Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1851-02-07
THE SLAVERY PLEDGE.

The following is the pledge in circulation
among members of Congress 10 put down all ag
ltatlon against slavery. OF course, agitation in
favor OF slavery is not prohibited by this pledge
"The undersigned, members of the Thirty.
first Congress of the United States, believing
that renewal of the sectional controversy upon
the subject Of slavery would be both dangerous
to the Union and destructive of its objects, and
seeing no mede by which such controversy car
be avoided except by strict adherence to the
settlement. thereof effected by the Compromise
Acts passed at the last session of Congress DO
HEREBY DECLARE their intention to maintain the
settlement inviolate, and to resist all attempts
to repeal or alter the acts aforesaid, unless by
the general consent of the friends to the meas
ures, and to remedy such evils, if any, as time
and experience may develop. AnH, for the
purpose OF making this resolution effective, they
FURTHER DECLARE that they will not support
for the office of President or President, or
of Senator Representative in Congress, or as
member OF State Legislature, any man, of
whatever party, who is not known to be oppos-
ed to the disturbance of the settlement aforesaid,
and to the renewal in any form of agitation upon
the subject of slavery"
During the discussion on the Slave-Trade
Resolution of Mr. Clay Jan. 22d. Mr. Hale cal
led attention to this pledge, as published in the
Republic.
Mr.. Clay, in reply, openly avowed himself as
one Of signers oft,at paper, and his intention to
adhere to his terms, SO far as he was called
upon to do SO.
Mr.. Foote said that be was somewhat impli-
Gated in the publication by Mr.. Hale. The
purport Of that publication was, that signcrs Of
all parties united 10 put down the agitation of all
subjects tending to renew discord and sectional
l.
stroy the concord and union Of oil portions of
the country. 1t was supposed that there were
some persons in some sections of the country who
aspire to the Presidency and other high offices,
and desired to reach those positions by keeping
agitation alive. This publication was merely to
warn snch persons, it any did exist, that the old
party ties would not be adhered to- bat so far rs
the influence and efforts OF those who signed it
could be cXerted, such persons could not sue
coed even TO the smallest Office. He would not
have said a word concerning it, had he. (Foote)
not been one ofits earliest signers. The article
contained his sentiments. Such an association
of distinguished men, in his opinion could put
down agitation, and he believed they had exer-
cised an influence already upon some through q
fear Of loss Of oficiaI advancement.
Here is a deliberate union, on the rart of
prominent men of both the old parties, to sup
press all discussion on the subject of the Fugi-
tive Slave Law, and the establishment OF Sla-
very in the Territories, and publicly ayowed
determination on their part TO combine and give
up the old party issues, blot out all party dis
tinctions, take the rens OF government into their
hands, and exclude all men from office who dare
to speak their sentiments on the subject of slave
ry And this feat is attempted by handful of
men in Congress, sent there to legslate for their
constituents, but who spend their time in Presi-
dent-making, and in framing guarantees for Sla-
very, and in forging letters for the Tongue, the
Pen, and the Press. Poor demented, slavery
ridden devils !--Daily Free Dem.