Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-09-11
The True Issue.

The public attention has of late been too
much diverted from the real issue made by the
slavery propagandsts. The passage of the Flu
gitive Slave Act, and the various high handed
measuers taken to enforce it, have so occupied
the public mind, that but little has been said or
thought Of that purpose by the slave power,
which it presses with such relentless pertenaCi-
ty.
Talk of the matter as we will, it is unques-
tionably the destiny of Mexico to be gradaly
invaded by the superior energy and enterprise
of our people, at every point where she touches
our borders. This will lead to gradual annex
alton. You may regret this ; you may protest
against it but it is the manifest destiny" The
| Mexlcans are weak and shiftess. We are
strong, enterprising, and full of restless energy.
We may not have another Mexican War, but,
many things indicate that we shall bye and bye
have more annexation.
The slave power understands this very clear
ly, and at the present time, thinks of it far more
earnestly than ofthe Fugitive Slave Law. Shall
the territory to be acquired from Mexico be ran
ged on the side ofsIavery, or against it ? Shall
the States along The borders of Mexico, be free
states or slave states? For it is from these
states that our encroaching bands of emigrants
and adventures will go across the border, to
seek their fortunes and Amercanize the neigh.
boring country. Thus New Mexico, Utah and
California, will do much to determine whether
slavery or freedom shall be established in the
next acquisitions OF Mexican territory.
The desperate slavery propagandists those
who are now threatning disunion, care very lit
tie about the Fugitive Slave Law. Some of
them admit it to be unconstitutional Few of
them care what becomes Of it With them, the
leading grievance is the admission of California
as free state. The actual issue to which they
are now ranging themselves, is" The dvis.
ion Of California, and Slavery, instead of Free
dom in the Territories"
With respect to the Territories, the admins
tratlon is favorIng their plans. A Southern
Shareholder has been sent to govern New Mex
leo The territorial judges have been selected
in the same spirit, so that the law may be in
terpreIed to the satisfaction of slavery. Other
important measures and influences are at work
to facilitate the introduction of slavery, partlc-
ularly in New Mexico where it encouters most
opposition. Schemes are on foot to divide Cali
fornia, and perhaps change the Constitution of
that state in favor OF slavery.
This question of the extension of slavery can
never be settled or become obsolete so long as
the SaVe0OueTS continue 10 press II IN THIS way.
1t was never more urgent than at the present
time. All the recent movements and threats of
the S uthern secessioniss, as they are called
mean the establishment of slavery along the
border of Mexico. Though baffled with respect
to their designs on California they still think to
carry their point, bv taking extreme positions
and threatnlng the Union. Meanwhile, the cot
ton and bunker people at the North seem ready
to suppress" our speech and cut our tongues
if we speak Of the matter aloud They would
have us keep still and agree to anything that
may be demanded; ana this baseness they pre-
sumo to call saving the Union"
At the present time, the slavery propaganda
lists are directing all their efforts to a prepar
alton for the next presidential canvass. They
mean to take such positions and compel the phi.
ant politicians of the North to such servility, as
will secure the accomplishment Of their plans
for dividing California and makingg slavery su.
preme in the Territories. Here is the actual is
sue to be met Here is the true battlefield be-
fore us. Here are the challengers of every can
did lte for the next Presidency.-HaHford Re
publican.