Motive For Acquiring Territory. The Wilmot Proviso.

A meeting in Charleston, S. C, declared it would be dis- honorable and debasing to submit to the prohibition of slaver}'', " beyond what is already yielded by the Missouri- compromise.^' But it was not enough to threaten the North with a dissolution of the union, and with civil war. These are evils which, when they occur, will not fall exclusively upon the people 'of the free States. It was thought ad- ^^sable to threaten the politicians of the North with the loss of political power and emolument—a menace far more influential than any other. A Presidential election was approaching, and northern aspirants were warned that no opponent to the extension of slavery should receive the votes of the South. A similar warning had secured the annexation -of Texas, and the election of Mr. Polk. The Legislature of Georgia " Resolved, that the people of Georgia, at the ensuing Presidential election, should not and will not support any man for the Presidency or Vice-Presidency, toho favors the principle of the Wihnot proviso.''^ The determination thus officially announced, was reiterated by various meetings and on