The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-07-08


nominees had been chosen, first, with view
to command the largest possible vote second
ly. with view to the defeat of the Democratic
ticket, deemed the more dangerous to freedom,
On account of the platform it represented the
agencies which brought it out and the peculiar
views and position Of the candidates. We do
not say that the latter view influenced all the
members Of the party, but it certainly was
leading motive with the radical Democrats, who
constituted a large proportion Of it. They did
not suppose that, in seeking the defeat 81 Cen
eral Cas- specially, they Were CONTRASTING the
ruin of the Democratic party, but they held
that the party, having placed itself in Il false
position, ought to be defeated 80 that it might
he induced to emanci pate itself from Pro-
Slavery thraldom and still further, that the
cause of Freedom had less to apprehend from
the success of General Taylor than of General
Cass Meantime, the whole organization felt
that IA large vote for Freedom, even though
not enough to carry the electoral ticket OF II
single State, would exert restraining intfu-
ence on the new Administration, whether 1t
should be Wing or Democratic. which would
hesitate before it would venture hagrantly to
DEFY a Public Sentiment 50 powerful at the
North. as. on the eve of Il Presidential cleo
ton. with all its political prizes in prospect 10
drive from the ranks of the old parties some
three or four hundred thousand voters.
November came-Mlartin Van Buren, re-
ceived three hundred thousand notes.-the
Democratic party, with its avowed pro-slayery
policy was Northumberland Taylor was
elected
Now. we claim, without hesitation or doubt,
that the policy of the Buffalo movement was
not only sound in its principles. constitutional
in its scope, wise in its details, but that it was
most beneficent in its results. Had there
been no such movement the probability is
that General Cass would have been elect
ed and, in that case, California would have
been placed under Territorial Government
without the Proviso, just as New Mexico and
Utah are now, but with this difference, that
Slavery would have taken possession of its soil
and founded new empire on the shores OF
the Pacific New Mexico would have been
swallowed up by Texas and the conspiracy
for the ACQUISITION of Cuba would have met
with no such obstacles as the Administration,
first of General Taylor, and then OF his sue
cessor, interpO-cd Or had General Cass failed,
his competitor would have come into the Exec
Tr,,,, tb.s Of
demonstrate" of political anti-slayery power
at the .,orth teaching him moderation and
caution and then he would have had no mo-
tive u favor the organization of state Govern
dred Thousand voters for the Wilmot Proyiso. il
was the strength infused by their organization
into the antl-sayery wing Of the Wing party
it was the notorious fact that these voters would
be Joined by numerous deserters from the old
parties should sufficient provocation be given,
that made it necessary for Gen. Taylor's Ad-
ninstratiOn whatever ght have been its pol
cy under other circumstances to evadc direct
ssne with Northern Sentiment, by encouraging
he formation of State Governments in Caliior-
Tia, New Mexico, and Utah-and that, too, at {
time when crowds Of emigrants from the free
states imbued with anti-slavery sentiments {
ND settled in their convictions that the North 4
would never consent to receive California as
rec State, were rapidly filling it up, The
rand result of this combination of influences
vas the organization and admission of the
Whole of California ~ "A non-slaveholding State,
nd the perpetual exclusion of Slavery las we
till hope, understanding the desperate strug
,Ic of the slavery propagandists) from the
hores Of the Pacific. Another fact must not
d. Texas would have devoured New Mexico,
or the Democratic party through Mr. Polk,
rad been committed in support of its claim.
General Taylor and his Secretary of State,
MIR. Clayton, were committed against it, and
we all know the determined front he assumed
when he declared that New Mexico was under
the protection of the United States Had he
lived, Texas would have been banled without
being appeased by Il bonus of ten millions.
Could we forcsee his death As it was, New
Mexico ,cGs saved after all, Though by the ex-
tortion of money in liquidation of groundless
claim and if she does not remain Free it will
not be because the Free Soil organization did
not do all that could be done
And are we to regret n movement which
has contributed so largely to results 80 vast
vital and enduring!
That it has not achieved still greater results,
il to be attributed not to any want of princ-
Pile in its platform or wisdom in its policy but
to two distinct causes
The fact that the controversy respecting its
immediate object-the freedom Of the Terrific
lost much of its importance from the
of the most valuable of them into
a free State. and from the absence of any I'M
minent danger. in the opinion of the People
generally of the introduction of slavery into
the rest of them 1--WE believe they are over
confident but still this is the general senti-
ment
And the fact that the Barnburners or radical
Democrats of New York after absorbing the
great mass of the anti-slayery voters of that
State, so far forget their pledges given at the
Buffalo Convention" to seek the divorce of
slavery from the Federal Government AS to
reunte with their former Hunker associates,
upon bunker platform, in utter disregard
aud derogation of that great object This was
a amentable error and in violation Of princi-
pie. Many of them now admit it. but plead
that it is too late to remedy the mischief Had
the radical Democracy stood firmly by the
principles (which they deliberately proclaimed
at Buffalo, in 1913 and solemnly pledged
themselves to maintain) they would in time