Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-01-30
The Whig Party in this state and
the Slavery Question.

We have noticed an attempt IN some quarters,
to create the impression that a portion of the
Wing Party of this State has reccded, or is about
to rccede, from the positions formerly taken by
that party on questions relating to Slavery. II
has been more than intmated that there are
springlng up among US two divisions, the one
adhenng TO Mr. W obster, the other TO Mr. Sew
ard, as political leaders. Whether such a state
of things actually exists, or whether, with our
opponents, the uiSh begets the thought that such
Is the fact, 1t cannot, III either case, be a matter
Of indifference 10 any genuine and earnest w mg
w G Iepndlate, at the outset, the idea of any
difference of principle in relation TO Slavery, a.
mong the great body OF Vermont Wings. They
coincide perfectly III their views of that instltu-
ton. They regard it with settled and deep
dislike, and they are still as for thirty years past
they have been, resoute in opposing, by every
lawful means, It's further dissemination on the
American Continent. They are prepared on all
proper occasions, TO express their opinions and
their determination on this subject, freely and
iearlessly; and they will ever be found acting
fully up 10 their professions. Such being the
fact we see no occasion whatever for any disa-
greement--much less for any separaton-in our
party organization, or IN the platforms" of our
Conventions. We have gone on quite harnoni
ously together heretofore, and we see not why,
remaining sul true TO the same prlnciples--and
urging ule same measures, not already PRACTICAL
ly carried into effect, far they possibly can
be-we shall not continue the same united and
efficient brotherhood as in other days
Two sources of difficulty, however, have been
referred to, by others who are looking on from
the outside" on which word may be needed.
We mean, supposed difference of opinion as to
the lately enacted Fugitive Slave law, and as 10
the llaheas Corpus act passed at the last session
of our Legislature.
The Fugitive Slave Law was passed by Lo-
cofoco Congress, without the all of single
vote from Vermont OF Of more than tire or Mrct
Wings from the non-slaveholdlng States. II was
signed by President Fillmore, after due consulta-
ton with his legal adviser, the United States At
toney General, which satisfied him Of It's strict
consuuuonality. That II was passed deliberate
I ", Is known. The President could not, then,
without contrary TO Wing ductrinel making hun
self part Of the strictly Legislature branch OF
/ the Government, refuse 1t his signature He
would take the same course IN relation to It's a.
mendment or repeal The Wings of tins IT te
dislike the law, and ask To have 1t repealed OF
modified Their Representatives in Congress
/ have recently unanimously voted IN favor Of It's
repeal In relation to this matter, we are not
aware of any considerable difference OF opinion
among the Wings Of this State. The number
who Internationally sustain the law is undoubt-
ediy SO small li any There bel as 20 make Il en-
trciy unnecessary TO take them into the account
Such being the fact our opponents who look for
a division IN this particular, will be sadly disap.
pointed.
As to the ileheas Corpus law, very little need
be SAID. But ior a very unusual interference
aud denunclation from abroad, 1t never would
have attracted any notice whateyer-it would al.
ways have remained a dead letter ON our statute
book. Il IS a matter wholly unimportant 10 the
people Of this State, practically, aud ass such
VIII never give rise 10 quarrel. No case Of the
kind 10 which this law is intended 10 apply has
ever happened IN this State, we believe, with the
exception OF asnall number Of arrests, by claim
ants from New York, when Slavery existed there
, forty years ago. The instance in which il car
be called into exercise, we may very confident,
predict, viii never occur Fugitive Slaves who
have succeeded IN getting so lar ON their way L
Canada viii hardly stop here SO long as there i
danger-nor will they be likely To be sought at
= ter within the limits Of this State, by men VIII,
know anything Of geography.
Many, probably majority, Of the Wings re
greet the enactment of tins law-chehy because
It Is OF no possible use, except TO afford pretex
q 10 Southern fanatics for continued agitation /
WIZ never, however, be made test Of party Il
delity with the Wings in this State, nor can
have any proper connection with the elections
that are TO take place for the year TO come. In
decd, as we have before stated, We think ta