The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-08-16

proyiso was introduced into congress by
David Wilmot, Democrat of the school
of Silas Wright. The cardinal doctrine of
the proviso was the perpetual prohibition
of human slavery within any territory
which we might acquire from Mexico as one
of the results of its war. In no other state
did the controversy over this subject rage
with so much vehemence as in New York. |
1t was made test question among the
Democrats and it split the party in two
right 10 the middle Foremost OF the
Free Soil side were Silas Wright, John A.
Dix, Preston King, James S. Wadsworth,
John Van Buren,. and Samuel j. Tilden.
Sias Wright died in the midst of the
conflict, the proviso was defeated in con-
gress, and Gen. Cass, who had opposed
the proviso, was nominated as the Demo-
cratic candidate for president in the early
summer of lS4S. The New York Barn
burners revolte1; and in August of that
year, In conjunction with the Free Sellers
from other states, they held the famous
Buffalo convention. This convention
adopted The most uncompromising resolu-
tons against the extension Of slavery, and
nominated Martin Van Buren, for presi-
dent, and Chas Francis Adams for vice
president, Mr.. Tilden was member of
the convention and cordially approved its
proceedings. Subsequently, in the same
year, the Free Soil party nominated Gen.
Dix for governor; and Tilden took an ac-
i've share in the campaign in favor of
Van Buren,, Adams and Dix.
When the Republican party was formed
in this state. a portion of the Barnburners
joined it, and the rest remained with the
regular Democracy. Among the latter
we're Gen. Dix, and Samuel j. Tilden.
During the six bitter years before the war
!, Tilden adhered rather more closely to the
Free Soil doctrines of the Buffalo platform
, thar Dix, who became a member of
, Buchanan's cabinet and consorted with
Daniel s. Dickinson and Lyman
Treamain while they, on the very eve of
!, the outbreak, were uttering sentiments
which excused, if they did not justify, the
rebellion. This was an epoch of sudden
changes; and Dix, Dickinson, and Tremaiu
|, soon went over to the triumphant Repub-
, licans, who received them with plaudits,
and crowned them with honors and emolu-
! tons. But Tilden kept the even tenor OF
his way through the war, always sustaining
? the regular Democratic organization, firmly
t adhering to the Union cause and spend
, ing money in fitting out soldiers and wher
: the issue finally came between the separa-
{ ton of the states and the overthrow OF
slavery, he said: Let slavery perish!
Those who had watched Samuel j. Til
e den's course on these questians, and haC
D known his opinions during the previous
thirty years, were not surprised when theJ
read this emphatic and eloquent passage
e 10 his first message to the legislature a.
governor ofNew York
THE adoption of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth AM
Q Fifteenth amendments TO the Federal constitution
closed one great era in our politics II marked tn
END forever OF the system OF Aun. Slavery Dad o
e the struggles that grow ON OF that system Ties
, amendments have been conclusively adopted, an
" they have been accepted in good faith by all polit
J. cal organizations and the people of ell sections
n They close the chapter; they and must be final
: all parties hereafter must accept aud stand upol
y them; and hencefOrth our politics to turn upo
K questions of the present and the future, and nc
% upon those of the settled and final past The noble
~ motives OF humanity concur with our interests il
T making us hail. with heartfelt congratulations,
d real and durable peace between populations un
naturally estranged. The time ripe to discard al
< memories of buried strifes, except a warnin
t against thei- renewal, and to join all together L
II build anew the solid foundations OF American sell
~ government
81 If Samuel j. Tilden shall be elected t
i the presidency, his administration will b
70 guided on this subject by the sentiment
: Of his message. He will protect all classe
l. in the south and will compel both white
-, and blacks to obey the laws. But Will
= ready to employ the military arm, if nee
Il be, to indicate the right of the colore
population to vote as they please, he wi
,, not use the army to drive white citizeu
=, from the polls, while carpet baggers an
10 adventures carry the elections by frau
10 and violence, and then plumber the recol
80 structed states by means of corrupt an
- unjust legislation.-M y SIN.