PREFATORY NOTE.

It is the aim of the following pages to show that two moral questions of great and vital importance are connected with this Presidential contest. With respect to these, a solemn duty is imposed upon every voter. To neglect or evade it would be a criminal abuse of a most sacred right. To shed light upon this duty four classes of facts are presented. The duty is rather suggested than argued, as an obligation, which, from the nature of these facts, inevitably follows. The old party issues are for the most part settled. A new one has arisen, appealing to new and higher motives than the old. It takes direct hold on the purity, if not the very existence, of our civil and religious freedom as a nation; it infinitely transcends them all. In the light then, first, of the late events in Europe, which have so deeply stirred our national sympathy; secondly, of the peculiar facts of our position as a model republic to all nations; thirdly, of the solemn and heartstirring facts connected with the legislation of the fathers and founders of this republic; and fourthly, of the bold and open fraud, the violent assumptions, connected with the late party contests of our country-in the converging and focal light of all these events, our imperative duty is suggested.

In the latter class of facts will be found an account of the late division in the Democratic party of this State, the origin of the terms by which the two parties are designated, and an authentic history of the five conventions by which the great Free Soil party of the North has been brought into existence. Several important papers and speeches have been omitted, because of the extent of space they would occupy. Among these are the very able address of the Democratic members of the Legislature, and a clear and searching speech of B. F. Butler, Esq., of N. Y., exposing the Compromise Bill of Mr. Clayton—the speech of an able and faithful officer of the Government, who knew his duty and feared not to do it-of one who could receive with entire calmness the shock of executive vengeance in his removal from office, as a grateful reward for his eminent talents and influence in elevating that Executive to the high office he now enjoys.

State organizations have been formed in all of the free, and in some of the slave states; and over nearly all the Union, free soil associations and the most enthusiastic meetings have extended. Even a brief outline of these would swell the work to an undue size. For this reason, the frank and highly honorable letter of the Hon. John P. Hale, withdrawing his name as the candidate of the Liberty Party, and supporting Van Buren, and Adams, has been omitted.

The brief history of this question in the 29th Congress, also, is covered but in part by the speech of the Hon. David Wilmot, at Herkimer.-New York, though not the first, was in the van of this great movement. Her able Senator, John A. Dix, in a most powerful free soil speech in the Senate, in March, 1847, on the "Three Million Bill," nearly two years ago, closed with these emphatic words :“But I say for her, (New-York,) and in her name, and I believe I do not misunderstand her resolutions, that she can never consent to become a party to the extension of slavery to free territory on this continent."

Many of the documents contained in these pages are among the ablest political papers which have come before the country since the formation of this government. They disclose the honesty, firmness and intelligence of those who have enlisted under the Free Soil banner, and that with the names of VAN BUREN and ADAMS inscribed on its ample folds, they are determined never to yield the contest till the victory is won.

NEW-YORK, Oct. 2, 1848.

Errata, p. 96. For CHARLES F. ADAMS. read HENRY DODGE.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

The years 1846-7 and '8 memorable-events in this country-treaties of govern-

ment since '46-their result. Revolutions in Europe-their extent and causes→→

reform in the British Parliament-the three leading questions:-corn laws, poor law,

and a system of national education-decisive result in reference to corn laws-re-

mote effect on the cause of freedom-moral effect of the Irish famine

7-10

Italy-events which subjected her to Austria-her position-area-population and as-

sociations condition prior to the ascension of Pope Pius IX.-Pius IX.-his

previous life-his reforms-the jealousy and encroachments of Austria-their effect

on national spirit in Italy-outbreaks-the Pope yields the civil power-its effect on

Church and State-the army-offensive and defensive league-her present relation

to Austria-intervention of higher powers

10-13

France-its extent-climate and associations-her constitutions since Louis XVI.—

Guizot and Louis Philip-charter of 1830-the policy of Guizot-harmony with

Louis Philip-attached to the doctrinaire party-attempt to prove the King's right

of suceession-his practice and theory-his influence in carrying the three laws of

1835-the nature of these laws-condition of things at the opening of the last Par-

liament-the prohibition of political banquets-the result-the nature and prospects

of the new republic

13-16

Revolution in Denmark-in Walachia-in Germany-its progress and result in Ger-

many-the nature of the new German confederacy-Arch Duke John-the result of

these revolutions-tendency in regard to civilization-new empires-boundaries of

nations-new Sclavonian empire

16-17

Two propositions in regard to the duty of America in the general cause of freedom-

her parent stock-her example-her debt of civilization-our federative system-

ancient systems;-Grecian-Italian of middle ages-modern European-their na-

ture and defects-the nature and superiority of ours-opinion of the elder Adams-

our responsibility and duty-the trial of our fidelity-decision at the ballot box-

extension and restriction of slavery-view and design of our fathers in regard to sla-

very-our treatment-the nature of the question-two great moral points in the

crisis-two classes of facts-their nature

17-21

CHAPTER II.

The position of our fathers in regard to slavery and its extension-the character of the

early emigrants-compact of the Plymouth colony in 1620-spirit of the compact-

by whom inherited-the patriots of that day-the conduct of British Parliament

through a century and a half-its acts-the first Congress of America in 1774-

who composed this body-their compact of non-importation and non-consumption—

its bearing on slavery—the declaration of independence-by whom drawn-charge

against the King of Great Britain-bearing of declaration on slavery-eight years'

war-treaty of peace-the men of the Congress of 1774-debt of the country-

condition of its finances-Congress recommend a cession of territory-object-com-

pliance by Virginia-conditions-who executes the deed-government required—

Jefferson drafts an ordinance-prohibition of slavery after 1800-the yeas and nays

on this clause--who supported it. The Congress of 1787-committee which framed

the ordinance of 1787-unanimous passage-its provisions-the yeas and nays-

states absent-who of this Congress were acting in the Convention to frame a Consti-

tion-all sanctioned the ordinance-Convention to frame the Constitution-character

of this body-who were in it-the method of procedure-committee of detail-the

draft-how discussed-4th section 7th article protected slavery-motions to amend

it-slavery finally prohibited and taxed-first Congress under the Constitution sanc-

tions the ordinance of 1787-how many members of the Convention approved it in

different forms of official action-further sanction on the admission of States into the

Union-the love of justice in our forefathers their aim in regard to slavery-sim-

plicity and modesty of Washington-his sense of justice-his address to Congress on

assuming the command of the army-his opinion of slavery-the question of aboli-

tion waived-a higher issue-the concession of our fathers-their aim 21-37

Manhood of America compared with its infancy-John C. Calhoun-his influence over

the South-his policy-his character-his position dangerous to freedom-the

Spartans, his model-his demand of the North-his policy while Secretary of State

-his letter to Mr. King, Minister to France-extract-the ground of his demand

now-war with Mexico-concession of the North, how required-opinion of an

able writer of the moral aspect of Mr. Calhoun's position-extract-position of

General Cass-his Nicholson letter-extracts the reasoning of that letter-its ob-

ject-degeneracy of statesmen-importance of the issue-uprising of the people—

position of Calhoun and Cass accounted for-the result-the three classes of facts

presented our duty-how viewed

CHAPTER III.

37-45

Origin of the terms Hunker and Barnburner-causes of the late division in the party—

position of Silas Wright, A. C. Flagg and others the election of James K. Polk,

how secured-plot of Mr. Wright's enemies-Mr. Polk's administration—its ingrati-

tude to New York-the course of the Hunker party-determination-fraudulent

action of Syracuse Convention-opinion of the press-Herkimer Mass Convention

-address by John Van Buren-resolutions-speeches of David Wilmot and John

Van Buren
45-72

CHAPTER IV.

Call for Utica Convention of February, 48, to nominate delegates-usages of the party-

history of the doings of the Syracuse Convention-origin of the Hunker and Barn-

burner delegation-Utica Convention of February, '48-able address by John Van

Buren-resolutions-extract from speech of Geo. Rathbun on Gen. Cass. 72-96

CHAPTER V.

Baltimore Convention-conspiracy defeated-both sets of delegates admitted—vote of

New-York annulled-Barnburners retire-address to their constituents-conven-

tion called to nominate for the Presidency-Convention at Utica, June, '48-Martin

Van Buren nominated by acclamation—his able letter-General Jackson's view of

his defeat in 1844-resolutions-address by Mr. Butler
96-137

CHAPTER VI.

Buffalo Convention-calls which led to it. First day :-Organization-sublime, spec-

tacle-speeches-appointment of committee on resolutions-of four hundred and

sixty-six conferees to select candidates. Second day :-speeches-report of Platform

-speeches-report of conferees, of Martin Van Buren and Charles Francis Adams, as

candidates-account of meeting of conferees-speeches-letter of Mr. Van Buren

read-adjournment and procession formed-letter of the committee to Van Buren—

his frank and able reply-reply of Charles Francis Adams
137-150

History of free soil question, during the last or 30th Congress character of speeches by

Senator Dix-speech of Senator Dix on the Oregon bill-synopsis of his speeeh on

the Compromise bill-speech of Mr. Webster on the Compromise bill-the two

moral questions-connection with the issue-results to which they tend the three

Presidential candidates-true position of Cass-position of Taylor-position and

character of Van Buren

151-176

CHAPTER I.

LATE FOREIGN EVENTS-OUR CONFEDERACY-THE PRESENT CRISISTWO MORAL POINTS INVOLVED-MORAL POINTS, HOW VIEWED.

THE years '46, '7 and '8 have already become memorable in history. Into this period, in rapid succession, have been crowded events of momentous importance to the human race. In our own country, beloved and cherished above all others for her free institutions and her liberty, Congress has passed many organic and important laws for the common welfare. Since the opening of '46, it has ratified no less than twelve treaties with foreign powers. By one, it has settled that long vexed and harassing question of our western boundary beyond the Rocky Mountains; by another, it has established peace and perpetual friendship with a leading nation of the world, and opened to our commerce five most valuable ports of its empire; by others, it has given us reciprocity and equality with nations to which our commerce is rapidly extending, and last, and not least, by another still, it has added a vast territory to our limits, equivalent to 14 of the Empire State, and which more than any or all of these compacts, is to effect the future destiny of our republic. For a distance of nearly 700 miles north and south, and nearly 1000 east and west, from the Rio Grande and the Anahuac mountains on the east, the Gulf of California on the south, and Oregon on the north, it extends our empire to the shores of the Pacific, making 650,000 square miles, and 452 millions of acres. Within this is found the maritime valley of California, more than 500 miles long and 150 broad-the Italy of America in climate and skythe region of the vine and olive, and rich beyond many other parts of the earth for all the grains of our Atlantic coast. diamond, on its bosom rests the bay of Francisco, adequate to the navies of the world. But a short pathway will lead its ships to the Eastern Empire. Here the tide of civilization is to extend, and this valley, the broader interior and the banks of the Rio Grande, are by this compact to be peopled with myriads of freemen, or with millions of slaves. In the lines of this issue have fallen many gallant and noble spirits. It has cost treasure and blood,-seventy-five millions and twenty thousand men. These are some of the events which have passed before us fraught with the deepest interests of humanity, and of a magnitude to form an era in our history. '

* The Executive makes and the Senate ratifies treaties.

As a