | raise no issue between myself and an
of the delegation; but they have my leave to stat
the conversation and its results, of five of til
delegation at the Astor House on the Monda
evening previous to the convention. Mr. Ba!
ter was not present
stated | should address to you the reason
for my course as your delegate. This is tt
right of defence Am l to be condemned III
heard! AS to my opposition to the election
Gen. Taylor | repeat | am not responsible
any one-I claim and shall exercise the right
act for notwithstanding to my judgment.
will not consent to sacrifice high and vital pri
ciples to mere party expediency
| Among the resolutions passed by your conye
ton, in Oct. 1847, Il pass by the others as
minor consequence were the following
90. RESOLVED, That we cordially approve of the pri
ciples of the Wilm0t provso and that the shou
be invariably and efectunly insisted and applied
all future acquisition of territory.
9 "3. Resolved, That in the opinion of this Convo
' ton, the existing war with Mexico was unjust in
6 inception, and its prosecution with the design and
-, the purpose of the dismembement of that Republ
and the conquest acquisition of her territory or
compel her to sell us the same, is equally unjust"
These two resolutions embody the great pri
l. ciple of " the no further extension of slavery
G They do not refer 70 slavery as it then exlste
+ Or to abolition of slavery, but the extension
o slavery and the slave political power 1t is frc
e this last consideration that it derives its hight
Importance.
! 1t is this power-the supremacy of the sla
political power that will not only ensure the c
/ tension of slavery, but will control the emit
g action of the Government.
At The great point with the south is, to secure
i" controlling, and even two-thirds ma orty in t
e. Senate. By the admission of Texas, the SEM
Mt is equally balanced-giving them one new ST.
I'd by the division Of Florida-tOur more from Tex
ID proper, and three more from the Treaty cessiC
90 will add to their side sixteen Senators, to viii
al the free States can oppose only four from t
= new States at the northwest as to OregC
IL Mr.. Webster's prophecy will prove true, it v
III constitute a separate Government and to
&C this add "by degrees" twenty additional Sta
IL from Mexico But you ask, will the Mexc
States be slave States? OF that have no dou
s. Their population is composed of two races
m different coors-the Spanish and Indian;
C. latter formerly slaves, and now virtually SO,
nv debtors. Races hostile to each other.
Look at the recent case of Yucatan-5OO,C
L. Indians rising in arms against 81, 900 Spaniar
90 And how was this contest regarded in the |
~ Message of the President? As a servile wal
a.. as a war of races-the black against the VIII
III And what would have been the effect of the S
d. jjugation of the blacks by military force ?
ducing them to state of slavery. This is
m an example of what may be expected from M
le- lean States under the supremacy Of the 81