The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-29
General scott,s Platform.-AbolitionA Agitation.


General scott's Platform.-Abolition Agitation.
We prcceed with our exposition Of those principles
which are convictions, which General Scott has set ior ID
as Interchangeable in his letters upon political SUBJECTS and
which are by no means embraced in the whig platform
of which the General after his nomination signhed his
acceptance by telegraph.
We have already seen that in ls4l he committed him
self in favor Of the abolition Of the veto power-in favor
of national bank of the bankrupt BILL and the bill for
the distribution of the proceeds OF the public lands We
have seen also that he then expressed his inclination
toiav 10 dranes. adopted eire by the repeal of
all the laws for their naturalization.
We come now to class OF his recorded opinions which
throw some light upon the circumstances OF his nomna-
ton, to the exclusion of Messrs Fillmore and Webster,
and which the Republic may well have remembered
when it proclaimed the nomination TO be sectional
triumph of the northern wings over the wings OF the
South.
Here is the Generals record as down in his letter of
November 10, ls4l, in relation, among other kindred
topics, to
Abolition Petitions.
81 have from the first of opinion that Congress
bound by the constitution receive to refer and to report
upon petitions relating domestic slavery, as IN the case
all other petitions but have no, failed to see and to regret
the voidable irritation which the former have produced
in the southern States with the consequent peril to the two
coos whereby the adoption OF any plan OF emancipation
has everywhere among us been greatly retarded"
Considering tina. these abolition petitions have always
been looked to- and are now looked to, Of the
readiest and mos, formidable instruments OF aboonist
sgi,a,ion cannot wonder that the aga'ors made Gen
Scott their Observation-Disclosures when him here az
frming in so many words his" conviction" or "princi.
Pile" that these abolons missiles are TO be treated IN
all respects just other petitions treated by Congress
This is all on that point that the aboons,s have
asked Grant them that point, and they have all
the engnery they want to keep up in its full force the
anti. slavery agitation in Congress. We have shown
that from the first the declared principle and policy OF
Gen Pierce has been receive their petitions withou,
reading them, referring them reporting upon Them and
then 10 lay them silently and forever the table By ,bis
means he would take from them the war-cry OF the
fright OF petition" and al the time efecually close
the door Of Congress upon their ncendary efforts agi-
ta,ion Cen Scott the other hand, by treating these
petitions like all Others throws the door of Congress
open widely to agitation the subject OF the abolition
OF slavery on The subject of The tariff
In connexion with this matter Of petitions, Gen Scott
the letter, speaks Of the power of Congress 10
abolish slavery (not the slave ade) in the Distrc, Of
Columbia. After affirming, just Mr.. Giddngs would
affirm. that the subject Of slavery in hs States il beyond
the jurisdiction OF Congress, Gen Scott goes on 10 say
- hold the opposite opinion in respect the District
Columbia. Here. with the consent OF the the
payment Of just compensation, Congress may legsae
It's discretion But my conviction Is equally strong that
unless IL be step by step with the legislatures Of Virginia
and Maryland would be dangerous both those
States to touch the between slave ia this
District
Here the full power of Congress slavery in the
District is affirmed All is said TO be in the discretion OF
Congress and contingency is named in which Con-
gress should put forth its powers Do the abolitionis
agators want any better bold than this their
didate whom they have forced the wing party, and
who must look 10 them as his political ceaiors2
But the General does not leave the subject here. in
the same letter he adds
"But persuaded that II is high moral obligation
Of and savehoding States employ all means
incompatible with the safety of both coors, to meorate
slavery, even to determination"
Here is fully expressed ga high moral obligation" to
erterminoe Slavery How far does this differ even in its
terms from the "bgber law" OF the who have now
organized the wing party and put General Scott in nomi-
nation 10 carry ont their purposes
Can there be any division among southern the
question Of rejecting and voting down candidate thus
committed win not bis election by southern aid be
confession hat the South is willing 10 the anti