Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-05-15
WEDNESDAY, MORNING, MAY IA, 1851.
Non-committa,ism.


the Indiana State Journal:
We regret notice disposition on the part of some
of the Southern papers require Of Gen. ScorT,
condition precedent their support of him. (should he
be nominated by whig conventon) distinct pledge
in relation to questions arising OF the existence of
slavery These gentlemen ought to remember that the
wings of the free States supported Gen. TAYLOR with
out requiring any pledges from him that subject All
the pledge given by him faithfully enforce the laws
enacted by Congress. Gen. Scorr will occupy the
ground and with that Southern wings ought to be salts
fed.
Gen ScoTT's fidelity to his country will not be dis
puted and though he may not proper give his
opinion on all the questions that politicians have con-
tributed so much TO raise, suppose man can be
found shameless charge him with being an enemy
TO the Union.
The Journal is the friend of General Scott and
the organ of the wing party in Indiana We therefore
take the above declaration the ayowed sentiments Of
that party. Non-committalisn a line of policy
marked out by Ewing, Clayton Seward Thad Stevens,
Thurlow Weed, Horace Greedy and the prime in
bringing forward the of Gen. Scott. That politi-
cal movement had its origin with the enemies Of Fillmore
who fearing that his growing popularity might make him
prominent candidate for the succession determined to
supplant him by early in favor Of distn-
guished military chieftain. Mr.. Fillmore elected
Vice President without being committed these ques-
tions The death of Gen. Taylor made him President at
the most fearful crisis in the history Of his country He
compelled act; and be did act as becomes the
chief magistrate of great nation On the vexed ques-
tion then before Congress- which resulted in the adop.
ton of the peace measures the of Mr.. Fillmore
met with general appreciation He done his duty like
patriot and for this very he he aside by
his political party and another selected whose views
and opinions unknown. The South to be told
that Mr. Fillmore be elected because he is
mtted the slavery question, and therefore with gen.
erous confidence they take Gen. Scott and ask him
questions, because the north took Gen. Taylor with
out any expression OF opinion for the public eye. Will
the south consent to these conditions We will give
few extracts which think has squirting in another
direction. COL Humphrey Marshall of the Louisville
District, who was member of the last Congress, and
who is candidate for reelection in letter to H Pope
says:
Is Gen Scott in favor Of maintaining or repeating the
fugitive slave law of the last Congress? Who can ex-
press his opinions in reply to this question! To satisfy
me, his opinion must be explicitly made known-not
merely on the fugitive slave law, bet variety OF
other topics Nor will you deem this socitude
sonable, since see the most active individuals In
heraldng Gen. SCOTS pretenrions were the most
conspicuous opponents of the fugitive slave act and
other kindred measures. have no political affinity TO
lreesoilism freesoilers. regard it and them the
most mIschevous elements at present IN our political
system; and. whether the doctrines of lreesoism be
urged by Wings or Democrats. am free declare,
will never consent to he party to any organization Of
which they form distinctive feature | have amhi.
Iion to rank with any administration in which they
TO have, which they possibly gain control
And would prefer, Whg to surrender power
rather than to aid in the production Of ad-
mnisraon in partnership with tie freesoilers those
who lend them countenance. If Gen. Scott will publish
or declare his adhesion to the compromise acfs-if he
will write himself down 10y the side of Willard Fillmore
those questions and he shall he the choice of par
Il n1vc IN ha nof
even then, be my choice.
In calling attention to Col. Marshalrs letter, Mr.
Prentice, the Editor of the Louisville Journal says
Col. Marshall has doubts to the position that Gen.
Scott occupies intends occupy the lug slave
law. Col NJ is right in saving that he will not support
Gen. Scott for the Presidency unless the old hero shall
declare himself in favor of the maintenance of that law.
We have reason to believe that Gen. Scott is per.
eety sound in respect the matter but assuredy
he cannot thout erplicit dDord of his obtain
solitary electoral rOte in any siareholding State
The St. Louis Republican, speaking of Gen. SCOTS
pretensions, says:
This compromise" settled far as the Slave States
concerned the question of slavery and no attempt
to destroy it, change its provisions will ne tolerated
by the people o. the Slave States. might 90 fur
Their and say the friends Of the Union any where As
believe that this question is be the and
trolling element in the next Presidential election,
could look upon the pre:ensons Of any with ia
vor who was not committed to the strict observance of
the Compact by all the pledges which man of honor
should give. IT, then, the claims Of Gen. Scott of
any other man. to he pushed at this early day by
his friends, his views upon this question ought to he
made known with such dstnctness that any Of the
commones understanding comprehend and put faith
in them.
Farther south these opinions more extensive and
radical these questions. Gen. Scott must speak.
The shout of Cerro Gordo and Cherubusco will not
drown the demands Of the country Noise and confusion
will be You can't run him, gentlemen, his
native Amercanism his ancient wing principles.
Here are new isms which he himself
publicly Better let him speak. Mr.. Defrees