The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-05-30
AVA, ILLINOIS, SATURDAY, MAY 80 1910.

Government to interfere with or dis
turb it would violate the spirit of
the compromise which lies at the basis
OF the Federal compact" He 'deprecates
the conduct of those who are attempting
to coerce their brethren in other States In
to the abolition of slavery" He declares
himself to be the ''inAexible and uncom-
promising opponent of any attempt on 'iit
part of Congress to abolish slavery IN the
District of Columbia, against the WASHES
of the slaveholding States" anu ms de
termination is equally decide 5sist the
slightest interference WI IN the States
where it exists" "4e Constitution OF
the United Sta ne observes, ssearries
with it an adjustment of all questions IN
volve' l Toe deliberations which ied to
its option, and Fat re compromise OF
iiuGercsts in which W founded, is bin
ding in honor and & "a faith, independents
~ of the force of argument on all who live
under its protection, and participate III the
benefits of which it is the source. "W e
can only hope to maintain the unlon OF
the States, by abstaining from all in;erte-
renee with the laws, domestic policy, and
peculiar interests Of every other State
81 prefer" says Mr.. Van Buren,, "that
not only you, but all the people of the
United States, shall now understand, thai
if the desire Of that portion OF them which
is favourable to my elevation to the Chief
Magistracy be gratified, mustgo into the
Presidential Chair, the ineXible and un-
compromising opponent of any attempt on
the part of Congress to abolish Starery IN
the District of Columbia against the wish
es of the slavcholding States, and also
with the determination equally decided, 10
resist the slightest interference with the
subject in the States where it exists" al
do not hesitate to give it as my deliberate
and well settled opinion that there are OBJ
iections to the exercise ofthis power the
power of Congress over the slaves in the
District of Columbia against the wishes
of the slaveholdngStates, as imperative in
their nature and obligations, in regulating
the conduct of public men, as the most
palpable want Of constitutional powcf
would be- The letter from which tla
above extracts are taken, was written on
/ lie 9th OF March, 1896.
Mir taa Dureh Kos iaoN peeii feshfent
orthrce years, and his administration Of
the General Government has been pros
porous and happy. 1t is true, he has had
stormy times, but he has sieered the ship
of State through the angry pillows, with
great caution and judgment. He has, in
all his messages, and public acts, shown
that he is governed by the Interpretation
placed upon the Constitution of the Uni
ted States by the Virginia and Kentucky
resolutions, the safest guides 10 American
statesmen, as understood and explained by
Mr. Madison.
The President has, in every part of his
Administration, been met, and endavored
10 be thwarted, by strong and angry OPP
position, aided by the banks, WHO have
thus far prevented the regulation, OF the
safe keeping and disbursement ofde pub
lie moneys; but the people, upon sober
second thought, are coming to lis aid
and the present Congress, in all prd1abli.
ty, will settle the great question If the
currency according to the powers If the
Constitution, and the rights and interests
of the people of the United States.
With great respect,
JESSE BEEN,.
OAKLAND, near Cahawba, 29th Mrch,
1910,