The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-01
"Abolifion.u

against General HARRISON as savage a
of ten" The Washington Globe, the
Richmond Enquirer, and the entire Loco
foco press, North and South, acting under
their lead, assailed all the opponents of
Mr.. Van buren, as Abolitionists and the
allies of Abolitionists. The proof was the
attitude of opposition to the candidate pre-
scented by the ellie of the distinguished
Democrats of Richmond. How much
truth there was in the charge of Adolf
tionism against General HARRISON may
be inferred from the fact that the General
denied the power of Congress to abolish
slavery in the District of Columbia with
out the consent of Virginia and Maryland,
and Of the people Of the District; and that
he had sacrificed his seat in Congress in
vindication of what he considered the con-
stitutional right of the people of Missouri to
settle the slavery question for themselves.
How much sincerity and good faith there
were in the outcry of Locofocoism may be
gathered with equal certainty from Mr..
VAN BUREN's position on this question.
He affirmed the unconditional power Of
Congress over slavery in the District of
Columbia, and had voted for resolutions
instructing the Senators and Representa-
tives of New York to oppose the admis-
sion of any State into the Union without
clause in its constitution excludir slavery.
Notwithstanding the antagonist posi-
tons thus occupied by Mr.. VAN buren,
and General HARRISON on this subject !;
Notwithstanding the General had demon
strated in the most marked and signal
manner his entirely national spirit on the
slavery question and notwithstanding
Mr.. VAN buren, was committed to the
teeth in favor Of that Interpretation Of the
Constitution which, in the view of Loco
focoism, now justifes rebellion and revo-
lution-the Globe, the Enquirer, and kim
dred prints were daily occupied with their
nefarious scheme of raising an abolition
agitation, and turning it against General
HARRISON in the Southern States. The
scheme was only partially successful. In
the canvass of 1910, the eyes of the
Southern people were opened to the mer-
its and the claims of General HARRISON,
and these claims and merits were ac-
knowledged by the immense popular vote
by which that eminent and patriotic citi-
zen was elevated to the Presidency.
The old Locofoco game was played in
1874. Mr.. CLAY was then denounced,
had been, as the candidate of the Adolf
tionists. The outcry was enough to in
jure him at the South. The oft-repeated
lie will always produce some effect. He
was beaten by the Abolitionists in the
State Of New York Had it not been for
the violent and successful efforts Of the
Abolitionists against Mr.. CLAY in that
State, he would have been elected to the
Presidency. In the face Of this fact, the
Locofoco journals of the South continued
to treat il as a historical truth, that the
Aboltionists at the North we're all Wings,
and the Wings all Aboltionists; and that
Mr.. CLAY was their favorite candidate,
and himself as bad an Abolitionist as was
to be found in the country. Mr.. Polk
being in the Presidency, and the Locofoco
party in power, we had brief respite
from this Abolition agitation. Mr.. PoLK's
party might have passed a Wilmot pro-
viso every day in the year-and Locofo-
ism would never have talked Of Southern
conventions, or dissolution of the Union,
or have Matched any manner Of treason or
quasi-treason for this or any other cause.
So long as the Presidency was kept in the
right politico-apostolical succession = in
some line recognised by the Virginia
elite II was all right. They could
90 for a Northern man who believed in
all the heresies Of -Soil-who was
openly, pointedIy, and repeatedly com
mitted to all of them-as was MARTIN
VAN buren, when they raised him 10 the
Presidency--provided only that he would
accommodate himself TO the views Of the
Virginia Democracy, as indicated by
Shockoe resolutions and the DEGREES Of
the Richmond Sweat-house. They could
leave abolition in allegiance as long as
they held the reins of power; they never
feared it or pretended to fear it as long as
they were snugin the Federal arm-chairs;
but now, when there is in the Presidential
seat not a Free-Soiler of their own cleo
ton like Mr.. VAN BUREN, but Southern
man, STAKEHOLDER, firm, gallant and
patriotic Chief Msgistrate--who does not
happen TO suit the interests and wishes Of