Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1849-04-13
THE SENTIMENT OF THE DEMOCRA
CY OF WISCONSIN.


The recent action Of the Wisconsin Legislature,
with reference to the course of Isaac p Walker on
the matter of slavery in the new territories furnish
cs to us certain evidence that there is very little
division among the democracy of Wisconsin OH that
question. The resolutions, it will be recollected,
passed the Assembly with but nine dissenting vol
ces, and the amendments of the Senate which qua
lifted, if they did not entirely destroy their force,
were rejected with but one dissenting voice. True,
may be urged, that the action of the Senate, fur
nshes evidence of contrary character; but it will
be recoected that the House resolutions finally
passed the Senate, by vote of ten to six, and of
the six, we know that at least three Of them were
with MS in sentiment. Messrs. Kinney and Smith
of Milwaukee, and Williams of Jefferson, did no.
dissent from the sentiment of the resolutions. They
claimed only that they had not sufficient evidence
upon which to act. They had supported, voted for,
and assisted in the success of Mr. Walker: the re-
putaton of the state was to some extent involved
in his reputation, and although they believed he de-
served censure, yet they desired to give him an OPP
portunity to be heard in his defence: they were
willing to hear what excuse he had to offer, and
were then ready to pass sentence This, five mis-
take not the position of three of the Senators
who voted in the negative on the final passage of
the resolutions. The other three, Messrs Cothren,
Horn, and Fisher, were. we believe, adhercnts to
the doctrine of the Nicholson letter, and voted ac-
cordingy; so that in reality there were but three
voices in the Senate i'll opposition to the sentiment
of the resolutions, We believe this was a time
when the sincerity of men could be fairly tested
and under the circumstances we feel warranted in
expressing the opinion that there is very little dtfe-
renee of sentiment among the democracy of the
State this subject In connection with this we
believe that the great body of what is known the
Cass democracy, are ready and willing to unite with
us on this question They doubtless have their pride
OF party and position prevent them yielding very
readily their party organization to enter ours but
they are willing to meet in friendly spirit, so
far that is concerned, and stand with us in sus-
tanning the principle.
We publish in another column, the proceedings
of a meeting of the free soil and democratic men,
bers of the Legislature, before the adjournment of
the session, i'll which, it will be seen, the Madison
platform, previously laid down by the free soil par
ty, was endorsed in all its essential features, and
resolution passed recommending disbandng of
old party organizations, and union upon new
footing. We hope such an union may be effected.
for we feel confident there is general desire and
determination on the part of the democracy of the
State to uphold the principles Of the Buffalo resol-
tons on the subject Of slavery; and whilst we can
have union on that point, which is highly desirable,
we can also have concentrated action on other pro-
gressve measures belonging to the democracy,
which is equally desirable.