The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-08-15
NUMBER 16.

wolves many considerations. If. / am ssked.
what are his personal views on the Subject of
the tariff, the public lands, internal improve
ment &c, answer that it Is enough for nue.
that he leaves all these matters to the legisla-
tive body where in my judsment If belongs
ard is pledged not 10 interfere with the pub
lie will as constitutionally expressed by that.
body. In my opinion all these questions OF
expediency are proper subjects oflegislatve,
and not of executive control: and every at
tempt on the part of the executive TO control
the action of Congress in this respect IS a vlo-
lation of the spirit of the COnstituton.-The
power over these subjects is placed by the
Constitution in that body. There let 1t rest
and not only so-but let that power be ex-
ercised without diciation or interference by an
other department. ! approve Of Gen lay
LoR's sentiments in this particular. and on this
point l ask no further pledge.
Without going more particularly into his
sentiments, may say that know OF no ground
of objection to Gen TAYLOR, likely 10 deter
the Wings of Vermont from his support, I'M
less it be connected with the topic which now
interests the country so deeply; to wit, the
subject of .Sldrery. Were he eiuzen OF
free State, and unconnectcd with that lnstltu-
ton, | have no hesitation IN saying he would
be cordially sustained by the people ct Yer
mont How tar this objection is to 90 is for
them to decide. | may, however, be permit
ted to remind them that IN this particular he
stands in precisely the same position with the
distinguished individual so cordially SUI ported
bv the Wings of Vermont at the last Presiden-
tial election, and who they were SO anxious to
sustain on the present occasion. MIR. CLAY, as
well as Gen. TAYLOR, Is an inhabltant OF u
Slave State and n Stakeholder. If the objec5
ton was not insuperable in one case 1t would
seem not 10 be in the other.
In this matter, also, we have every reason to-
suppose he would defer to the acton OF Con-
gress. The President has no constitutional
control over this subject-and if he leaves 1t
to Congress, so far rs that body has such con-
tro, it is all that we can require.
! After all, lie cannot be placed IN a mere OBJ
jectionable position in this respect than his
competitor, who has virtually pledged himself
against the Wilmot Proviso. We have thero-
fore nothing to gain in Withholding our sup.
port from Gen. TAYLOR, and thus as have
shown, aiding the election of Cas-. We nay
throw away our votes and secure the election
OF Cas-, and thus So far as the Presidential C.
lection can settle this question, settle II II. To-
ror Of the SLdrehOldirG poorer
This subject of Slavery IS two-edged
sword which our adversarics have hitherto
welded with immense advantage TO divide and
distract the Wing party. Fortunately for W,
if We choose TO profit by 1t, the chGLce IS re-
turned 10 their own lips. We may oe satis+
fed if instead Of a President pledged to sns-
tain the Slave power in the territories, we gee
one who will leave the matter TO Congress. To
insist upon more at this moment might anG
probably would jjeoPardize our prospects,
/ Mutual concession IS necessary, and it would
be madness to throw away the advantages III
our power, by demanding too much and secu-.
ring nothing Let us not initiate example o!
;. a party who, by their obstinate and Cnccm-
promising spirit, have thus far not merely la-
boredin vain, but defeated their own purpose
Who would have prevented the annexation
of Texas. ard vet threw their influence IL the
opposite scale; and thus brought about the
very measure, with alIits consequences, which
thcy pretended TO oppose. The political re-
generation of this country requires time. Eve
/ ~ thing cannot be effected at once, and If We
cannot be content to secure these great Objects
one by one, we shall probably not be able to-
secure them ut MI.
Il is well to enquire what would be tie eff
feet Of defeat in the ensuing election upon
this very question Of Slavery in the territories
of the United States. Should our adversarics
succeed, that question viii be settled before an
other Presidential election. When once plant
ed, the institution would be immoyablc. The
formation Of new States might put an end to-
the power Of Congress over the subject.
To throw away our votes, under these cir
cumstances, would be TO pay an empty corhpli-
ment TO principle which we7shorld never lie
able to carry into practical operation. IF de-
feztcd now the Wing party IS probably ami
hilated.-Every thing would be surrendered
to party in which we have no confidence.
The power of that party would be consolida-
ted by success, while our influence over these
great objects Of National interest would be
greatly diminished.-I-et rs then put our
shoulders TO the wheel let US secure the adj
vantages now within our reach-And as for the
rest let 1t be the object Of future effort.
lam, Sir, very respectfully, yours,
SAMUEL S. PHELPS.
Hon. S. FOoT, one Of the State Commit
tee.