Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1838-08-30


fy, touching the subjects on which he
speaks To all who believe, in the ight
Of petition, and The evils alluded to, Gov
Rents answer, VIII prove satisfactory with
out doubt.
BANGOR, July 27, 1898.
GENTLEWEN:-l have the honor to &C.
knowledge the receipt of your letter ad-
dressed to me under date of the 93d inst
asking my opinion in relation to slavery
and the right of petition. most readily
ard cheerfully acknowledge the right Of
amy portion Of the people to ask of candid
ates for office, their views and opinions in
relation to matters of public and general
importance, an the duty of such candid
ates to answer frankly and explicitly. The
subjects 10 which You have called my at
'rntion, are certainly of this nature, aud |
therefore with pleasure comply with your
request.
| say then, gentlemen, that regard
slavery, as it exists in this country, as a
great moral aud political evil, and based
upon an assumed right which do not ac-
knowledge, viz the right of one man to
own property in the person of another. |
believe the whole system of domestic SER
vitude, comprehended under the term
slavery, to be unlnst and productive of great
evils. both to the master and slave, and to
the community in which 1t exists; and that
justice humanity and sound policy alike re-
Quire that it should be abandoned; and |
most heartily concur in the eXpediency OF
all measures which are constitutional and
peaceabe in their nature and aim, at produ-
cling a moral conviction Of the evils of slave
ny and of the Justice and expediency of its
final extinction.
regard the right of free discussion as
one of our undoubted and most valuable
privileges, and | can see nothing in the
nature Of this subject, which should make
it an exception 10 the good rule of our ia
theirs, can see no good reason why mems
mouths are to be closed and their pens
laid aside IN relation to topic so deeply
interesting to US a nation and Individuals
and involving so many considerations Of
naiiona! honor and pressing importance.
/ AN satisfied that the subject must be
met and mast be discussed, aud fully be-
Iieve that the system ofslavery must in the
end be abolished. falling before the irresti-
bic power of pnblic opinion, and peaceaby
yielding to the moral influence of reason
and argument. During these discussions
there will doubtless be many wild and
dangerous theories and extravagant and
overs'ralned assertions and epithetS thrown
out IN the heat of excitement and the ultra
Ism of opposition. ] think gentlemen, " G
have already seen some OF mons aud iheo-
ries, advanced by anti-slavery advocates.
and III publications bearing that name.
which strike at the very foundation of So
CAL order and parental government and
Tend to unsettle the sound principles aud
practices of our pilgrim fathers. | cannot
rcpress the expression Of my regret that
SO much cnuidenancr has been given to
eXtrayag' acies, but ain hlppy il the be
! ltet that in our stable and retiec'inc popu-
la;ion, they fud bui !eW advocates. Eut
the banner, uron which is inscribed the
pain and unqualified and simple motto,
that call men are born eqnal.' il borne
with firm, but cnu:ious hand, must finally
wave i'll triumph.
We have clearly no right by State OF
National Legislation 10 interfere with the
domestic institutions OF our sister States.
We are bound to observe in good faith all
the provisions Of our CONSTITUTE N. But |
cannot agree to the propositions, that we
have no right to discuss in public or in pri-
vate a a question Of morals. righ, and
expediency the natures, tendency and eff
fects of the system of slavery, as tolerated
and sustained by our neighbors We have
] believe, a right to convince them, hut
not to coerce them, TO argue md rea-
son with them, fairly coolIy aud honestly,
but not TO indulge in irritating epilhets and
unqualified denurcation In word ! AIR
the ad vocate Of free and fair aud full dis
cussion.
You speak af the right Of petition. \
rs natural that you Should. TO it Ia = righ
which ''has cost treasure ard has cos
blood" and has been ueat falsely eusren,