Burlington Free Press

"UNION OF THE WHIGS. FOR THE SAKE OF THE UNION."

Never was there a time when this gallant and patriotic sentiment might with more force be adopted by the Whig party, and never, we believe, was there a time when it was more warmly cherished. The Whigs are not the men to be dismayed at a defeat - and although they are temporarily overthrown, by a gigantic system of fraud and falsehood, and are mourning at the calamity which has befallen the country; still, when the time shall come for their further action upon the measures pursued by government, they will be found with their armor on, ready and obedient to the call of duty. They are for a season depressed - grieved at the defeat of a great statesman, who was, and is, and will be the eloquent champion of their policy - but still more grieved at the blow which has been stricken upon our national prosperity. But, when the new administration shall have made itself felt upon the public interests - when the people shall find that its policy is at war with their highest honor and success, they will be ready to come back again to wholesome counsels, and to sustain the system which experience will teach them is conducive to the glory and strength of the nation.

We will not imitate the example of our opponents, who, after their defeat in 1840, reproached the sovereign people with the bitterest abuse, accusing them of rioting and drunkenness, and bestowing upon them the vilest epithets. That is a kind of warfare which the Loco-focos alone know how to follow. What we do say, is that the people have been swindled - cheated out of the election by the most stupendous system of falsehood which was ever practised upon freemen. Libels have been manufactured upon the Whig candidate, by the myriad; fraud has been perpetrated unsparingly and blushingly upon the ignorant portions of the people, the real principles of Loco-focoism have been concealed, and its candidate been held up before the people as a tolerable good protective man. They who practised that fraud upon the popular credulity, have much to answer for, to the indignation of that people, when they shall be aroused from the delusion into which they have fallen, on that subject. The real truth of the matter will soon be brought to light. The depression which is sure to come upon the business interests of the country will lead the people to inquire after its causes. They will be found in the want of confidence in the national administration, the apprehension of a destruction of the Protective policy, quarrels with other powers, the aversion against paying the debt of a foreign State, and the strong sentiment in the public mind against the maintenance of the institution of slavery - that worst of human curses - that curse which is perpetuated in this nation, to the latest times, if Texas, in its present condition, be annexed to our territory. These things will shake the confidence of the people in their government. And they will return to that system of measures under which, alone, this nation can flourish, and go on to lasting greatness and renown.

Meantime, let the Whigs maintain their excellent and efficient organization. Let them stand fast in their well-defined principles. The name of Whig is a good name and honored on the brightest pages of our country's history. Their principles are good principles, and they will yet be firmly established on a foundation which faction and demagoguism cannot overthrow or shake. Let them go on, in a clear and firm confidence in the rectitude of their principles. Form no entangling alliances with projects which stand upon a narrow basis. With our banners still floating, and our courage still high, let us be in readiness to meet the enemy on another field, and thus meeting him, to gain a glorious victory. "Union of the Whigs for the sake of the Union." - Conn. Courant.