New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-10-02
IA and rs.

-Four years ago it was the cherished and over
ruling purpose of large aud estimable portion OF
Tn. American People to prevent the Extension Of
Slavery under the Flag OF our Union. To effect
this end, two opposite courses were severally re
commended The Wings insisted that the only
practical and effective course would be TO stand
with the Wing party. to Undue 1t as strongly as
possible with the Anti-Slavery spirit, and to rely
on the declared views of its candidate aud the
predominant sentiment OF its members To prevent
the contamination of the Texas lniquity. The
Liberty party, on the other hand insisted that
this was all empty aud lying pretence-that the
Wings were no more hostile To Slavery Extension
than their opponents-and that Texas was just AS
likely to be annexed If Clay as If Polk should be
chosen President. More likely said James q.
Birney but W c do not think the mass of his party
was 80 knavish ms that1 Throughout the canvass
the Liberty candidates, journals and canvassers
rang the changes ON the proposterous, the glaring
sbsurdity OF voting for n Stakeholder In order TO
prevent the Extension of Slavery. They repre-
scented Mr. Clay as the great oracle aud embodi-
ment Of the Slave Power and insisted that his
position was equivocsl, his language Jesuitcal,
his intentions clearly hostile and that the only
way TO defeat the Annexation OF Texas was to
vote for James q. Birney as President with the
Liberty candidates for Governor, &c.
We earnestly resisted this train of argument,
believing it unsound. We were denounced as re
creant to Liberty willing tool Of the Slave
Power, &c. &c but all that ma,tered lttle.-
The main feature worth recalling is the event
Sixty odd thousand voters nearly all OF them
really meaning to oppose Slavery Extension, were
induced TO vote for Birney, whereby Clay was de
feated, aud Polk with Congress 10 match was
chosen TO rule the country. And the Liberty
oracles exulted over the fact that many had
withstood all appeals made to them to support the
Wing candidates IN order 10 defeat Annexation
Mr. Polk came to Washington the President
elect aud, by the use OF the enormous patronage
OF the National Executive, together with his own
extraordinary capacity Tor duplci,y and ialsehood
was enabled to force through Congress Joint Re
solutions proposing aud consenting to Annexation
on certain alternative conditions. He carried this
great point by promising certain weak brethren Of
his party that he would adopt the Benton plan, re-
curing preliminary negotiation with Mexico
rather than the other. which committed us to An
nexa,ion abruptly and st all hazards but this Sc
cured, he took care that Tyler should sdopt the
more reckless alternative on the las, day but one
u has Presidential tern, and send oh a messenger
communicating the fact to Texas. 80 we were IN
for Texas, aud for the War, the Debt, the carnage
and The decentralization which have resulted there
from.
Theuiamphoi Annexation TOOK many BY surprise.
and excited profound sensation We will give
asnsle illustration OF the feeling naturally aroused
The news reached thrifty village near the center
OF thus State. where the whole matter had been
very earnestly discussed in the Presidential can
vass, and instantly the bell Was rans and one Of
the ohurChes crowded with an agta;ed assembsge.
A friend who had Tough, the Birney party to the
best OF his ability through the canvass and whom
we Know as sincere and thorough CONTENDER Of
Slavery, rose aud stated tbs, the deed was now
irevocsby done and tina, nothing remained but
tina, the Liberty party should do Justice bv going
out like Judas sad hanging itself This friend il
now very ardent in his advocacy of the Bufr,lo
Movement We are sure he means to be risht
we do not expect him 20 iadse with equal charity
the motives of those Who take q course difFerins
from his
For our own part, We shall con6de. in this new
crisis. in the conscience and heart Of the Wing
party. We believe our party, restored to power
will not commit suicide BY consenting 70 the Ex-
tension Of Slavery. At all eveats. having seen the
Ihird'Party experiment, once tried with the most
dep'oraole results, we want 10 see one fair trial
o. the opposite policy. The result OF a Third.
Party distraction and defes, of the whiss is on
record that Of a triumph OF TIE whis party over
socs distraction is abort &c be rrisa snd We are