Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1850-10-14
Mr.. Phillips Letter to the Free soil Com

DEAR SIR Il desire you in my behalf to inform
the Convention, that | respectfully decline to be
again candidate at the State Election. In deciding
! upon this course, am influenced exclusively by pr-
vate considerations, which, under existing circum-
stances, have felt myself at liberty TO regard.
My interest in the cause of the Free Soil Party
Is undated. joined the party when it was formed
because, at that time, regarded il as the only or
/ ganlzatlon which would enable citizens DESTROYS Of
acting upon Republican and Christian principles, to
discharge their whole duty to God and their country
was prepared to JON it the Wing party
had decided at Springfield, that opposition to the
extension of slavery should be ground of poit-
cal action; and resolved to Join it at the instant it
was announced that the design contemplated, but
not avowed, at Springfield, had been consummated
at PHILADELPHIA
The course of the Free Soil party has been direct
and onward Its purpose cannot be mistaken, and
Is sure to be accomplished The principles promul-
gated In the Buffalo Platform are the only principles
10 be acted upon by party that would be faithful to
the rights OF the Free States, and the permanent in
terests of the Union. Those principles have been
carried into effect in the Constitution of California
and that Constitution, adopted, it was without aid
encouragement from either the Wing Democratic
party, Is the first proof of what may be expected from
the people, whenever they shall thus determine 10
act for themselves-Boh parties have therefore been
compelled to submit to what neither would propose !;
and the result proves that is not in, but of Con-
g5ess, that such work should be undertaken, and
that the Free Soil party must delay it final triumph
until both the parties, which combined to oppose
1t shall be simultaneously oyerthrown.
10 effect such an overthrow, nothing was wanting
but the stimulus which has been supplied by the re-
cent proceedings In Congress. The surrender of
free territory and the corrupt grant to Texas of ten
millions OF dolars-the refusal to incorporate the
Wllmot Proyso in the territorial governments ofUtah
| and New Mexico, and, above all, the infamous law
Tor the recovery of ugitives from slavery have pre-
sented an issue to the People of the Free States,
'0hicb must at once be met. There no longer be
any concealment or equiyocation. Upon this ISSUE
the leaders OF the Wing and Democratic parties have
acted IN concert and acted openly. HENRY CLAY
and LEWIS CAss,-DAN1EL WEBSTER and DAN
TEL 5. DIcKINsoN-severally performing the parts
assigned to them by Mr.. Fooe, have mutually pIedg
ed their influence and their supporters TO all these
] measures
! 1t remains to be seen how far, and by what means
the pledge IS TO be redeemed. The appointment of
Mr. Webster to the Cabinet, and the official appro-
val by President Fillmore of each Of the acts refer
red to, sufficiently indicate the policy of the admin
istration. There is ample evidence elsewhere, and
there is enough In Massachusetts warrant the con-
cuslon that while portion of the Wing party NAV
hesitate, and may be at least temporarily affected by
conscientious scuples and regard for consistency
the mass will be ready 10 share with their leaders
the VICTORIOUS destiny which awaits them. There are
probably none who doubt that the course of Mr. eb-
ser has been instlncvely and unqualified dsapprov-
ed by great majority Of the men of principle and
character in the Wing party of Massachusetts; and
yet so absolute Is his power over his retainers so
great the fear ofcpposing him, and strong the hope
OF gaining advantages from the administration with
which he is identified that it more can be expected
that our Wing fellow citizens as a body should pur-
/ sue any other conrse than such as he shall dictate
! and such as will continue 10 make the Wing organ
lzaonin Massachusetts and what il has too long been
/ an instrument for promoting the objects of his am
bitlon. Had Mr. WEBSTER remained as faithful
as Mr.. SEWARD to his own professions, and the
| known sentiments of his constituents-had he re-
manned where he stood when the question of the an
nexanon OF Texas was brought before the country,
there would have been no to regret, and there
might have been noble occasion to Witness the ex-
tent OF his influence. As it is, whatever influence
he can retain when his principles have been ahan-
doned will only to make the relations between
himself and his supporters alike discredabIe to both
Little as can be expected from the Wing Party
IN view OF the personal influences and political OBJ
Jects which control it, no ground of hope that
the National Democratic party, constituted
Will do anything more for the cause of freedom Its
leaders exhibit quite decided, and more effective
hostility to all our 1t is true that in Mas
sachusetts disposition has been manifested to con-
Cul III the support OF free oon candidates.; and up
on questions of State policy 1t gratifying per-
ceVe That there l. bet Heen US agreement of opin-
n,whlch will naturally result in union of action
The views and purposes of the Free Soil party are
essentially democratic. None may with greater pro-
prlety seek admission into our ranks, than such as
have been, and still are sincere and honest demo-
) Gratis A large portion of our members are demo-
Gratis OF this description. The success of the Free
Soil party does not involve the abandonment of any
democratic principles or the attainment of a result
which Is not what genuine democrats ought to desire
The time must come when no pro-savery orgeniza-
ton will choose to assume the democratic name and
when the name may be recognized an appropriate
designation of the advocates of Free Soil But for
the present, do not that can have anything
to do with the mls-called Democratic party, under
It's national organization. We certainly can have
nothing to do with such a candidate for the Presiden-
cy as General CAss. There are Wings who NAV
and probably will support him, Ultra Wings, though
they have been; and, in some respects they can dc
SO consistently. But to defeat him. and the Demo-
1 cratic party, if ralying under him, is an object
winch, Tor the honor and success of the Free Soil
cause 1t will be quite as important to effect in 1852
as it proved to be in l84s. The National Democrat
cy must be e-organized before it can be sustained
When 1t IS recognized upon the broadest basis Of
devotion to human freedom then-and not till then
let it triumph by our aid.
Our course should continue to be direct and on
ward. All we need for our encouragement is the
conviction that cannot labor in vain This con
viction is inspired by Christian faith, and il
Is confirmed by our own and by all human experience
What third party can accomplish when contend
ing Tor principle against two other parties which are
conendng for power, we already realize in results
which have been attained. We are enoaped in n