Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1850-06-29

lent,-Was the means of OBTAINING the House
several weeks without an Organization, and al
last of giving to the south, and to the opposi.
ton, the control of the popular branch of Con-
gress. This great change in their conduct
and this violent opposition to General Taylor
and his administration was evidently founded
in some cause. Let as trace it out During
the canvass of '48, the course which Gen. Tay-
lor would pursue as to applying the veto to
the provlso. was a matter of speculation be-
tween northern and southern wings But be-
fore the first day of this session, the southern
! gentlemen named, became satisfied, no doubt,
that if the proviso was enacted by Congress
tie President s0ould not veto IL, and that he
and his Cabinet were not favorable to an en-.
actment of any law which would give the pow
er absolutely or constructiyely to take slavery
into the territories. In this manner it was
demonstrated that in all probability we were
to have precisely the same Ezecutipe action,
touching the exercise of the veto power to de-
feat the proviso if enacted, for which, in the
National Convention and in the canvass, we
required specific pledge and that the South
ern man who had been forced upon the North
by these Southern members, would not defeat
our policy touching slavery restriction by his
veto. The opposition of these same men to
the administration has been increasing during
the session. To show that am not mistaken
as to its cause, need but to refer you to the
speech made by Mr.. Toombs, few days since,
on the "Galphin claim" in which he avowed
that his opposition to Gen. Taylor, and his
Cabinet grew out of the difference between
his policy and theirs upon the question Of
sloVery
With cncI f,oFs - ,I,oso .t,-:,... -. =; a. .
facets it just TO condemn those wings who yot-
ed for Gen. Taylor, believing he would not ex-
ercise the veto power upon law containing
the ProFiso, and eOho are still CONSISTENT an tie
support Of ats provisions, especially when we
reflect that the most formidable of his compet-
itors was under positiee pledge to veto Il, and
that the other had not left behind him rec
ord presenting any very prominent marks of
sacrifices for the cause of freedom? But it is
useless to pursue this train of facts further.
Your discriminating mind win at once enable
you to perceive that the very men who put
us down in the national convention, believing
that by the nomination of General Taylor,
without pledges they were cheating the North,
have but cheated Memselpesi May we not
therefore exchange mutual congratulations
that their disappointment in the success of that
political investment, is in no manner charpea-
bic to a want of candor, franknes and fair deal
ing on the part of the Ohio delegation, and es-
.pecially of those whom they denounced for
''insulting" the Convention, when they sought
to have the matter fairly understood by reso-
lutions OF that body?
But, sir, what is now our condition? What
shall be done? How should we proceed?
California is here with constitution pro-
hibitlng the introduction of slavery there
These men oppose her admission, unless with
the act there shall be some enactment which
Will give to the slave power an Advantage in
regard to the territories, polick by tqW 1t does
not nom possess. Gen. Taylor and his Cabi-
net, have recommended her unconditional ad-
mission, disconnected from any compromise re-
lating to other questions. Tits fact, too well
known TO need repetition, that as the U. S.
senate is at present composed, no territorial
law, embracing the proviso. can possibly pass
Congress, and go to the hands of the Execu-
tive. The south, therefore, aim at law gov
erning the territories aoithom the 1oroviso, and
by this means to open door to slavery there,
which IN the present state of things is closed
against it, The Presidents recommendation
is against this policy. and for mon -action' on
the part of Congress, until the people of the
territories, who are well known to be opposed
to the introduction of slavery, shall adopt a
constitution. Under such circumstances then,
to what ends should the efforts of the friends
OF freedom here be directed? Ianswer: lst. |
10 the unconditional admission of California. !
I'd As the proviso cannot pass Congress- to |
the defeat Of any territorial law which does
not embrace it These ends accomplished, we
must hold fast to them, until constitutions are
formed by the people, excluding slavery, or
until such renovation of the United States SEN
ate and house of representatives may be made |
by the North, as will ensure the enactment of I
territorial laws with the proviso With the
influences of compromises at work 4
amongst us-with the desertion of Northern
men here, from their true positions-with the
active exertions and oyershadowing power of
such men as Clay and Webster, Cass and Buc-
hanan against the accomplishment of such
ends, there is not one real friend of the pro-
Viso here, who would not think, now rejoice
we're we able to close the labors of the pres
pnt Congress on the slavery question, with +
the unconditional admission of California. and
The postponement of ali action on the terrific
rial laws, until the people of the North may
have an opportunity of representing their SEN
lments more truly in the next. Our labors, I
fsuccessful, tend to this practical result which
$ the same as recommended by the President
1t the opening of Congress, and which if
adopted then, would have prevented months
If exciting debate, and saved a vast amount
If our national treasure.
You viii not do me the injustice TO infer
rom these remarks, that falter in the least
n my support Of the proviso. am now as al
ways, for its application to all territorial laws,
md against all territorial laws W hich do not in
dude it Nor am an admirer of the princi-
lie of "notl cction;" but desire to show
merely that its results, under eristiny circum-
tances may be beneficial to us. l should {
lot regard it as prudent to make an assault
lpon one, much my superior in physical ,
trength In such a case would rather adopt, h
or the time being, the doctrine of "non-action''
han to take Mrashing, and hare nay eyes
'ouged OUT And upon the same princip pie l
would not regard it as prudent to urge legisla-