The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-06-06
VOLUME xII.-NUMBER %.

other important considerations, this Stat
will firmly oppose the introduction OF sla
yery into any Territory acquired as On In
demnity for claims upon Mexico.
Resolved, That II 6 the duty Of Congress
TO prevent, by the exercise Of all constitu
tional power, the extension Of slavery int
territory of the United States now free.
Resolved, That our Senator's in Congress
are hereby instructed, and our Representa-
tiyes requested, to support and carry out thu
principles Of the foregoing resolutions"
June %, ls49, the Democratic party in
Maine held State convention, at which
Hon. John Hubbard was nominated for
Governor. This convention was composed
of six hundred delegates, at which the fol.
lowing resolutions were passed-only one
solitary member voting against them
"Resolved, That the institution Of human
slavery Is ut variance with the theory Of our
Government, abhorrent to tho common SEN
timcnt OF mankind, and iraught with dan
ger to all who come within the sphere Of its
influence; that the Federal Government pos
sesses adequate power to inhibit Its existence
in the Territories Of the Union; that the
constitutionality Of this power has been
settled by judicial construction, by cotempo-
raneous exposition, and by repeated acts OF
legislation and that We cnjoln upon our Sem
ators and Representatives in Congress to
make every e1ertion, and employ oil their
influence, to procure the passage of law
forever excluding slavery from the Territor.
les of California and New Mexico.
"Resolycd, That while we cheerfully con-
cede to our Southern brethren the right, on
oil occasions, to speak and act with entire
freedom on questions connected with slavery
in the Territories, we claim the exercise of
the same right for ourselves; and any at
tempt, from any quarter, to stigmatize us or
our Representatives for advocating or defend
ing the opinions Of our people upon this sub
ject, will DO repelled as an unwarrantable
net of aggression upon the rights of the citi-
zens of this State"
At this convention committee, Of which
Col. Ephraim X. Smart was chairman, was
raised to report an address to the people,
from which address read the following ex-
tract
"The Whig party of this State will un-
present candidate in opposition
to him Hubbard who will bc a swift ad-
vocate OF anti-slavery principles but he will,
ut the same time, necessarily feel himself un-
der greater obligations to give aid and COM
fort to President Taylor and Cabinet hos
tile to the inhibited OF slavery in our Terri
tories. A Governor with such associates
would utterly fail to exact any moral iniln-
cnce in favor of freedom in the Territories -
The anti slavery professions of one, we are
sure, who is bound to do the bidding Of the
present Cabinet ut Washington, will be TAX
en- at their true value. The people have be-
come Justly jealous Of those who make such
and ut the same time cling to
the great central power ut the Capitol, and,
for favor there, even submit to the sacrifice
of principles. In the present temper Of the
times 1t will be very difficult for such to OBJ
tain power"
And who is Colonel Smart! Answer
Collector of Belfast, Maine, appointed By
President Pierce, while he is now publishing
q newspaper called the " Free Press" puff
ing the President to the skies, advocating
the reelection of General Pierce with zeal
and fanaticism which throws every other
Democrat in Maine far into the shade.
Gov. Hubbard, after his nomination, was
written to by some of his political friends AZ
to disposition, and made the following re-
ply
HALL0wELL, July Il, lS49.
Gentlemen Yours of the 10Th, requesting
q +" statement Of my views in relation to the
extension of slavery into the Territories OF
the United States now Free" is before me-
The question in all its practical bearings, Us
a subject of deliberative and solemn legisla-
ton Is an extensive one. | can only give
here brief statement of the principles which
would guide my action upon it.
First. believe Congress to have entire,
jurisdiction over the whole
subject Of slavery in the Territories of the
United States.
Serond. l am opposed to slavery in oil
its bear.n .ngs, moral, social and political, and
especially am | opposed to its extension
Third. would adopt oil constitutional
and equitable means to prevent the extension
of Slavery into Territories now free.
Hoping gentlemen, that this brief expose
will meet your views; 1 am with sentiments
Of respect and regard, yours, '
Messrs. Adams Treat, Thomas NJ. Morrow,
William Merriam, Arthur Treat, jesse
Smart, John HVdgdon,P ,P. Slmonton, u. n.
White, Nathan Worthlng. Daniel Went
worth, Joseph Batchclder, Daniel Smith
In 1854 the Legislature Of Maine being
in session at the time the Kansas-Nebraska
bill was pending before Congress - passed
the following resolutions, with but six nays
in the House, and only one in the Senate
Resolved, That the Senators in Con.
gress from Maine be instructed, and the
requested to oppose in every
practicable way the passage Of the Nebraska
bill, 10 called, 10 long rs il shall contain any
provision repeating, abrogating, resembling,
or In any way invalidating the provision OF
the act Of Congress approved March 6, 1890,
commonly called the Missouri Compromise.
Resolved, That the Governor be re-
quested to forward copy of the above reso-
luton to each Of our Senator's and Represen-
atiyes at Washington.
Among those who voted for these resolves,
were Hon. n. S. Littlefeld, q leading Demo.
cnt in my State, and for four years mem
Der Of Congress, and president Of the las,
Democratic State Convention in Maine, held
in June last. and Hon. Lot NJ. Morrill,, an.
other leader of the party, who was the Dem
ocratic candidate for the United States SEN
ate in opposition to Hon. VIM. p. Fc~end.
en-, and is now president Of the Senate in
Maine.
During the congressional canvass in my
district, in 1854, and few days before cleo
ton, my competitor for Congress, Hon
William X. Kimball, came out in letter