The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-01-22
Che AliaNlcburp Register.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. %, 1851.
The Wing Party in this State and the
Slavery Question.

We have noticed an attempt, in some
quarters, to create the impression that por.
ton Of the Wing Party of this State has re-
cclrd, or is about TO rcccte, from the posi-
tons formerly taken by that pa' ty on qucs.
lions relating to Slavery n has been more
than iniimaed that there are springing Up
among us two divisions, the ono adheriug to
Mr. WEBSTER, the other 10 Mr., SEWARD,
as political leaders. Whether such state
Of things actually exists, or whether with our
opponents, the IRISH bcgcls the thought that
such is the fact, it cannot, in either case, be
n matter of indifference 70 any genuine and
earnest Wing.
We repudac at the outset, the idca of
any difference Of principle in relation to
Slavery, among the great body of Vermont
Wings. They coincide perfectly in their
views of that " institution" They regard it
with settled and deep dislike, aud they are
STILL as for thirty years ras, they have been,
resoluc in opposing, by every lawful meanO
lis furi her dissemination on tue American
Continent They are prepared, on all prop
CT occasions, TO express their opinions and
their determination on this subject, frcel,
and iearlcssly; and they will ever be found
acting fally up TO their professions. Such
being the fact, we see no occasion whatever
for any disagrccmtnt--much less for any
separation-in our party organization, Or in
the platforms Of our Conventions. We
have gone on quite tremendously together
heretofore and we see not why, remaining
still true to The same princplcs-and urs.
ing the same measures. not already prac-
ti;ilIy citficl into effect, so far as they
possibly can bo--we shall M, continue the
same united and efficient brother hood as in
olher days.
Two sources Of difficulty, However, have
Iccn referred TO, 10y others who arc looking
on from the outside" on which word NAV
be needed. We mean, supposed differ
cnce Of opinion rs to the lately enacted Flu.
giiive Slave law, and as 10 the fIabeas Corpus
act passed at the last session Of our Lesisa-
turc
The Fugitive Slave Law was passed by
Locoioco Congress, without the aid Of sin
gle vote from Vermont, or Of more than i,ro
or three Wigs from the non-slayeholdinc
States /; was signed by President FILL
MORE after dac consultation with his legal
adviser tho United States Attorney Gener
a. which satisfied HIM Of its strict constitu-
tionaiity. That it was passed Deliberately
is known. The President could not, then.
without Contrary to Wing doctrinei making
himself part cfthc strictly lcgislaiice branch
Of the Government, refuse it his Signature
lie would take the same course in relation
10 lis amendment or repeal. The Wigs of
this State dislike the law, and ask 10 have
it repealed or modified. Their Representa-
iives ia Congress have recently unanimously
voted Ia favor OF its repeal In relation to
this matter. we are not aware Of any con-
siderable difference Of opinion among the
Wings Of this State. The number who
Internationally sustain the law is undoubted-
ly so small iii any there beg as to make it
entirely unnecessary 70 take them into the
account Such Icing the fact, our oppo.
neus, who look for a division in this partc-
ular, will be sadly disappointed.
As TO the lIabcas Corpus law, very little
need he said. But for "a very unusual inter
ference and denunciaiion from abroad, it
would never have attracted any notice what
evcr--it would have always remained dead
letter on our statute book. Ii is matter
wholly unimporiant to the people Of this
State, practically, and as such, will never
give rise to a quarrel. No case of the kind
TO which this law is intended to apply has
ever happened in this State, We believe, with
the exception Of small number of arrests
by claimants from New York, when Slavery
existed there, forty years ago The instance
in which il can be called into exer-
else, we may very confidently predict, will
never occur. Fugitive Slaves who have
succeeded in getting 50 far on their way to
Canada will hardly stop here SO long as there
is dangcr-nor will they be likely to be sought
after within the limits of this State by men
who know anything Of geography.
Many, probably majority, of the Wings
regret the enactment of this law--cheiiy
because II ;s Of no possible use, except to
afford pretext to southern fanatics for con-
iinucd agitation. Il will never, however be
made A Test of pars fidelity, with the Wigs
in this State, nor can it have any proper
connection with the elections that are 10 tako
place for he year 10 come. Indeed, as we
have before stated, we think far more has
been said on this subject, than it deserves.
Unless we can be satisfied of its uuconstitu-
ionaliiy, we care little whether it is repealed,
or simply forgotten.
Massachusetts Senator.
fI,ro l.lfnttppc ,roro I.I f,r II < Gaua-