Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-12-01
VERMONT PHOENIX.
BrattlebOrO, Friday, Dec. l, lS4S.

The Brattleboro, VT, Phoenix wishes US ITO
state whether, in case Gen. Taylor declares ex-
plicity to Congress, that he regards the question
Of extending Slavery to new territories as pure
ly legislative one, and, as such, shall leave il
exclusively with them--the Spy will support his
administration" This, it strikes US, is a curious
proposition for the Phoenix to make, and it seems
TO us that the Case offered TO us, is a mighty
small one for the superstructure he would have
us put upon it.
In the first place, we should consider such n
declaration, by Gen. Taylor, an abandonment Of
power placed in his hands by the Constitution,
for wise aud benefcent purposes, and, Of course,
a violation of the spirit Of that instrument, and
an unmanly shrinking from the duties imposed
upon him by it. We want a President, who
would not hesitate, for moment, to veto a bill
which should authorize the extension Of Slavery
to the new territories provided such bill should
be passed BY Congress. We want President
too, whose influence will be on the right side
in favor of liberty and against slavery. We be-
lieye the people desire such an one, and that
they will not long be satisfied with going to slave
plantations and taking slave drivers for their
rulers. We believe, too, that the time is not
far distant, when they will withdraw their conf
dence from those northern men, who, combining
with the south, present them with the alternn-
tiyes Of choosing between two nominations mot
fit to be made" or of casting their votes for II
third candidate, without the hope OF electing
him.
With regard to promising our unqualified sup.
port to any administration, il would DC more than
we could do, or ever have done. We can
support no man or set of men, any further than
their measures conform TO our opinions Of right.
On this principle, although tho administration
of Gov. Briggs, in this State has generally met
our appreciation, yet we have sometimes found
it our duty, to condemn his course. Such was
the case in relation to his proclamation, in sup
port Of the Mexican war. On the same princi.
Pile, when the great body Of our political friends
in Cong ess voted for the Mexican war bill, and
afterwards voted for every thing the President
asked to carry on war which they themselves
pronounced to be unconstitutional and unuec-
essary" We did not hesitate to condemn them
for Il.
We cannot therefore promise indiscriminatC
support or opposition to any administration
But, one thing we can promise, that Gen. Tay
lor's administration will meet with no faction.
opposition at our hands. Believing him 10 bt
wrong on the great question Of Freedom boll
by interest and feeling, confirmed by all his for
mcr associations, we shall, Of course, feel it oui
duty, faithful sentinel on the watch tower
to watch his course, closely, and to sound tn,
alarm when the interests Of Liberty ara in dan
ger But, this will not prevent our yielding
cordial acquiescence in, and support OF, al
measures calculated, in our opinion, to promote
the honor and the best interests OF the country
We have been thus frank with the Phoenix
although the article to which we reply contained
personal illusions such as gentlemen do no
make, and such as would have justified US il
passing it by without notice Worcester Spy.