The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-08-06
The Extension Of Slavery.

The Extension OF slavery
The following letter was written by J.,
C. Calhoun, in 4eply 10 a note transmit
ting him a resolution of thanks passed by
Wing meeting in Putnam county, Gcor-
gia, and approving of his resolutions pre-
scented TO the Senate, at its late session,
against the Wilmot Proviso:
FoRr Hill. eth June, 1917.
Dear Sir:-I am in receipt of your note Of the
18th instant, covering the resolution adopted bya
meeting Of the Wing partyof Putnam county, ap-
proving the resolutions introduced by me IN the
Senate Of the United States during the last sess-
ion, in opposition to the Wilmot Proyiso. and ten
dering the thanks Of the meeting for the stand |
took in behalf of our rights.
| am happy that my resolutions and stand have
met with the appreciation Of your meeting; not so
much on my account, as acceptable as is the APP
probation Of my iellow-citizens TO me, but for a
reason far more important. Coming from a quar-
ter OF the State so respectable and Influential, /
hail it as an omen that the Wings Of Georgia are
prepared to do their duty in reference to the vital
question involved in the resolutions l introduced.
l hope it is the precursor to the Union OF al
pdIueS WIFI us 10 fepcl uu outrageous anu uupIO-
voked assault on us-one that involves our safety
and that of the Union. We lave the Constitution
clearly with us: My resolutions have been as
sailed and denounced. but the truth of the prin.
ciples they assert remains uncontested and I'M
contestible. In defending them, we not only de-
fend ourselves, but the Constitutions; and in defen-
ding il, the Union itself of which it is the basis.
We must not be deceived-T The time has come
tokea the question must be met. IL can no lon ger
be avoided, nor, if IL could, isT desirable. The
longer tits postponed, the more inveterate and
dangerous will become the hostile feelings be-
tpeen he siavehOidiRg and non-slaUeA0lding
States. With union among ourselves We have
nothing TO fear, but without it, every thing. The
question is far above the party questions of the
day. He who is not for us is against us. (
For your kind expression OF feeling towards me,
in communicating the resolution accept my sin.
cere acknowledgement.
With great respect | am, &c.
J. c. CALHOUN.
SAMUEL A. WALES Esq.
This is a note of warning to the North
1t gives the friends of freedom ample
material for reflection. 1t brings right
up the vital question of the extension o.
Slavery, for there is no doubt but Cal,
houn speaks the sentiments Of a large
majority of the South, and it now re.
mains to be seen whether the North viii
permit this Union to become q place fol
the propagation Of Slavery. 1t is no .
question of Southern rights. We are
perfectly willing to award the South al
that the Constitution guarantees to it; bur
WI cannot see how this instrument give.
them the right to extend the area o
Slavery and admitterritorie populated by
shareholders as States of the Union. L
Mr.. Calhoun speaks tho sentiments o.
the South, if the South claims the right
by the Constitution, of extending slavery
then indeed does he speak the truth wher
he says, "The time has come when the
question must be met. 1t can no longe,
be avoided; nor, if it could, is it desired
But if the North is true to itself, tn,
South Carolina Senator is mistaken whel
he says, "IViM union among ourselce
we hare nothing TO fear, hut withont il
e~Uerything." The North is able to con
troll this question and they must do it, un
less they desire this Republic to be tn,
home of Slavery. "The question is ia
above the party questions of the day.
1t speaks right home to the hearts anc
consciences Of men. 1t is simply this
shall we purchase and conquer territory
shall the money aud blood of the countr,
be expended, for the purpose of increas
ing the number Of slave states and contin
uing the existence of Slavery?" 1t is no
n question of Abolitionism. That W,
leave to the people of the South. TIL,
Constitution guarantees to the people tn
privilege of holding their fellow-men il
bondage and with it. so long as it is KEEP
within proper bounds, we have no desir,
-
to NEEDLE. But when the question come
up with regard to the extension of tha
privilege not only in all the territories O
the Union, but in those, which may here
after be annexed, we claim a right t
speak, and it seems to us that the Nortl
should awaken to sense oftheir DANCE
and DO forewarned by the bugle-blasi
which now comes up from the South
And remember, too, that "he who is no
for us is against u.s." Consider, feeme
ofthe North,-"Shall your voice be hear
in favor of Extending tho institution @
Slarery."