Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1851-02-13
Mr.. Webster, the Administration,
and the Compromise"

published in sundry newspapers without single
word of remark
aThe Presidents Message, a, the opening OF
the present session of Congress- expresses fully
and plainly his own opinion, and the unanimous
opinion of all those associated with him IN the
executive administration of the Government II
regard to what are called the Adjustment or Com
promise VI ,asures of the last session. That O.
pinon is. that those measures should be regarded
in principle as a final settlement of the danger
Gus and exciting subjects which they embrace
that though they were not free from imperfec
tons. vet in their mutual dependence and con.
nection, they formed system Of compromise
the most concilatory and best for the entire coun.
try, that could be obtained from conflicting sec
tional interests and opinions and that therefore,
they should he adhered to until time and expert
ence should demonstrate the necessity of further
legislation, 10 guard against evasion OF abuse. --
That opinion, so far as | know, remains entirely
unchanged, and will be acted upon steadily and
decisvely. The peace of the country requires
this; the security of the Constitution requires
this cons stcncy requires this and every con-
sideration of the public good demands this II
the administration cannot stand upon the princi-
pies Of the message, Il does mol erpect 10 stand al
all"
Possibly it may be policy for wing newspapers
we are sure that such course is not frank, and
are doubtful, to say the least, Of its being sound
policy. The opposition will not fail to claim
and with apparent good reason-that this is an
authorized exposition of the views of President
FnLNoRr, and of each of the gentlemen in Of
fee who make up what's commonly called 3" rHr
ADMINISTRATION" If not authorized by them,
Mr.. Webster seems 10 have been unfortunate in
the use Of language-a misfortune which sell
dom happens to him. If 1t icds authorized we
apprehend there is a very respectable number OF
very respectable Wings, by virtue o. whose
votes TUE ADMINISTRATIONS" is now in power,
who would like full and explicit declaration OF
the meaning of the words printed by ourselves
in itdi,c-to wit :
az The administration cannot stand upon The
principles IF The message ie. IN reference to the
Compromises we understand the passagel Il
does mol erpect 10 stand al dH"
When the President in his message recon-
mended to Congress an adherence to the Com
promise, "until time and experience shall dem.
onstrate the necessity of further Legislation to
guard against evasion or abuse" we found no
wings di posed TO quarrel with him for that nor
have We found any up to tins time All were
ready to concede to the President, so far as we
know, the right to follow freely his own judy
ment on that matter; and generally, we think,
the disposition was to give him credit for SINGER
ity, prudence and patriotism. If any Vermont
Wing thought Of making the Compromise test
questionable test question, to the exclusion OF
all others-and oppose or condemn the President
because he did not declare himself to be for the
instant repeal or modification of the Comprom,
isc inca sures, we have never seen such a whie
or heard Of one We think we cannot be mis-
taken--the Wing sentiment in Vermont was, and
still is, decided and strong against two of the
measures that form part of the Compromise
one Of which (the Texas boundary is beyond
reach: the other is the fugitive slave lava law
which has already been demonstrated, in the es-
tinlation of multitude of Vermonters, to be
needfa of amendment, at least so far as to guarC
against abuse.n Nevertheless, the unversa
sentiment of Vermont Wings was, and still is
if we understand Alright conciliatory, kind friend
" to the Administration Vermont Wings un
doubtelly desire to support it, as they can onl,
support 1t successfully, by firm, consistent
honest and manly adherence TO Vermont Whil
principles. We venture TO ask Is not The I'D
mnisiraiion satisfied ,oih that Certainly W,
have always so supposed, and could not now har
Dor the shadow of doubt, but for Mr. Web
ster's letter.
Certain resolutions were adopted unanimously
by the last Legislature Of Vcrmont-a whie
Legislature, be il remembered. These reit
Grated the of repeated and well known views
of Vermont against slavery, and against its ex
foot of soil to be staid back from becoming
slave territory, we will insist upon the protection
of such soil by Legislative prohibition"
One of these resolutions was in these words:
"Reso'red, That the people of Vermont do
not approve Of the recent act of congress relat-
ing TO persons escaping from service of their
masters holding IT 10 be opposed TO the great
principles of civil liberty and we will use all
constitutional means TO procure its repeal, or
such notifications of it to protect the rights of
our own citizens
Another resolution in the series approved of
the admission of California; and others still rec
ognized the duty of courtesy and kindness TO
laveholders-promised to respect their consti-
tutional rights, and expressed strong attachment
to the Union.
We are aware, land were pleased 10 see il, J
that the National hiteiiigenoer published these
resolutions in full, and declared them TO be sat
isiactory." But the Intelligencer is not the or
gan Of the Administration its approval, howey-
er satisfactory in ITSELF is not the approval of the
Administration and besides, if it were he or an
organ two months ago, Mr. Websters letter
would warrant a reasonable doubt whether the
sentiments OF December, 1850, were the sent-
ments of Jan. "a, 1851. We therefore ask =
fire the Hing Senator's and Representatives. of
Vermont, rho roted for these resolutions and the
Wing .freemen and the Uhig editors icho approve
hsm entitled TO rank as friends Of the admin
istration?
We may be mstaken-we certainly hope we
are; but the concluding passage in Mr.. Web
sters letter, which has given rise to this article,
appears to our eyes wonderfully like the NEw
Tssr, recently got up at Washington, and sign
ed by forty-four members of different political
strinas tho Southar, Iococo.o .,.,....