Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-05-23
WHAT HAVE TEE WHIG6
DONE EOR EREESOILISM =?

Daniel Webster, in his late speech, as the
Northern wings have always done, makcsa great
merit of the alleged fact that his party opposed
the admission of Texas, the direct cause, rs they
all contend, of the present controversy about the
extension Of slavery. However we may view
the latter proposition, the justice and truth otthe
former, is by nc means so apparent. The North
ern wing members in Congress might indeed,
have been generally opposed to the admission Of
Texas; but were not the Southern wing mem
bers as generally in favor Of the measure? II
that is found to be SO, the claim that the wings,
as a party, were opposed to the measure, IS
without warrant. But provided they could
make good their claim, how much praise are
they entitled to, on the ground they now put
for their opposition? They did no oppose the
admission of Texas on the ground that it would
lead to the extension ofsavery. That was an
idea that never occurred to them till near the
close of the Mexican war, when the acquisition
of new territory, suitable for slaveholding occu
patton, began to be talked up. Then was that
Northern wings began to see the peculiar merit
of their opposition to the admission Of Texas
Then, it was, they began to see what they never
saw before-hat the true motive for resisting
the measure, must have BEEN after all, their fears
that it would lead to the extension of slavery
They supposed, at the time, they were opposing,
the measure, because it was favoritc one Of
their opponents, whom they wished to break
down, and the only question to be settled now,
is, whether the reason for their opposition which
they then thought Of, or the one that occurred to
them several years after, is the true one Yes
they opposed the measure as they opposed every
other measure of the democrats, and with the
same motige, though less decidedly as party,
than any other leading measure of the Polk ad-
ministration; and we appeal to the records of
the times for the truth ofthe assertion Where.
then, we repeat, is the justice of the claim which
they are forever dnging in our ears ? And yet,
is it not as good as theirclai to be the true free
soil party?
"What have the wings DONE" asks an intclli-
gent correspondent, whose question has suggest
ed these reflections -"what have the wings done,
either in or out of Congress, to generate correct
free soil sentiment among the people, and such
as shall prepare them to bostow their sufrares
in manner Ofording any guarantee for the adj
vancelneRt of the great principles for which we
are contending;" True, what have they done?
They have, it is true, occasionally passed in the
Legislatures, where they had the performance,
some pretty smart proviso resolutions but when
these resolutions came upin Congrers, their del
egates, as in case the Vermont resolutions last
winter, they have completely nulfed their ol-
feet, by rdculing them, andassuring their South
err brethren were harmless, and only got
up for political effect in the home elections -
And 90 with all their action in favor of the free
soil principle, In words, it is true, they are gen
orally very good free soilers; but when they
come to vote, they are sure, as in their support
of Gen. Taylor, to throw their SURFACES in a way
which either directly, or indirectly, is made to
build up, and sustain the slave power.