Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-01-31
tuatfh,uan & State 1onrnal.
E.P.WALTON, JR., EDITOR.
Thursday, Jan. 81. 1850.
The President on the Slavery
Question.

QucSGIOus
In reply to resolution of the House OF Rep
resentaiyes, the President has sent in a message
and accompanying documents, detailing fully all
that has been done in reference to California
We omit the documents, the story is quite as
plainly and more briefly told by the President,
in his message of the 2lst Upon that we have
few words. The extremes on the Slavery ques-
ton have united in complaining of the admins
tration: the Savocrats charging that Mr.. King
was despatched to make California free Slate
the Free Sellers charging that he was sent to
make California Stare Stale. Both are now
proved to be altogether mistaken. The people
OF California were advised to institute govern
ment for themselves, but in every step they were
left TO their own free will, it was fit that they
should be- The result is free Constitution, and
with the assent of Congress, free State, which,
in conjunction with the free State of Oregon
that is to be- will control the Pacific half Of this
vast nation. The Administration advises Con
gress to sanction this free Constitution and ad
init this free state of California. New Mexico
is not in so fortunate condition. The people
are not yet prepared for admission, and withal
Texas claims the most populous part of the ter
ritory and denies the right cf the people there
to unite with the rest OF New Mexico for this
purpose. What shall be done? The President
admits the power OF Congress to interfere by es
tablishing territorial government, bit he judg
es it unwiee and unnecessary to do so unwlse,
because it would involve Congress with all the
difficulties of the Texan claim and the Slavery
question; and unnecessary, because the people
are row well protected by municipal laws Of
their own TO which they are accustomed and by
all needful military offences furnished by the
United States. Wait, then-says the Presi
dent; provide for Judicial decision of the claim
of Texas, and then wal, until the people of New
Mexico have settled tier own chosen form of
government then admit them. In short, as
California has settled the Slavery question for
herself, so wond he have New Mexico do.
-Four things in the message arc important:
|. An admission of the power of Congress
over The Territories the power either to permit
or prohibit Slavery. The "Wilmot Proyiso'
then would not be deemed unconstitutional by
the President.
2 The assertion that he municipal laws Of
Mexico in force at the time Of annexation are
still the laws of this territory. and will be until
superseded by Congress or by a new govern
ment formed by the people. Slavery then is
nor prohibited in these territories, such being
the Mexican law.
3. No coun'enance is given to the Texan /
claim, nor to any action upon it other than ju- |
dicial decision. The administration then, viii |
no, voluntarily be made party in any way to
this grand strike for Sllve territory.
T. The Difference shown 10 The viii Of the
people in the territories, and the firm determine
ton to nreser,e the Union If they settle this
q les,ion for themselves, nobody has a right 10
COMPLIMENTARY can dissolve the Union: and I
if Congress should, IN the exercise of the power
undertake to settle il for them-un-
wise and unnecessary as the Presiden, thinks il
it is quite clear that he don't mean even in
that case to countenance disunon Tor a moment
The avowed purpose of the President is to
quiet the excitement prevailing on lhs question,
and 30 to settle it as TO preserve the public peace
ani perpetuate the Un.on Therefore he advis-
es Congress t, wait and permit the people OF
the territories to take their own course, and 70
acouiesce in their decision. His course is con
ciliatory and advisory. Such is the position Of
a Southern man and a slave holder. Clearly it
is patiotic and prudent.
Turn now to the Northern man who was the
candidate against Gen. Tay lor. When the Pres
idenl's message was read to the House, Gen
Cass was delivering has TO the Senate. He de-
mes the power of Congress over slavery in the
territories: he will therefore vote against the
Wilmot proviso, and were he President he would
Ttfo it. fIe would force Congress TO leave this
matter to the people fihe terri cries and what
is worse than that he would force the country
to acquesce in their decision, right or wrong.
Taylor comedies the power of Congress: if the
territories do mol satisfactorily settle the ques
ton in their constitutions, Congress can do it
for them. Cass denies the power of Congress:
if the territories do not settle the question right,
there is no remedy. The difference is wide
the Louisianlan is better free-soiler than the
Michgander.
Windsor County agriculture. We select from
the premium crops the following: Potatoes =
Consider Alexander I'd, Hartland 1863 81 BUSH
els per acre; John l.. Loverin, Hartford, 20S
L,lc N.l-a,