The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1836-04-08

picking position. The state Of feeling at the North
demanded concession Of the power to abolish
slavery In the District Of Columba-while Sontb.
ern sentiment required at least the warmest pro.
testatlons OF regard TO them, and against the e.
PedieHey OF exercising IT, Mr.. Van Buren has gi.
ven both the one and the other. And vel. while
the same thing has been done over AID over again
oy almost every leading politician in active life,
from the same section, and by most of the anti alb
olitlon meetings at the North, Mr.. Van Buren's
letter Is heralded pompously through the South
as carrying with It new and iuster views We
ought TO have lived long enough to place its pro-
per estimate on that flattery which may be derived
rom source so interested in pleasing. Aud were
II even sincere (Which we will most readily grant
II can never be equal as security" to an opinion
which denies that Congress have any power over
The subject of slavery either in the States or in the
District Of Columbia. And as if to give South.
ern men new motives to his support, Judge White,
on this subject as on every other, is found to be
wholly with us. His past history affords every
reason for the belief that, under his admnstra.
ton, our great Southern interests will be truly
safe while his present opinions, openly ayow.
cd, make that assurance doubly sure.
Between the two individuals, then, can South.
ern man hesitate to which he can give his sup
port, with the best grounded prospect of promo
ting his prosperity and happiness and the perpe-
tuty Of his country's institutions Let the hon.
est independent and rejecting citizens of the
South, answer.
OF Judge White on Abolition in the
Dlstriei.-upon the appearance of the recent let
ter from Mr.. Van Buren,, on the subject of Abo-
tion in the District of Columbia, some Wing
gentlemen in Richmond, being fully aware that
The object Of that letter was intended TO operate on
the Virginia Elections, thought proper 10 address
communication to Judge White, eIicting his O.
pnions on the same subject in order that the be-
Iiet OF the two most prominent men now before
the southern People for the Presidency, on this 10
most vital subject, might be placed side by side.
Col John b. ID. Smith accordingly addressed the
Judge on the subject, asking him whether he be-.
eyed that Congress has the power 10 abolish slave,
~ ia the District of Columbia and also whether.
II elected 10 the Presidency he would veto any
bill which might be passed by Congress interfering
with the right of property claimed by the slave.
holdets in the District The following IS the
judges reply. 1t is in every respect frank,
manly" and to the point, without evasion or cir
cumlocu,ion Let the People compare IT with the
Josultica double-meanng letter of the hinderhOok
Magician, and draw their own conclusions to
whose Administration will be most likely to in
sure safety 10 Southern interests"
WASHINGTON, March II, 1886.
Dear Sir ! have this moment received your ia
yor, under date Of the ljth instant. In answer TO
the question pu; to me, | say do not believe
Congress has the poicer 10 abolish slavery IN the
District Of Columbia, aud il that body did possess
the power, think the exercise Of 1t would be the
yery ,eorst Of policy
Holding these opinions, would act upon them
IN any situation in which ! could be placed, and
for both reasons would, If called on to act With
hold my assent 10 any bill having IN view such an
object
take the liberty Of forwarding to you pam
phlet containing my sentiments on this subject
And am, most respectfully,
Your obt servant,