Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1852-09-09
NO. g.
An Important Admission.

AHdNutF,'o CtCNGllo VI tlliS1 IVA
MIS-, Is well known as one of the lead
ers, with Seward, Of The fee-soil abb
OlitIP Pn whig party Of the North. lie
was an original Scott man, and la
bored earnestly and efficiently to
procure his nomination. His s tate
ments, therefore, relatiye to the & po-
sition of Scott on the slavery DUES
ton may be regarded as authdrita-
tive. We therefore copy the follow
ing froma speech delivered by MIR.
Stevens in the House, on the 18th
ult If Gen. Pierces. sentiments on
this subject. had been hitherto ever
so obscurely expressed, the source
from which the following sentiments
Originate, with their frequent reiter-
alton by Others in similar charges, is
sufficient to present him in the most
favorable light as available to the
prospects Of the South, and sound
on the subject Of adhesion to the
constitutional compact ~ Ameyg.
Mr.. Stevens said:
''Now, sir, l intend to be frank
upon this subject. So far as enforc-
ing the provisions Of tAe constitu-
Iioa, witA'e regard to slavery, is con-
cerned, in all its parts, | believe no
man in this Union could be more
faithful than Gen. Scott. Having
taken the official oath of Chief MAJ
gistrate to support the constitution,
it seems to me that none but base
minded men would diS;rust its fulfil
ment; but if gentlemen require, as
they plainly do require, that any act
Of Congress, amending or repeating
the fugitive law, should be met by
Executive obstructions, and arrested
by the Executive veto; and chat the
whole influence of bis Administration
should be used for that purpose, I
am free to say, thatI do not believe
they cam rely upon Gen. Scott for
such high-handed fyranny.
"If they require that the Execu-
tive shall afford facilities for extend
ing slavery into territory now free, or
the admission of new slave States IN
to Union, beyond the line of COM
pact now existing, I think | hazard
nothing in saying that they cannct
rely upon Gen. Scott. Uponthe other
hand, AN constrained to admit, that
in all official as well 3s exta-ollieial
efforts by the use of the Executive
veto, to prevent th4 amendment or
repeal of the f1gijiyq slirye Inv, AMI
to afford Facilities for the spread OF
slavery into the Union, they can re-
ly most implicitly upon Gen. Pierce,
Notwithstanding that same speech
made by him at New Boston
Laughter.
"If he ever did ute such senti-
ments-if he ever did lll into the
path Of rectiiudc, it va S momentary
and accidental, and f. which he is
not to be held responsible, [renewed
laughterl-for all his Notes in Con-
gress, and all his publ c acts every
where, proclaim him thb champion of
slavery. Ifthis eIcctioni to be put
on the sole grounds di supporting
slavery beyond t be. rel huirements Of
The constitution, (as j. now appa-
rent and all othfr ddestions are to
be considered Of minbt importance,
then those gentIemd d who think so
are right in abanddn ing all other
parties and supporting Pierce.
Il concede further I that if my
friend from New York, AIr. King, and
those @llo profess to bb anti-slavcry
men elsewhere-if tn / whole demo-
cratic party dc raiIy n support of
Gen. Pierce at tic oIhing election,
it viii conclusively pre| |fe the truth
orTlat was long asst E<ed by one Of
their ablest statesmen, That North
ern Democracy is tn ! natural ally
Fof Southern slavery. If this Is. the
J position Of geniIemenl thew are right
IN opposing Gen. Sd pit, ahl going
for Gen. Pierce. | iii II no lhult with
those WHO make 4hat khe sdla o. iect
Of this contest" "