Press enter after choosing selection

Necessity Of Union

Necessity Of Union image
Parent Issue
Day
21
Month
April
Year
1848
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

The following resolutions were adopted at a meeting of the citizens of Sunderland, Massachusetts, without distinction of party: "Resolved, That the time has come when every freeman, who prefers his country to his party, will act independently of party dictation, and fearlessly proclaim to those in power, and to candidates tor promotion, the principles which should rule in the councils of the nation. "Resolved, That every elector, legislator, and executive officer, aiding in or assenting to any acquisition of territory for the purpose of extending or strengthening the institution of slavery, is worthy the everlasting contempt of freemen, and should be branded as a traitor to the best interests of his country, and an enemy to republican institutions. "Resolved, That the Hon. John G. Palfrey, in a long course of public services, has proved himself capable and honest; that, by adopting and publicly advocating the principles of the Wilmot Proviso, he has shown himself humane and patriotic; and that, by his conduct at Washington at the recent election of a Speaker of the House of Representatives, he has declared himself independent of party dictation." In the course of some comments on the foregoing, the Boston Whig says: "If now we are asked to enter into some compromise with regard to the extension of slavery - to support General Taylor, for instance, as the "least of two evils" - our answer is prompt. The question at issue is above compromise. We cannot compromise Freedom, Justice, Humanity. Whatever others may do, our purpose is fixed. We can support no man for the Presidency or Vice Presidency, who is not known to be opposed to the extension of slavery." And is not this the only consistent course for all who are honestly opposed lo slavery? There are many who use the Anti-Slavery sentiment of the country merely as a political instrument, disregarding the important principles at stake, and anxious only to secure some selfish success. Such persons will naturally abandon their professions and pledges at the first summons of party. "Expediency" and " availability" will be their watchwords; principles will be renounced for the sake of men. "The only union we desire is founded upon principle. Such a union seems to have been contemplated by the meeting at Sunderland. We trust that those who are unwilling to be swept away from the support of those truths which they have thus far held sacred will cultivate a similar union. All the honest earnest opponents of slavery, of all parties, must now unite." Major S. Borland has been appointed Senator from Arkansas, in place of Col. Sevier, gone to Mexico to negotiate a treaty.