Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-03-30


busy as the rest. Still, he reserves to
himself a conscience, and regards as dis
reputable petty lorceners, those who
transfer their luscious booty TO a kettle.
These are the abs,ruser distinctions of
ethics. The Wings saw the Democrats
enjoying the plumber won by base COM
p%liance, but, ceasing gradually TO be
shocked at what they habitually witness
ed, they at last beheld nothing but the
plumber.
SO far, then, from expecting any Anti
Slavery measures from the Wing party,
we shall be surprised if their movement
be not henceforth decidedly retrograde.
They have taken the costly first step
They have already undergone that initial
slump in the mire, after which one is
careless about picking his Steps. The
fact that General Taylor has summoned
to his cabinet as prime minister u gentle
man who, as Senator, has proposed a
compromise on the question of Slavery
in the territories, indicates the future
policy of the administration. 1t remains
TO be seen whether the hope of Govern
ment patronage, and the desire of pre-
serving the integrity Of the party, will
furnish the President with q compliant
House of Representatives.
General Taylor has all along profess
ed his entire unfitness for the office 10
which he has been promoted, and his un-
willingness TO ascend the dangerous ele'
walton of the Presidency. This petty at
fectation of coyness he has kept up even
on his way TO Washington. 1t is like
the noto e~piScopari of a bishop. He
pointed out a log cabin on the banks OF
the Ohio, and informed his admiring
hearers that he would rather occupy thai
mansion than the White House. 1t would
be a matter Of economy in Congress 10
make an appropriation for building him
such a dwelling at Washington. We
confess hat this cant Of the General has
not tended to convince US Of that straight
forward sense and frankness which has
been so literally attributed 10 him. Our
public men are not so shy Of the Prcsi-
dency that it would have been difficult to
find another candidate if the General had
resolutely resisted. He reversed the
lrishman's bull, and, instead of being
forced TO volunteer, volunteered 10 be
forced.
No augury Of the Presidents future
conduct can be drawn from an inspection
of the %entrails of his inaugural discourse.
1t has the merit Of brevity, a questiona-
BILE one, after all, when it is not combined
with fitness of meaning. Major Bliss
can express himself with distinctness,
witness some Of his dispatches 10 the
War Department. The Wings profess
TO see in it u reduction of the golden
age Of the Republic, and cry with one
accord, redeunt Saturnia regina The
General declares that he shall be govern
ed by the Constitution, and, where there
is doubt, that he shall follow the interpret
tation Of the earlier Presidents, particu-
larly Washington. Where these guides
are wanting, he will submit himself 10
the decision of the Supreme Court. I'm
safe pledges these in the matter OF Slave
ry. The question of its extension had
not arisen in Washington's time, and a
majority of the Supreme Judges are slave
holders. AS 10 the Generals own opin-
ions on this subject, we can only judge
them by the fact that he has extended
the institution over something like a hum
dred new victims since he became a can
didate for the Presidency. But we must
wait and see. An Inaugural Address is
no safe criterion. We have no doubt
that the speech of his majesty King Stork
on ascending the throne Of The frogs was
as liberal and as full of respect for The
Constitution as that of his predecessor
King Log. R. L.