Lynchburg Virginian

This gentleman, who was a short time since the special favorite of the Washington Union, after avowing his conversion to free trade principles, but who is more distinguished for the famous Proviso, to which he has given his name, recently delivered a speech to his constituents in Tioga county, Pennsylvania. We find no report of the discourse, except a brief notice and extract, in the Baltimore American, which we copy as follows:

Mr. Wilmot refers to Mr. Buchanan's late manifesto on the subject of new territory and the conditions of its admission into the Union, and denounces the attempt "to separate the doctrine of the extention of slavery over free territory from the democratic creed." A graphic sketch is given of the system of political tactics pursued by the southern portion of the party, so as to retain the formation and control of sides in their own hands; and in illustration of this, the rejection of Mr. Van Buren by the Baltimore convention is referred to. Mr. Wilmot's remarks on this point, which we fully indorse, are such as northern democrats frequently make, but, on occasions of action, as frequently forget. The reader will find in the concluding paragraph quoted below, some curious suggestions in a speculative way:

"I never could reflect upon the fact, without shame and mortification, that a great democratic statesman of the north, whom we had made the standard bearer and representative of our principles, should be struck down by the south, because he halted upon a question, in no way affecting the established and fixed principles of our creed. If northern men—northern democrats—will longer stand by in silence and see their best and ablest men immolated by the south, for not marching up to any and every issue they choose to make, then indeed is the northern democracy to be the adjunct and tool of the south.

Sir, I entertain no hostility to the south. I have been taught in her school; I have learned my political faith from the lessons of her great statesmen. Upon most of the great questions that have divided parties—particularly those affecting the powers of the General Government, and the rights of the States—I believe the south has been right. I claim to be a democrat of the Jefferson school —a States Rights Republican—a Strict Constructionist, after the most strait-laced sect. I revere the veto message of General Jackson, as a text book of party principle, while I repudiate the doctrines of the Proclamation.

But, sir, because the south has been eminently correct on most great questions, that gives to her no right to force new issues upon the party. If the south can succeed in making the 'extension of slavery over free territory' a party question, as she did the re-annexation of Texas, it will make something of a change in the party relations of men.

"If all who oppose this new test and touch stone of party and fidelity, are to be converted into whigs, certainly those who support it will be transformed into democrats. It is fortunate for Silas Wright, the noblest democrat of his age, that he died before this transformation had taken place with him. Henry Clay, after straying in search of strange gods for a quarter of a century, will return to the fold of the party. Under such a test he might become the candidate of the democratic party for President in 1848, and thus some men be caught in a trap they have set for others. I trust ever to be found standing firm upon my principles as a democrat. I value them, and have thus far maintained them through life; but I will adopt no such issue as that now attempted to be imposed upon the democracy of this State. I will submit to no such test. Let those receive the yoke who choose to wear it. It shall never gall my neck."