The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-07-11

ty, the party Of progress and reform-the party
which can sympsthile for the wrongs Of suffering
ireland, which can denounce the cruelties OF
Austrian oppression, which congratulates revolu-
tionary Europe Ia every effort to throw on the
yoke Of bondage--the party which has aimed 10
give the fullest extent of freedom to msn-has
been made or sought 10 be made, the instrument
for converting the free territory we have &C
quired, and which should be consecrated TO free
labor, into the abode Of slavery. Whether the
secret negotiations to which have referred, and
TO which publicity bad not been given, had any
inience upon the Baltimore Convention OF 1914,
| am unable to say but when the new Admins.
trstion asked from Congress an appropriation OF
two millions for the purpose Of acquiring terrific.
ry, and the condition was proposed that 1t should
not be changed from q land Of freedom to land
of slaves, it was coldly received, and the Union
newspaper, the organ here, was made TO say, 1t
Is no recommendation, as friend Of the Admin
isration, to be the friend of the Wiimot Proviso"
This significant hint was soon understood by the
swsrms of men who<ive by official patronage, and
by q press which was largely dependent upon
Government favor for support
Mr.. Chairman, it is very well known, that to
all the leading measures Of the last Admnistra-
ton, gave a cordial and hearty support. Its lib
eral system of finance, which removed, in great
degree, the restrictions upon commerce-its adj
mirable system for the collection aud safe keeping
Of the public revenues-its warehouse system,
and the able manner in which the war with Mex
leo was conducted-were measures which receiv-
ed the approval Of my Judgment, as they were
.... p OF the country !;
but think | do it no injustice when say, that
its whole power and patronage were employed to
prevent the application of the Ordinance of JEFF
ferson to the Oregon and Mexican Territories,
and that it's official influence was eIcrted to crush
some Of the purest and best Democrats in the
land, simply because they were the advocates Of
the cause of Freedom. As the National Conven-
ton for 1s4s approached, a new test was sought
to be interpolated into the Democratic creed. On
the 10th Of December, ls47, the Legislature of
Alabama, being about to elect q United States
Senator, addressed number of interrogatories to
Mr.. King and Nj. Dixon H. Lewis who were
candidates for the place, among which was one
asking them If they would support the nominee
OF the Baltimore Convention for the Office Of Pres
ident To this interrogatory Mr.. King replied:
81 viii pledge myself to sustain the Democratic
nominees Of q National Convention for President
and Vice President prorided they are opposed 10 The
Wilmot Propiso, or any interference by the Gen.
eral Government with the Question of Slavery as
It exists in the Southern States"
Mr.. Lewis replied
Without especial preference for any individ-
ual, II were to indicate choice for President,
it would be in favor of the soundea Democrat
from the free SssieA taking The highest, boldss, and
most decided ground against the Wimot Proviso.n
On the 22d of December Of the same year, the
State Convention Of Georgia selected her dei-
egstes to the National Convention, and passed the
following resolutions:
RESOLVED, That the Democratic party Of Geor-
ga will support no for the Office of President
or Vice President, who shall not have clearly and
unequivocally declared their opposition to the
principles Of The Wilmot Provison
Resolued, That it is the constitutional right of
every citizen to remove and settle rIh his property
into any Of the Territories Of the United States
TO BE CONCLUDED NEXT WEEK