Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-07-07
NOTES
to Lewis Cass' letter on the WiImOt PrOvisO
NUMBER V, AND LAST.

NoTE 7.-Those who have watched, in 81
lcnce, the course of events for the last two Of
three years, may think, with reason, they be
hold in certain quarters peril and danger.
spirit has been norrished, which, as it has al
ready swept away ancient landmarks, may, il
further INDUCED, carry us beyond the bounds Of
safety, and reason. "The downward road is
easy" For good, or for evil, we have been
making rapid strides. History reserves to her.
self the result. Bat a startling voice tells us,
the end is not yet :-strides upon the continent
are not enough; the next step is from the main
lard to the isles OF the ocean. Ample indeed
must be the folds of that flag that shall float over
all that some rash men desire. But whatever
has been the wisdom, or necessity of certain
measures OF our government whatever shall be
the final result OF late events, the treaty with
Mexico has now been ratified, and we have,
doubtless, vast territory upon our hands
That territory is now free from slavery, and
Congress, by the exercise of rightful authority,
can prohibit its introduction. It will then, be
peopled by those who have no desire to perpet-
uate slavery, and, with safety it can be left to
them to prohibit slavery, forever" by their
State Constitutions; and thus the IS distractng
question" of Stne sovereignty will be complete :
ly avoided. If any man has followed me thus
far in these notes, here let him pause, and re-.
fleet upon the Importance of the position which
Mr.. Cass has abandoned.
NoTE S.-\Vhen the winds are over, and the
sea smooth, the old ship, with all canvass
spread, can move bravcly on with her swelling
sails; but when tempest and black fury are up
on the deep, the ship hath urgent need of star
and compass, of beacon, and of trusty pilot to
bring her from rock and shoal to safe anchorage
in the far distant port. Who shall stand at the
helm in this hour of need? Every true heart
will respond It should be one, with pure heart
and sound mind, who in the light of the past
shall from the troubled present take broad sur
vey of the whole Union, and with the telescope
eye-nf statesman look far around him into the
distant future. For there he aust contemplate
the high mission Of this Republic and there
consider the destiny of a noble portion of the
human family. There too rests the hope of our
fathers, there too he must contemplate the I'M
ion-whether as firm, aud still retaining all the
glory and prosperity of the past, with its flag
still floating over our entire people; or as weak
and broken, with its fallen eagle gazing at the
scattered stars of the confederacy.
II Mr.. Cass should be elevated to the prcsi-
dental chair, | shall fear for the result but
above all, | pray that he may not act in ac-
cordance with the opinions expressed in this
letter.
! speak for my humble SELF and for myself
alone, give no council for others. As my
purpose has been to state the TRUTH if errors have
been committed in my statements, when known,
they will he readily corrected. If have spoken
earnestly, have spoken only as have felt If
freely, it is the duty and right OF every American.
May the Union, in all its glory and strength
be preserved without the further extension Of
slavery, and without the annexation of the en-
tire WORLDS the earnest wish of
CIVIS NATUS.