The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-08-12

siavery-Fse opintss era Jsdge, snsivsa-
ally Kxpre-ssa- if
GkEkxE Z. BReSsox, at present Judxs Of the
Court Of Appeais-the Court Of lat resort in
the stais Of Nsw York. and who wa. for some
isn OF twelve years Judge Of the Supreme
Court, preceding the adoption of the present
Constitution. writes thas about slavery and
slave extension: y rIssT
ALBANY, July Is, 1913.
GESTLEMES.--I received your letter in
viting me TO be Presen: and address meet
ing to be held in The Park. in the city OF
New York. on the 18th instant, slor the
purpose Of ratiffisg the nomination Of NJ.
Van Buren, for the Presidency, and Of con-
tribuiing to the extension of free soil and
the perPetuatioh Of free labor"
When was appointed a Justice Of the
Supreme Court something more than
twelve years ago, deemed it proper 10
withdraw from all active participation in
the political conflicts OF the day; and TO
that resolution have ever since steadily
adhered. My democratic principles and
opinions have remained unchanged; but |
have had very little to do with political az
fairs beyond giving my vote al elections.
Notwithstanding the change which has re-
Gently been made in the mode or seleetine
Judges. shall sill leave the strife OF party
politics TO Others, as long as remain in a
judicial station. You will see, OF course,
that | cannot accept your invitation.
But il is not perceived that there can be
any Improperly in expressing my opinion
upon one Of the topics to which you have al
lnded. | am utterly opposed to the extern
sion OF slavery into any Territory Of the
United States where It does not now exist.
But I do not think Il either necessary Or
exPedieAt to call upon Congress 10 lsgis-
late on The subject. The relation Of mas
ter 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
recognised by all eivilised communities.
Slarery cannot ernst pkeTe there IS no pos
itiUe lalU TO uphold IL. II is not necessary
that II should be forbidden; II Is enough
that IL is not specially authorised. II the
owner Of slaves removes with, or sends
them into any country, State or Territory,
where slavery does not exist by law, they
will from that moment become free men,
and will have as good right to command
the master as he will have to command
them. State laws have no extra Territory
authority; and a law Of Virginia which
makes a man a slave there, cannot make
him slave in New York, nor beyond the
Rocky Mountains.
Entertaining no doubt upon that 9ues-
ton, can see no occasion for asking Con
gFess TO legislate against the extension OF
slavery into lIee Territory. and as a question
of policy think il had better be LET alone.
II our Southern brethren wish TO carry their
slaves to Oregon, New Mexico OF CalIiOr-
MIA, they will be under the necessity OF ask
ing law to warrant il: and il will then
be in time for the free States 10 resist the
measure, as ! cannot doubt they would with
unwaveTing 6mness- -
would not needlessly move this ques-
ton, because Il is one OF an exciting ma
mre, which tends to sectional division. and
which may do us harm as a people. !
would leave it to the slayehOlding States to
decide for themselves, and on their own re
sponsibility, when, il ever, the matter shall
be agitated in Congress. il may be that they
will act wisely, and never move at all-es
pecially as it seems pretty generally agreed
that neither Oregon. New Mexico, nor Cal
ilornia. is well adapted 10 slave labor. But
If our Southern brethren should make the
question, We shall have no choice but to
meet il; and then, whatever consequences
may follow, trust the people OF the free
States will give united voice against al
lowing slavery on a sing6soOt Of free soil
where it is not now authorised by law.
am very respectfully,
Your obi servant,
GREENE G. BRONSON.
To Messrs. John Cochran and Others. Com