The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-04-23
Mr.. Webster Wilmot Proviso.

A vigorous and systematic attempt is on
foot to make the people think that Mr.. Web
ster has abandoned the Jeflersonian or Will
mot Proviso. This is all 4 mistake. He
has for years been an advocate of the utility
of this principle. Two years ago he affirm
cd it in the most direct and positive manner.
In his late speech in the Senate he referred
TO that speech and the sentiment then eN-
pressed, and quoted part Of it il his re-
Ks, 81, ING in the most direct positive,
and uncquivocaI terms, that he still held to
the same sentiment, and should till the day
of his death
Mr.. Wcbs;er's position is This. WHEREBY
or it is necessary to apply the proriso to
keep free territory free, or to prevent new
territory becoming slave territory, he is for
applying it.. Where, from the soil, climate,
productions, feelings Of The people, &c, it is
perfectly evident that slavery cannot exist,
where its insertion is only the declaration OF
a naked sentiment, and where that insertion
and sentiment are olious and obnoxious TO
the peace and good fellowship of the dillur-
cnt portions Of the land in such case he
is not for applying it. lie is clear N the o.
pinion that slavery did not exist in the terri.
tory acquired of Mexico, at the time Of lis
ces,ion to us that from the peculiar nature
OF the soil and productions OF New Mexico
&c, slavery cannot exist there proftably
and that il is not Mt all necessary to insert
the proyiso in the bill, because God has al
ready put a proviso upon the country wortl
more than any that Congress can pass. lie
does not feel called upon " to re-enact an or
dinancc of Providence" Knowing that sa
very can never be introduced there, he feel;
that the great end Is accomplished. Ii these
provisos are odious to some portions of oui
people, he will not insist on their insertion
The principie of the non extension of slave
~ is preserved Just as well as if il were lr'
serted. 1t is not for mere barren naked
idea it is advisable 10 struggle, but for prdc'
| teal results. When these results are secured
as they evidently are by the nature Of the
territory and the great aversion OF the people
there to slavery, it is hardly worth while &c
quarrel and spend time about the principle
1t is time enough to apply that when case
arises that will be affected by it.
In view of all these reasons, which MIR
Webster presented in his speech, he came
to the conclusion that it was folly to insist OF
the proviso, so far as New Mexico and Des
eret are concerned. He said he was opposed
to putting the provise in bill to regulat,
these territories, but he said so on the ground
and for the reasons heretofore stated, lie
did not and has not surrendered the primer
pie. He expressly recognized it in his
speech, and reiterated his devotion to ii. lie
took back nothing he had heretofore said a
bout it.
Such, then. is Mr.. Webster's position
Every man of ordinary intelligence and ca
pacity can understand it. He does not speak
so darkly and doubHully as to leave the minC
in the fog as TO his meaning. How, then
are the men sustained who charge him will
abandoning the provso, ard falling on tt
tho Cass platform Is there any truth in II
Is il fair or honest to set up any such pre-
! tence We say nol.-Ohio State journal