The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-12-12
THE TEST OF LOYALTY TO THE ADMINISTRA-
TI0N.


efforts have been made and are now making
to show that Mr. Fillmore and his Administra-
ton are in favor PR Sc of this Fugitive Slave
law, and opposed TO the principles of the Ordi.
nance of 1857. The Fagaire Slate Ian, as nom
aands is r0aklZ ofensire 10 our peop'e, anil get
1fplrS rrieh claim 10 be IN the c6nhdsace or The Al
rainistratioa san that the Fugitive aue Ian is an
Administration MEASURE, and those mho oppose u, and
sp77t% -, t. SgrSsc 9Hd speak aga6.7 u, :, 9-
iSiyQtioa You cannot be an Administration man. or
Wig eren unless you acquiesce IN The late
0fa Locofoco Congress, neIudiag rhs Fhgdire Sldre
hW IT is THIS DOCTRINE THAT HAS LOST MAssA-
cHUsRTrs. And if it is PERSISTED in, We sink our
party still further in defeat Suppose We should
go into the next canvass with our banners in
scribed with mottos like this:
aWHIG DOCTRINES
THE FUGIrvE SLAVE Law:
1T MUST BE MAINTAINED!
Down wIrHTmE WILMoT PRovIso!
No TRIAL BY JUaY FOR NEGROES.
Conquer your Preudiees.
Texas AND TEN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
Free Sell and Disution are the Same ~
Where, we ask would we come out at Could
we carry a school district in the State? And
yet, we ask candid men if the above are not the
issues which the writers in the DAILY ddoertiSer,
Comier, o,,d journal, (E IN Brme ? now advocate,
and call them Wing Administration measures.
We deny that they ever were Wing measures
we deny tat thsy are Administration MEASURES, and
we deny, in particular, that they can ever be
forced upon the Wing party Of the North as their
measures"
The Atlas has learned ere this its mistake.
The language of the President, endorsing these
measures, as final settlement of the Slavery
question, is emphatic He says:
"The series of measures to which have alluded
are regarded by me as a settlement, in principle
and substance final settlement of the danger
Gus and exciting subjects which they embraced.
Most of these subjects, indeed, are beyond your
] reach, as the legislation which disposed of them
was, in its character, final and rrevocahle. 1t
msy be presumed, from the opposition which they
all encountered that none of those measures was
free from imperfections, but in their mutual de-
pendence and connection they formed system of
compromise, the most conciliatory, and best for
the entire country that could be obtained from
conflicting sectional interests and opinions.
" For this reason recommend your adherence
to the adjustment established by those measures,
until time and experience shall demonstrate the
necessity Of further legislation to guard against
evasion or abuse.
By that adjustment we have been rescued from
the wide and boundless agitation that surrou nded
us, and have firm, distinct, and legal ground to
rest upon And the occasion, | trust, will justify
me in eXhorting my oountrymen to rally upon
and maintain that ground as the best, If not the
only, means Of restoring peace and quiet to the
country, and maintaining nviolate the integrity
Of the Union
! The Rppblr, his special organ, follows up these
declarations with the further announcement, that
appreciation and maintenance Of these measures
are to be regarded as test of loyalty to the Ad-
ministration the Wing who will not support
them, Mr.. Fillmore will regard and treat rs an
enemy In an editorial of December 9th that
paper attributes Mr. Scudder's defeat, in the 10th
district of Massachusetts,, to his reputation Of
Non-Intervention and the Fugitive Law, and it
then proceeds to lay down the new Wing plat
| form, as follows:
alt was well understood by the Wings of Mr.
Scudder's district, that the Administration was
pledged, by every implication, to TIN support In
good faith of the adjustment to which Mr. Scud-
der had thus declared his opposition. Ii is well
understood from the formation Of Mr. Fimore's
Cabinet from his selection of Mr.. Webster as
the Secretary of State, and from the we'll known
cordaity existing between himself and MIR Clay,
that no Wing could indicate a disposition to
open the agitation controversy Of the last session,
and claim to be considered as supporter of the
Administration. To agitate the abolition Of sla-
very in the District Of Columbia, TO seek the re-
peal Of law which was merely the reenacment
of n constitutional provision, with the pledge or
pursuing these objects at all times and under all
circumstances, was in effect to assume hostile
attitude towards the Administration Of which Mr..
Scudder professed TO be supporter. How then
could he expect to rally the friends Of the Admin
istratiou in his behsf1 Was it not n mockery
to claim to be friend of the Administration,
while he was opposed to the policy which it
deemed essential to the peace and welfare of the
countryl
"The recent official exposition OF President
! Filmore's views, and the entire unanmty Of the
Wing press in its support, indicate, with suii-
cient distinciness, the line which separates the
friends Of the Administration from its enemies.
For the future, ut all events, we imagine that no
one will venture to proclaim himself supporter,
in good fifth, Of that Administration, while he
arrays himself in opposition to the policy upon
which it has staked its fortunes.
awe see IL stated in some Of the papers that
! the custom. house officers in Mr., Scuddcrs dis
trict have been actively electioncering In his be-
hslf We do not know that there lie any truth In
| this charge. II Is the received Wing doctrine,
| that cIstom-house officers should be content win
the exercise Of the elective franchise, without
busying themselves too much In politic' affairs
We have no reason to believe that the present
Administration cntertsins any other than Wing
doctrines upon this or any other subject. Without
medding with the exercise Of private judgment,
every Government is entitled to expect from its
appontees decorous regard to those measures
ana that policy by which il seeks TO commend it.
self to the people. We have never doubted that
il was alike the right and the duty Of Government
to sustain itself by its friends rather than its enc
mics, for it is obvious enough that no Government
can command the respect Of the people which can
not command the respect Of its official incum-
| bents
off Mr.. Scudder should be elected to Congress,
he will come to Washington professed political
agitator Of the negro question. Such man Is
neither Whig, nor q friend Of President Fill
more lie could do no good here for his constit-
uens or the conutry-snd We sincerity hope that
he may be permitted 10 remsin in the 10Th dis
trict, and soacc his disappointed ambition by such
local honors as 1t may he in the power Of his New
Bedford correspondents to confer upon him"
This is carrying II with high hand. James
X. Polk never plsysd the part OF Dictator to his