The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-01-18

o. onei IN hvoI Of restricting slavery. and most Of them
0as here Va suAer u th<~ legislatures las lar a.
learn but Uoted IN thar favor. These whig leaders
uiss soak tbs wind out OF the sails Of the free soil
self. N 4. eI
Let as look at their position now. and inquire whether
am correct ~ the opinion already expressed, that
change has taken place in public sentiment OF the North
on this question aude not TO The democratic party who
supported candidatefor the presidency pledged against
any and all legislation interfering with slavery but TO
that party al the North which supported HE successful
candidate. How stands ha party aud wha! course has
its leaders pursued General Taylor was inaugqraed
March 5, 1919 He found himself IN an equvoeal posi-
ton AT the South he had been urged before the people
pledged any bill passed by Congress interfering
with slavery al the North he had been advocated for be-
opposed to The exercise Of The veto aud will
ling acq uesee any such legislation II Congress- then
should bill containing prohibition OF slavery in the
Territories what was he TO do! Should he approve it, he
would be everywhere in the South denounced as trail
tor to them; should he veto IT. his party at the North
would be shattered into fragments. Like the slavers
IRON The coast OF Africa, he attempted the middle pas
sage, as least dangerous Out of character for
him. he, OF his cabinet for him. attempted 10 shirk
sponsbiiliy which was Judged to be too formidable 10
sumo. II was proposed to let the Territories remain
a ahsn o, subject only g military rule until they
to evade The question which had placed the adminsra.
uon IN power and that too, by approving military gov
stnmenls IN The Territories ." time psses while for
denounced by the leaders OF the wing party without stint
and without measure. This policy OF General Taylor
tue open condemnation OF Mr. Clay speech IN
the Senate He said he could not see how any aohig
could possibly sustain such course Here was danger
againa danger which threatened the total overthrow Of
the power Of the administration Ia the mean ,me the
excitement in The country had assumed alarming
aspect II was apparent TO every observer that something
must be done and that the question must be settled in
some mode other. Then it WAS that Mr. Webster,
who had claimed to be the inventor of the Proviso-
the mechanic who had constructed the ant-slavery
plaoIm-lhe very cloud out OF which had issued
The first rumbngs OF the proviso ,hunder--came for
n lie hat The md
repudlae the invention Of his own genius. He put the
|" Wmot TO scorn before the American Senate and the
power (and no man has greater) the compromise meas
ures. including bill for the very purposes OF this bill
which excles your deep abhorrence' Mr.. Webster
was supported IN this by several northern wing
and representatives, and by the Vice President himself
who had always before been known seadiast enemy
TO slavery, and ardent friend lis abolition wherever
could be reached All these changed 'front.' on this
question. as ploapily and mechanically as though they
had been well-drlled battalion, acting parade day
under the orders OF their commanding officer What
next! General TAYLOR dies, and Mr.. Fillmore becomes
President. He makes Mr. Webster his prime minister
thus before the country endorsing his opinions and
hrming his acts Even MIR. Corwin who had opposed
the omnibus" in the Senate, gdes smoothly into the
cabinet faces 10 the right about and AL join hands to
crush the Proyso and roll the omnibus in triumph
through the halls OF Congress And rolled through,
like triumphal car, BY aid Of wing votes induced by
them in it's favor-eveA such wings General Wilson.
OF New Hampshire, man who had. IN the House Oh
Representatives after advocating the Proviso the only
rorles, said
the alternative should be presented him the
OF slavery the dissolution Of the Union, would
say, lei the Uncn-ay the unverse-be dissolved Never
never said he, "w my hand or my voice give
vote by which slavery can OF may be extended As
sod is my Judge, cannot viii not be moved from the
purpose have now announced"
Even such wing as he came up with really "aye"
Tor all the bills OF settlement including this act OF "ab
honenee" How do the professions of the whg party of
the North made in lSlS, when they wished to elect d
President. tally with their practices 1850. when he
was elected Look at the public meetings which have
been held all over New England, in New York, Phila
depha and elsewhere in the North, which prominent
and distinguished men of that party, old Provso anti,
slavery men, have forward TO support acts for
roria governments without the Provso. and this act
which slirs up in you such deep adherence p Where
stand Stuart, Ga-ple Pickering and others, wing
bes OF Legislature, who voted the Provso in
sructions doubt not that this letter reaches you,
vote will be taken in the legislature again. and you
will the great mass OF the members OF that party
pudiae their resolution. Look at the election of
Mr. Elio, III the Boston district he was among the FIRST
to approve the changed course Of Mr. Webster and
that approval was elected 10 Congress from Boston, the
stronghold of aboIitonism. He, too, voted for this ab
horred law Am night, then, in supposing that change
great party Or these and professions in def
of the general sentiment of that party believe
that such change has taken place-tha II Is still gong
on--and il test could be had, believe j, would show
that enths-sye eteen enteihs-of the at
the North entertain opinions directly opposed 10 yours
But perhaps you will point 10 my defeat at the late cleo
on the other way. Blu, how is ii Was not the late
election the first time since the district was anzed that
the aboition,s had a candidate OF their the
heldl Have they become feeble that they cannot
again candidate for Congress in the seventh dis
,cli Or did my opponent sufficiently answer their pur
poses Did the abolItoniss over to the wing party
or did the whig party candidate and all, 90 to them
How was il Ia 1915 you polled ia votes IN the dis
trc for Mr. Van Burr0 while al the election your
vote added To the wing majority left the democrats IN
minority OF 2Ips voles and ye though voted Tor this
abhorred bill and the other measures OF adjustment, and
had opposed TO the abolitioniss and The whole
wing parly--knowng themselves IN a large majority
smaftng under their former defeat with perfect organ
zaion with their candidate long IN the field at work on the
stump with TO oppose hlm-notwi outstanding all
this, having but few days TO spend IN The cause, and
having 10 fight gang OF personal enemies and base po
diminished caused by violent tempest on the day
OF the election, which to the large towns where be
wing maorlues nearly equal that IN the entire district,
decided Advantage the people living IN the country al
places remote from the pos yet Tor all thus, and much
more that might name, was defeated by smaller
wing majority than that party before gave In the
district Whether the gentleman elected wi, prove any
more satisfactory to you than myself time will show
But sou denouhce the fugitve-slave blll-why Is II
not solely because enables the master 10 repossess HIM
self OF his runaway Is not this the sole cause OF your
objection II not. il would seem that some mod hca,ion
amendment might remove your objections. But no :
there be Immediate and unconditional repeal
Perhaps the law nlerferes with your employment Per.
haps you have stock underground railroad, which
has suffered Depreciation and below par IN
Of this law II so, you had better sell out and abandon
the business, especially If you get back what
You say you think the law is"a violation OF the law
OF God" You are, | believe, protested clergyman !;
but fear you have studied abolition Ianatca newspapers
and pamphlets more than your Bible You think II %