The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-09-10

In. 10
- interfering with slavery in STATE Il course pa
none prohibiting the carrying them from l. or r.ceiyns
them into IL, from other States" w..
To this the Richmond Enquirer well replies:
Nov, we have shown that though Fillmore voted again.
the jurisdiction OF Congress slavery the States he
aefised the principles OF his letter OF 1888 by voting il
favor OF the abolition of the save-Irade between the State
and slavery in the District of Columbia"
Indeed, the attempt of the Wing" impose upon ts
readers the idea that northern ansavery men conount
together or In any way connect the question of the power
OF Congress over slavery IN the States with the power tc
abolish The trade in Slaves bst,oeen the States is nothing
else than rank and audacous reacery to the most vita
interests of the South The "Whig" perfectly wei
knows that all northern statesmen without exception
gard them totally distinct questions. Northern anti
slavery infer the power of Congress to prohibit the
trade in slaves between the States Exclusively from the
clause of the constitution which gives Congress the
power to regulate commerce with foreign nations ana
betpeen the States, and with the Indian tribes p and no.
body pretended that this clause gives Congress any
jurisdiction slavery the States In fact, when
the Ant-slavery Society in 1888, asked Mr.. Fillmore if
he ready to have the trade in slaves from State to
State prohibited by act of Congress, and when he so
promptly and decisvey answered that he ,uas ready
they did not then think of asking him whether he
in favor of Congress aboshng touching slavery
in the States They knew, before asking that he was not
that nobody was-and that they were not themselves
The abolition of slavery by Congress in the States was
no part of their professedy abolition platform
Had they made it 50, Giddngs himself would have
boted Yet in the face OF all ths-in the face of the
letter of 1S3Sin the face of the whole course of Mr.
Flmore's votes in Congress the very point in ques-
ton-the ''Whig' petends argue that because he
admits Congress has jurisdiction over slavery in the
States therefore he denies the right OF Congress to inter-
ere in the trade in slaves from one State to another
We say, again, that the "Whg" cannot be deceived by
its poor sophsy, and its attempt so to dupe its read
is not only su upon their intelligence, but is rank
treachery to the vital interests of the South!
One word more of this Gayle letter and we have done
II is very important document-important not so much
for what it asserts, but for what 1t fails to deny Mr.
Fillmore knew, when he wrote it, just how he stood on
the record. He knew that he had signed the abolition
platform in 1888, in response to the call of abol
ton society. He knew that he had voted up to that
platform through series OF years in Congress IN
der these circumstances, Gov Gayle asked him for his
present views upon the matter And his reply leaves all
his past professions his past votes and his signature of
the abolition societys whole platform, altogether unre
cantsd and untouched! This is the conclusive point of
the Gayle letter. 1t fully confirms Mr.. Fmore's abo
tionism. Southern wings may vote for him now. But
if they do vote for him, they must know, and they do
know, that they are voting for an ABOLITIONIST.
| But let his two letters speak for themselves
The Platform OF tho Wing Candidate for tho Vice
Presidency.
| BUFFALO, Oct. II, 1893
SIR Your communication of the 18th instant chair
of a committee appointed by The Anti Slavery So
| n, E.riep has IN hand
solicit my answer to the following interrogatories:
st Do you believe that petitions to Congress the sub
read and respectfully considered by the representatives OF
| the people?
ID Are you opposed the annexation of Texas to this
Union, under any circumstances long slaves held
3D. Are you favor of Congress exercising all the con.
| trade between the Statesl
4th Are in favor of immediate legislation tho alb.
clifton OF slavery in the District of Columbia
| am much engaged, and have time to enter into an
argument or to explain at length my for my opn.
ion. shall therefore myself for the present. by
| answering ALL your inerrogatories in the AFFIRMA-
TIVE and leave for future occasion more extended
discussion on the subject.
| WILLARD FILLMORE.
ALBANY, July 81, 1913.
DEAR SIR have your letter of the 18th instant but my
official duties have been pressing that have been
PEELED neglect private correspondents had also de
mined to write no letters for publication bearing upon the
in the approaching But you desire
information for your satisfaction in regard the
charges brought against from the South the slave
question, have concluded to briefly my position.
While was in Congress, there was much agitation or
the right of petition My votes will doubtless be found
corded uniformly in favor of it, The rule upon which
acted that every citizen presenting respectful pct
ton the body that by the constitution had the
grant refuse the prayer OF it, entitled to be heard
and therefore the petition ought be received and consid
cred If right and reasonable the prayer Of it should
ganted but if wrong unreasonable, it should be denied
think all my votes whether the reception of petitions
the of resolutions, will be found consisen
with this rule.
have Of my congressional documents here. they
being my former residence in Buffalo, have
any papers memoranda refresh my recollection
but think time while in Congress took occasion
state, in substance, views the subject OF slave
in the States. Whether the remarks reported
unable say but the substance was, that regarded
slavery evil but with which the national govern
men had nothing to dolhat by the constitution Of the
United States, the whole power that question was
vested in several States where the institution
tolerated. II they regarded it blessing they had
constitutional right enjoy and If they regarded it
evil they had the power, and knew best how to apply
the remedy l did not conceive that Congress had any
power it, in any way responsible for its
inuance in the several States where it existed have
entertained other sentiments this subject since cx
ahmed it sufficiently form opinion and doubt not
that all my acts, public and private will be found in