State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-05-10

The following article from the leading
jackson press in Virginia shows how MIR
Van Buren's slavish letter takes with the
slaveholding nabobs of the South. 'This
letter is just the thing say they. IIazza
for VAN BUREN, AND SLAVERY!
From The Richmond Enquirer.
Mn VAN buren, NO ABOLITIONIST.
We lay this morning before our readers
the following frank, manly, mastery letter
of Mr. Van Buren, on the subject of abUli-
tiOnism.
There is some reason TO suspect that the
letter from North Carolina was intended to
embarrass hinl--as Jackson was the scene
of tho famous Mangurn and Leigh letter.
But he has not hesituted to meet their
question fairly, openly and above board.
And to the circumstance OF Il similar lnqul
ry being addressed to him by the delegate
from Brunswick, and a { lend of the adj
ministrntion, we are indebted for the peas
urc of laying this Interesting corrcspon-
dence before the public.
Mr. Van Buren, explicitly admits that he
CONSTITUTES the general clause in the cUnSti-
tuition as comforting on Congress the same
authority in the Federal District over HE
subject that would otherwise have been
possessed by the States of Maryland and
Virginia-thruwlng upon them, AS we con-
tend, the duty o. paying fr every slave that
should be touched. BIT willie he fan,Iv
admits such "A power, he prot SIS, in the
most solemn manner, against the Slightest
exercise Of it,, "dgdinSt the UiShcS Of the
SlarehoLiing StatcS."
lie contends that no such power ought
to have been given-t that the exemption as
to slavery is Il CdSuS OniSsuS in the COnstitu-
lion. He believes that If such case ms the
present could have been lorsecn ut the for
nation of that instrument, it would have
been made al exception to Unrestricted leg
islatvc power-mIreoyer that it is Il sur
prise upon the States Of Maryland and
Virginia-that if such case rs the present
could have been tOrscen at the time Of the
ceSsion, positive RESTRICT N would have
been laid upon Congress, against any at
tempt TO exercise any such power.
Mr. Van Buren, holds, rs Il necessary con-
sequence, that the abolition of slaves in the
District, against the wishes of the savelol-
ding States, would destroy at once that
compromise of interests, Which lies nj the
basis Of our social compact He therefore
declares it 10 be his clear and settled opin-
ion, that it is the sacred duty of those who
are entrusted with the control of the action
of the Federal Government, TO use their
constitutional power so as to prevent it
and, of course, if he were the President of
the Unit"d States, he must veto any bill
which might affect the tights of the slave
holders in the District. No language in
deed, can b. stronger than that which he
employs. lie would 20 into the Presitlen-
tial Chair 'the inRcriLLe and uncompronlis-
ing opponent ofany attempt on the part OF
Congress to abolish slavery in the District"
&c. lie denies, most positively, that they
have the shadow of any such power over
the states-and so solemn is his conviction
of duty as to the District, so deep his sense
Of the injustice which would be done to the !
states so perfectly satisfied
is he that sit would inevitably occasion the
dissolution of our happy union"-that he
declares the exercise of any such power in
the District forbidden by objections "as
imperative in their nature and obligations lis
the most papable want of Constitutional
powers would be- and that he would 90
into the Presidential Chair "tciM the deter |
equally decided, TO resist the |
slightest interference in the subject in the |
States where it exists"
Who then can doubt Martin Van Durcn's !
solemn, deliberate, and well considered !
to exercise all his influence, |
all the power with which he may he in
vested, to prevent the slightest action of
Congress, either in the District or in the
States and if it should ever come to that, |
(which Heaven in its Providence forbid y !
he is ready to put the Presidential veto up /
on it, and 10 arrest the evil. lie is commit
ted to this course by every high AMI holy |
which can bind his con
science, affect his character, and concern |
the eternal interests of his beloved country !