The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-06-20


We commend it to the attention OF our readers
MR. BENTON.
The position of the great Missourian is one
that cannot fail to excite general admiration. -
Himself a slaveholder-in the midst of a slave
holding community, he has opposed himself to
tbe extension OF slavery with boldness that does
him honor, That movement to which temporary
circumstances have given sectional aspect, by
This and other like demonstrations is urged for
ward within the limits of the slave States. Like
the PRONUNCIATION OF Mr.. Clay's views of emanci
patton, it marks the new that has dawned
within twelvemonth.
1t is scarcely necessary to say that like Mr..
Claws, Mr. Benton's opinions far from coin.
Gliding with our own Interchangeable convictions.
We cannot with him, trust that the slavery ques
tion will settle itself, much less do we admit that
ii is already settled. All the indications respect
ing California are suspicious of lis freedom from
tie curse and guilt of slavery. But so momen-
tous is the issue, that we cannot be content with
ANYTHING less than the distinct ,unequivocal guar
antee Of the government OF the Union, that slav.
cry shall not be permitted to trespass upon the
soil. There is New Mexico, too, concerning
which we have not even the ground OF assurance
which California furnishes. To secure that ter.
ritory for freedom is work that must be done, in
relation to which we can admit of no "mastery
inactivity"
But while we thus differ from the Missouri
Senator, we none the less honor him for the high
stand he has taken. AS in the case OF Mr.. Clay,
we are willing to take his latitude and longitude
into account Mr.. Clay's emancipation scheme.
though far behind the recognized standard of
ethics in the north, and bitterly assailed on that
account, we have always regarded as worthy of
honor for the degree in which IL departs from the
unmitigated welcomes of the pro- slavery stand
ard. So when We see Mr.. Benton, or any other
man, drawing on himself the assaults OF the sla
very perpetUasts and extensionists, we are ready
TO do him justice, and give him credit for all that
he accomplishes towards the triumph of the good
cause. Every step in advance leaves one step
less to be taken, aud while we shall countenance
no retreat from an advanced position, we shall
yet rejoice in every indication of progress in the
slave States. Mr.. Bentons speech is such an
indication; his success in his present struggle
will confirm il; and even If he fails, his words
will not fall TO the ground.
We see that in quarters Mr.. Benton's
name is mentioned for the next Presidency
There is no reason for this, and we cannot be ex-
pected, in the present state of affairs, to enter
upon any such canvass. 1t is folly, at any time,
to think of selecting candidate three wears be-
fore the election, but more particularly in Pc
riod of such rapid changes as we now witness
Besides, Mr. Benton occupies no such position,
with reference TO existing circumstances, as to
make MIN mt candidate Tor the support oil the
Free Democracy. five were Of that class who,
in neighboring States, pathetically pleading
for a Democratic -union,' and who pant al
ter thiz consummation SO fervently as to declare
that the difference between "the two sections
is merely one of reorganization" ~ we might
perhaps up the flag for old Bullion. But as
we are not particularly inclined TO turn aside
from cur work in order to engage in a blind cru
SADIE against s'federai whiggery'' on one side, or
ssradical locofocosm" on the other, we cannot
enlist just now. Our only Toe is slavery. We
know no Organization but that at Buffalo, and
those which have legitimateIy sprung from it,
From the standard there raised we shall never
desert, unless for one planted on still higher
ground, till the work is done for which we are
allied. In this work our leader must occupy no
halfway position. Ii COL Benton, in the course
Of three years, should place himselfin the van,
we can follow him we followed another
Democratic leader, but if he keeps in the rear,
we must perforce leave him behind. AS long as
slavery darkens the land SO long must we con-
tend against it, IN spirit OF loyalty to the
stitution and the union, but OF unyielding hostil
ity to that which is the most dangerous foe to
both.-BOstOn Republican.