The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1836-04-08
Opinions Of the Press,
on
MR.. VAN BUREN'S LETTER.
From the Richmond Mlie.

with abolition opinions, for il was evident, from
that letter, that he believed the Constitution con.
ierred on Congress the power of aboishing slavery
IN the District-precisely the most dangerous o.
pinion that can be held-lor triumphant there, the
Abotlonsts would Immediately assa Maryland
and Virginia-whereas were they in the first
place, TO assert the power OF Congress over Slave
ry in the States, the manifest pervorsion of tho
Constitution, would enlist all agains, them.
Thus have we charged Mr. Van Buren,, Little
did we expect that he himself, under his own sig
nature, would Justify our inference and confirm
our truth Cunning his leading Characteristic;
mon committal" his favollte policy, we little i'm
agined that whip cords could draw him into an
open confession of a principle so dangerous TO the
South, whose vote he was anxousy wooing But
his position was critical. His hope and reliance
on the North. 1t will not do to offend New
York and New England They are almost u
unanimous in favor of the power Of Congress TO abol-
lsh in the District, and of immediate abolition
there Hence the wary schemer has beca forced
to the confessional! Silence would have lost him
The Northern Region The appearance Of randor,
may yet save to him the South Such his calcu-
latlon.
But what can be thought of his managers at
Richmond, who publish his letter. except that
SAtm htuS CHEt ptIutIe' lFluS utHtCHtOt' MY
are obviously fate stricken They have themselves
fixed the doom of Van Burenism in the South -
That South for safety, for life, can and will have,
no Abolition President TO rule over them, ii they
can help it.
81 owe it how ever (says NJ. Van Buren, 70 can
dor, TO say to you, that have not been abe 10 sat-
isy myself that the grant to Congress in the Con-
stution, of the power of "e1clusre Legislation in
all cases whatsoever" ever the Federal District,
does not confer on that body the same authority
that would have been passed by Maryland and
Virginia"
That is to say, Maryland and Virginia could
have abolished, had they not ceded the District.
Ergo, Congress can also, The opinion is not
merely dangerous, but eulbodes the genius Of
Federalism.
Enough People of the South Read the let
ter Heed not the smoottReSS-eyamiue the sem
tiHeut BE not wheedled BY sweet words, and
soft phrases.
On subsequent occasion, after commenting
upon the view of Mr.. Van Buren's Letter, taken
by the Richmond Enquirer the Wing says:]
Turn We for moment 10 Mr. Van Buren,.
Does his puppet pretend to deny that he avowed
the belief that Congress possesses the power OF a.
DJIlll)Il III lIG DlsllCL 4NO--OUl Ie CI9OeGS tp
place reliance, or affects 10 place it, on the protes-
atons OF his iavorite, that he would never consent
TO the exercise of the power! 1t is the said pup
pets interest to receive all his barney and fun
merry as inspired truth and he is inconsed that toe
see through the shallow eectioneering, the inter-
ested and crawling supplcaon for the vote of Viz
ginla, which the whole history of the man proves
would be violated the moment it became his inter.
pSt spd ref IN tho smallest credit What -
it worth. Did he not betray Dewitt Clinton with
kiss. Did he not profess determined opposi-
ton to the Tariff of ISIS, in order TO ingratiate
himself with the South, and then secretly procure
instructions to be got up in the New York Legis-
lature, requiring him to vote for that same Tariff
Did he not support Dewitt Clinton as the Peace
Candidate in lel2, and denounce MIR. Madison; but
upon his reelection, become a supporter of the
war Did he not in 1925, offer his services to
Mr. Adams, the condition being the mission to
England, and, his overture rejected, did he not
forthwith become a violent Jackson man This
being his history-hls whole political life a mere
game tor office and overwhelming, IN turn,
every patron, every principle; aud every party
we are now required 10 believe his whining pro-
LESSONS in regard 10 slavery In the District Why
should they be believed Are they not mere cleo
toneerlng professions, and do they not emanate
from Martin Van Buren, Suppose him President
suppose the Abotionists 10 increase in power
and lniuenCe-suppose concentration OF New
England New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, in
favor Of Abolition in the District, and the question
carried by the conlunction-miA Thomas Richie,
haze the fool hardy assurance 10 say that Mr.. Van
Buren, tooutd regard for moment The protestations
and professions of his elect0neerng letter? Would
he sacrifice himself and the prospect of being e.
lected to q second term? Would he offend his
own State, and great majority, to keep faith with
old Virginia, shorn OF her strength, and much of
her responsibility None can believe it. The
little magician would say, with nonchalance, and
a security that he making and not loosine by
it" When | wrote that letter, | was agaiest me
eIpedeRcy | then claimed the power. Ii is nop,
altogether erpsdleHt, that the will of the ma ority
should prevail"
1t would be folly, the extremity Of rashncss and
in the South, 10 trust to professions in
such case--to professions emanating from one,
whose public life is full Of chicanery and tergi-
versaion-to the professions of a candidate for the
Presidency, evidently seeking to get votes. Van
Buren, will nersr sacrifice himself for Virginia.
Let Virginia beware the folly of sacrificing her
self for man, hostile by his position, by his prn-
oiples as conveyed in his public acts, to her dear
7s' ieeNs' LII Ills HiihioiIs prove ohe Sf"S'c
'ase, involving great principles, throughout his
public life, in which he did not display bis hostili
y By his acts. These, howeycr,-his uoteS, his
people asked to disregard altogether,
and rely on his promises and professions. Thus
the wolf invadcs the sheeptod-in peaceful guise,
and with fair demonstrations.
From tie LgnehbHrg Tircinian.
Mr.. Van Buren, has at length committed himself.
He comes ont with a decided expression OF his O.
linion that the constitution coniors upon Congress
he right, If that body deem it expcdient to exer-
Use it, to conscate the Slave property of the Dis
riot of Columbia, and TO wave the flag of negro