The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-01-10
The Coalition and tho Union.

The Coalition and tho Union.
We publish this morning recent letter Of
Mr.. Senator FooTE, on the subject of the meet
ing that has been suggested to be held in this
city of the friends of the Union. 1t is undoubt-
eddy true that the events Of the last year have
tended to impair old party attachments and asso-
ciations-though many of the established topics
of party division still exercise considerable in
fuence on the public mind. 1t is equally clear
that such base amalgamations as are now in pro-
gress in the State of Massachusetts, between the
Democrats and Abolitonists, must terminate
in the entire disruption of party ties, and drive
the conservative portion of the Democrats into
the administration ranks. 1t is well understood
that the alliance TO which we refer has taken
place with view to the Presidential question.
The friends of General CAss in Massachusetts
have been advised to oppose the coalition The
friends of another prominent Democratic can
ddate, from one of the New England States,
are said to have advocated it. The friends of
both have concurred in it..
Combinations of this nature cannot fail to
strengthen the WINGS and the Administration.
There is feeling gaining ground In the
Northern States, responsive to the generous
sentiment of love for the Union and the Consti
tuition, which has been SO sgnally manifested
by the Union party of the Southern States.
When Democrats and Abolitionsts combine, it
must follow that the friends Of the Union will
cooperate, no matter under what designation.
1t is impossible that the Aboltionists should gain
possession ofthe Government by a coalition with
the Northern Democracy, and the support of
common candidate for the Presidency, without
shaking our institutions to their foundation
The movement now going on in Massachusetts,
points significantly to coalition which shall
put forward Democratic candidate for the
Presidency with the assurance of Free-soil and
Abolition support. The Abolition leaders in
that State are in full communion with the Free
soil Democrats of New York; and there is little
doubt that the Buffalo entertainment is to be
reproduced, with new trimmings and appliances,
for the benefit Of quasi-Democratc candidate
Message OF the Governor OF Pennsylvania.
The message of the Governor of Pennsylva-
MIA appears in the Philadelphia papers of yes
terday morning. The public debt Of that State
has been reduced over half million within tho
last year. Deduct the expenses of certain i'm
provements made in the same period, which
are now nearly completed, and it is reasonable,
he says, to estimate that the reduction here
after will not be much less than million
year.
On the subject of the Fugitive Slave law
Governor JOHNSTON is in the number of those
State Executives who unhesitatingly affirm that
the law is but the fulfilment of one of the COM
promises of the Constitution, and he denies
that any legislative action is necessary on the
part of the States to carry it into effect He
says:
''The power to act on the subject of the extradi-
ton of fugitive slaves being thus vested solely in
the National Government, il ID the plain duty of
the citizens to submit to its enactments under the
Constitution. To act differently would be clearly
rebellion to Government"
The Governor thinks the law defective,
to the commissioners power which he
thinks should be alone invested in Judge,
and then the kind of proof required should be
indicated, and that the extradition of any
colored person without hearing before such
Judge should be visited with the penalty Of
kidnapping.
The Governor says the Union of the States
is the outer and inner wall which encircles
and guards the temple of our independence,
and he protests against all deliberation by
means of conventions, or other modes of action
unknown to the Constitution, and having for
their object either the dissolution of the Union,
or the discussion of sectional and hazardous
questions, for the decision of which the Con-
stitution has made ample provision.