The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-09-02
1ALRANf. July15ih, 1913.

i IhN fALBAN4, July 9Th, 1913. n
IGENrLEhENs- -lreceived your letter
inviting ne to- be present and addfessa
meeting 10 be held in the Park, Iin the
city ofNsw York, on the 18th instant,
ts.for the purpose o1 ratifying the nomis
nation Of Martin Van Buren, for the
Presidency, and Of contributing to the
extension OF free soil, and the perpetuu'
ton OF free labor"
When | was appointed a, Justice Of
the Supreme Coutt, something sDore
than twelve years ago, ! deemed it pro-
lper 10 withdraw from all active pnrti-
cipaiion in the political conflicts Of the
day; and to that resolution ] have ever
since steadily adhered. My Demo
cratic principles and opinions have re-
NAMED unchanged; but | have had very
little to do with political affairs beyond
giving my vote at elections. Notwith-
standing the change which has recent
ly been made in the mode of selecting
Judges, shall still leave the strife OF
party politics, so long as | remain in a
judicial station. You will see, ofcourse,
that cannot accept your invitation,
But it is not perceived that there can
be any improperly in expressing my
opinion upon one of the topics TO which
you have alluded. lam utterly oppos-
ed to the extension Of slavery into any
territory Of the United States where it
does not exist. But do not think it
either necessary or expedient to call
upon Congress TO iegislate on the SUBJ
ject. The relation of master and slave
does not exist by the law Of nature; ;
nor has the claim of the master, like the
right to property in general, been re.
cognized by all civilized communities.
Slavery cannot exist where there is
no positive law to uphold it. 1t is not
necessary that it should be forbidden;
j, is enough tina, it is not specially all.
thorized. lfthe owner Of slaves removes
with, or sends them into any country,
state or territory, where slavery does
not exist by law, they will, from tha,
moment, become free men, and will
have as good a right to command The
master as he will have to command
them. State laws have no extra terri
tory authority, and law of Virginia
which makes man slave there, can
not make him slave in New York, nor
beyond the Rocky mountains. ''
Entertaining no doubt upon that ques.
tion, | can see no occasion for asking
Congress to lcgisIate against the exten.
sion of Slavery into free territory, and
as question of policy think it had
better be let alone. If our Southern
brethren wish to carry their slaves to
Oregon, New Mexico or California,
they will be under The necessity Of ask
ing law TO warrant it; and it will
then be time for the free States to resist
the measure, as | cannot doubt they
would, with unwavering firmness. ~
! would not needlessly move this
question, because it is one of an excit.
ing nature, which tends to sectional d.
vision, and which may do US harm as a
people. | would leave it TO the slave.
holding States 10 decide for themselves,
and on their own responsibility, when,
il ever, the matter shall be agitated.-
1t may be that they will act wisely, and
nevermove at aIl.-especiaIly as it seems
pretty generally agreed, that neither
Oregon, New Mexico, nor California, is
well adapted 10 slave labor. ~
Butii our Southern brethren should
make the question, we shall have no
choice but to meet it; and then, what
ever consequences may follow, ! trust
the people Of the Free States will give
united voice against allowing slavery
on single foo, Of free soil where it is
not now authorized by law. t>H.G
-a am very respectfully, ,rp>nqil
af -'H Your obedient servant, 1g
5J..% o GREENE C. BRONSON. 70
The following letter of the Hon. John Petit,
member Of Congress from Indiana, written in an
swer to a like invitation as that extended to Judge
Bronson, deserves an attentive perusal. If any Of
our readers think of deserving Cass and Butler on
account of this slavery question, let them ponder
well the positions assumed by Mr.. Petit, and we
believe they will abandon any such Intention
Mr. Petit is an ardent Wilmot Proviso democrat,
and, in fact, goes farther than almost any others
whose speeches we have read. He not only says
that this government can prohibit slavery in her
territories but can also create or abolish il at plea
sure. Yet he goes for Cass and Butler. Hon.
John Wentworth, OF Illinois, also occupies the
same position. But to the letter:
,,'a WAsHINeToN, July l5, 1848.
GENTLEMEN:--l have received your
letter Of the 7lh instant, inviting me to
be present al and address meeting, to
he held in the c,itv of New York on the