Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1848-07-14

leading Northern federal paper we might
choose to pick up, as we'll as from the speech
es and letters of leading Northern federal poll
ticians; but as we have extended this article
already beyond what we intended, we will
close it by quoting from the address OF the
Wing State Central Committee OF the great
State of Ohio, addressed TO the wings OF that
State, in which the reader will see that the
claims of Gen. Taylor are there urged on tie
ground that he is "Wimot Proviso" man.
We beg the people of North Carolina to mark
we'll the passages which we quote below
They are significant and ought to arouse ev"
cry Southern man to sense of his duty. We
quote that portion of the address which relates
TO the question of slavery:
alt has long been a cardinal principle of
the Wings of Ohio, TO oppose the extension
of Slavery over territory now free. AS this
subject appeals to our moral and political feel
ings, as we'll as TO Our political rights, it rises
above all ordinary political questions 1t 'sd-
mits of no compromise, for in and OF itself,
the extension OF slavery is politically and NOR
ally wrong. In those States where slavery
now exists, it is moral and political evil, in
which, as good citizens, having respect for
the Constitution, and the hts OF our breth-
rem, we are bound TO acquiesce. And we
most freely admit, that the inhabitants OF the
free States have no right to deprive the slave
holder, against his will, of the possession and
ownership of his slaves. But we are under
no obligation, religious, moral, or political, to
90 one step further. On the contrary, 1t Is
not only our right, but solemn and impera-
tive duty, to make no further concession, and
here to take our stand; and whatever infuen-
ces may be used to divert us from this our
purpose, firmly, steadily, actively, and uncom-
promisngly, 10 oppose the extension OF this
great national leprosy, over one foot more OF
American SOIL Whatever consequences may
follow. social or political, they are but dust in
the balance, when compared to the yielding
up, in the least degree. of this great principle
at would doubtless have been more con-
sonant to the feelings of the Wings of Ohio,
had candidate been selected, whose residence
and associations would have naturally inclln-
ed him to agree with us fully on this subject.
His residence, and associations, however, have
, not blinded Gen. Taylor to the evils of the
institution of slavery, and the moral depravi-
ty of its extension. On the subject of slavery
. extension, the views of Gen. Taylor are free
5 ly expressed in his approval of the sentiments
contained in the following extract of an edto-
rial article, published in the Cincinnati Sig
nal of April 1847, and sent by the editor to
Gen. Taylor:
"'The only path Of safety for those who
may hereafter fill the Presidential Office, Is to
j., rest in the dischare of Executive functions
and let the Legislative will of the people find
utterance and enactment The American peo-
. pie are about to assume the responsibility oil
framing the institutions of the Pacific States
] We have no fears for the issue, if the arena
of high debate, is the assemblies of the peo-
: pie and their Representative Halls. The er-
: tension OUer the continent beyond the Rio
D., Gr0nde Of the Ordinance of 1887, IS an object
too high and permanent to be bGt7ed by Presi'
Dental Uetoes.'
: "To the article from which the above ex.
tract is made, Gen. Taylor responded, in a let
t ter of date May Is, 1S47, acknowledging his
high opinion and decided approval of the
views and sentiments.
"Here, it will be noticed, that Gen. Taylor
decidedly approves, of giving TO the will and
: acts of Congress force and effect unrestric-
ted by kingly Uetoes, and that no Executive
n veto should prevent the extension Of the ord1.
nance of 1887 ouer neuly acquired Mertcan
territory
: "This subject, like that of the tariff, the cur
:, rency, and the like, is entirely within the con.
troll of Congress. until new States shall be
formed and their first Constitutions approved
= When freedom is thus established, our laws
= and Constitution confer no power TO introduce
slavery afterwards Even if this were not the
- case, after that period there can be no danger
States have liberated their slaves, but no State
). has ever attempted to change its Constitution
r. SO as TO authorize slavery where it did not be
q fore exist. Such step would exhibit de
r gree of depravty of which the history of nc
,. enlightened nation can furnish PARALLEL
/. We therefore most earnestly recommend tc
t. the Wings OF Ohio to watch with a jealou:
e care the selection of candidates for CONGRESS
IF If we, and those in other States who agree
s. with us, adopt it as an invariabIe rule, tina
l. we will support no man for Congress who il
8. not opposed to the extension of slavery undo
o any circumstances, we need entertain no ap
10 prehension on this subject
u Now we ask what the federal papers of N
D Carolina have to say to these sentiments O
j. their brethren of Ohio. Do the Wings O
Z North Carolina regard Gen. Taylor as oppo
4 sed to the extension of slavery into the terrific
r. ries of the Union? We ask our wing friends i
y they can support man who is opposed to then
y on this vital question? We will recur 10 thi
d subject again.
GrN RrrJrD Nr11y ro