Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-06-21
MONTPELIER, THURSDAY, JUNE 21, Is49.

lS47-four days after his fre-brand resolu-
tons were introduced. He said he did not
write it. know he did not. Neither did
he write the papers of the A. B. plot against
Mr.. Crawford, nor the resolutions of the
last Missouri General Assembly. He is no
such bungler as that. When paw is togo
into the fire, he prefers that of any cat, or
dog, to his own. But he was Secretary of
State under Tyler at the time, and had do
minion over three hundred newspapers, to
each of which the same instructions were
issued. They were intended for their gui-
dance in the Presidential election, and in
the state elections of 1874 and especially
for my own, which was coming on. | only
read the extract which is special to myself
How well the instructions were obeyed was
seen in this state, and in other states, and
in all the presses and politicians that follow
ed the lead of "our leading friend at the
south" -Whigs-Texas-
harp upon these strings, and harp they did,
until the strings were worn out; and then
the harps were hung upon the willows
i. Now new set of strings are furnished, and
) from the same leading friend at the SOUTH"
and the music recommences to the old tune
set to new words" Benton-W higs-Ab-
olitionism--Wllmot Proviso"-are now the
strings, and harp away again the word and
= harp away they will the old performers and
, some new ones, until the dropping willows
: shall again claim the appendage of their
tuneless instruments.
Mr.. Benton says he does not suppose that
the members of the Missouri Legislature
, who voted for these resolutions of instruc-
t tons knew Of their identity with Mr.. Cal
houn's, nor did he believe that they embod-
led the real sense of the Assembly or the
5 people of Missouri. They were entirely at
variance with the resolutions adopted by the
Legislature upon the same suject at the pre-
, vous session.
One makes the peace, perrnanence and
welfare of our National Union depend up.
on strict adherence to the spirit and terms
of the Missouri Compromise in its applica-
| ton to new territory-that is to say, upon
= the constitutional right, and equitable exer-
: else of that right, to legisate upon slavery
in the new territory, and to admit in part,
& and prevent it in part; the other makes the
= dissolution of the Union dependent upon
{ the same platform of fact and principle
: denying the right of Congress to admit or
e prohibit slavery in misunderstanding its
e prohibition to be a violation of the Consti-
a tuition of the United States-an insult to
f the sovereignty of the States-and tending
a to the dissolution of the Union.
S Yes, citizens! Congress has the power to
leglslate upon slavery in Territories, and to
: admit or prohibit its existence, in fact to
r compromise it. She has the constitutional
power, but can never hereafter exercise il.
t The new dogma of no power in Congress
r to. legislate on the subject, has killed all
f compromise. Those who deny the power
S cannot vote for it it would be a breach of
: their oath; those who want no slavery in
: the new Territories will not vote for COM
: promise, and thus extremes meet-combine
: against the middle-and defeat all COM
. promise. The resolutions of Mr.. Calhoun
S have done this; and to talk about comprom-
Use now, is TO propose to call Methuselah
. from his tomb. The effect, if not the de-
S sign, of his new dogma, was to kill COM
c promise; and dead it is. The constitution
y will not permit him and his followers to
e vote for any compromise line; opposition
r to the extension of slavery will not permit
e northern men to do it and thus there is no
n chance for any line. Principle cannot be
i compromised. The Missouri compromise
= was not of principle, but of interests af-
e ter the principle was established The first
: question put by Mr.. Monroe to his Cabinet
n was as to the constitutional power of Con-
l. gress over the subject. That being estab-
d lished in the affirmative, the application of
e the principle was matter of detail and of
IS expediency
c MIR. Benton next proceeds to show that
If Mr.. Calhoun supported the abolition of
ell ,ha e
= sion of lS44-5, two resolutions were adop-
II ted for the admission of the state of Texas,
| one, single and absolute, with the Missouri
5, compromise in it the other authorizing ne
gotlatons with Texas for her admission on
" an equal footing with the original states
J. AS Secretary ofState, and virtual President,
II Mr.. Calhoun selected the absolute resolu-
y tion-thus applying the Missouri comprom-
IS Use to the state of Texas, and of course a.
9, 6ohShing Slacery in a part Of Texas. Be-
e fore that act, slavery existed in the whole OF
n Texas. After it, it was prohibited in all
i her territory above 36 degrees 30 minutes
ID and the adoption of this act was entirely
at Mr.. Calhoun's work. He thus went far be-
lie yond the Barnburners, who only seek 20
l. exclude slavery from the territories he a.
al polished it in state The fact that he Sc
" lected the resolution which abolished slave
re ry in part of Texas, proved also that Mr.
10 Calhoun then had no constitutional scru-
Is plies about the constitutionality of such an
a. act. Mr.. Benton insists that it is absurd to
D. deny to Congress the power to legislate as
II pleases upon the subject of slavery in ter.
a. ritories 1t has exercised the power, and
S. with the sanction of authorities, State and
r. Federal, from the foundation to the present
n time, and never had it questioned, until Mr.
" Calhoun put forth those unfortunate reso
IS lutions, from which he had to back out un
IS der his own Notifying contradictions II
III is absurd to claim it for the territories
sc They have no form of government but thai
IN which Congress gives them, and no legisa
I'd tive power but that which Congress allow:
r them. Congress governs the territory as il
I'd Pleases, and in way incompatible with tn,
r. constitution and of this any state that ha:
in been territory is complete example, ano
nc our own as much as any.
by Congress has the power to prohibit or ad
DO nit slavery, and no one else. 1t is not il