The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1848-08-26

who have witnessed their success One of those
very settlers, after assuming and for many years
discharging the responsibility OF enforcing the
Ordinance OF 1857, and after ENJOYING large
share OF his country's confidence and respect in
other forms, was finally elevated to the Presiden-
cy, and died in that exalted station. Another
highly distinguished inhabitant of one of the ter.
ritJrles, subject TO the same resrction after hav-
ing also, for long series of years. borne the re-
sponsbility of seeing to the execution OF this
now derided ordinance, as Governor OF the terri
tory, Is, at present, the favored candidate for the
same high office, of portions OF the citizens of the
slaVeholding as we'll as OF the other states
In the face of facts like these, is it possible
that the application of this restriction to New
Mexico and California can operae to the dIspar-
agement OF brethren of the savehoIdlng
states ; No impartial mind cam think, regard
1t in this light; and if there be any other objec-
ions insisted on that are worthy of notice, am
not apprsed OF them. None that are tenable
can, in my judgment, be offered The measure
is right in itself; and what is right may always
be done with ultimate safety The present gen.
Grafton stand in the same relation toward these
very extensive territories in which the sages of
I7S7 stood toward the North western territory,
Ii we act as wisely, as they did, results not less
glorious than those which reflect such undying
honor on the policy OF that day, will follow the
Iabors and perpetuate the memories of those by
whom it is now upheld.
The sixth resolution embraces the subject of
Slavery i'll the District OF Columbia and | OBJ
serve in it generality of expression in respect
to the time when, and the circumstances under
which, it was the opinion OF the Convention that
Ii should be abolished, which has not been usual
on the part of the friends OF immediate action.
Most rejecting and philanthroPic minds live
in the hope that they will one day slavery
abolished, not only in that District, but in the
States also-in the latter through the agency OF
the State Governments to whom the Constltu-
ton wisely leaves exclusive power in the mat
ter,-anL in the former by Congress. may be
mistaken, but think | see in the guarded Lam
guage of the Resolution evidence of appre-
hension on the part Of the Convention that diff
ference in opinion, to some extent at least, ex-
Isted among its members upon the point referred
to, and of an enlightened and truly patriotic re-
solve not to suffer that circumstance, ii it exist
ed, to weaken the moral power of their unanm-
ity on the great question which had brought
them together.
My opinion in favor of the power of Congress
to abolish slavery in the District OF Columbia, has
been repeatedly avowed, as well when candi-
date as while President; and every days refec-
ton has but served 10 confirm my conviction of
its correctness. at the same time expressed my
self strongly against the expedency of exer-
cising 1t; and In recent letter to the New York
Delegation at Utica, referred to my continued
opposition to that measure. The subject was on
ly Incidentally introduced, and there was conse-
quenty but little care taken in regard to the
terms in which the suggestion made.
The form Of expression which | employed has,
1t appears, led many honest and intelligent men
to assume, that the remark related, ex clusiFely
to the past, and was not intended to convey my
present views on the matter. This construction,
though, perhaps, not unwarranted by the words
employed, is, in fact, erroneous and it is due to
frufh IN fair de IN all ho aka in.
terest in the matter that the subject should now
be placed in its true hight.
1t Is not to be denied that many of the reasons
which in 1887 and before, operated to produce
the convictions | then expressed, no longer ex-
ist; and it, when writing to the New York del
egation at Utica,I could have anticipated what has
since occurred, | should have felt it my duty to
discriminate between the reasons which had
passed away, and those which yet remain. But
when my letter to them was written, nothing
could have been farther from my expectations,
THAI that should ever again be candidate for
the Presidency; and, of course, it was not my in
tentIon to say what my conduct would be on this
any other matter, if again an incumbent OF
that place.
have spoken in former part of this letter, of the
three leading features of the policy, in regard to Sla
very, adopted by the Fathers of the Republic. Histo
ry if true, must record the fact that the North has
hitherto faithfully sustained her part in the mainten
ance of this policy, and in than in that
which inculcates forebearance the point now
ferred to- wish to see the forbearance which has
long characterized her conduct in this matter, still
farther continued Approving Of the Platform which
the Convention has adopted and conscious, from my
impressions of right and duty in regard to it, that |
shall be among the last to abandon it, prefer not to
connect our efforts to sustain it, with issue which,
all must admit to be- in degree at least, affected
by different considerations.
In my judgement, all that necessary to insure sue
cess is dispassionate but steady and firm action Let
the great principle we now contendng for, be
once more reestabished in the councils of the nation
and the institution of Slavery in the District of Column
bia will fall of ITSELF Other and important inter-
ests will intervene and induce the inhabitants them
selves to labor for its removal
must not, however, be understood, either by what
now say, or by what said in my letter to the
New-York Delegation at Utica, as repeating the dec
laraon that would, if elected, withhold my appro-
baton from bill for the abolition Of Slavery in the
District | could not now give any ouch assurance,
for the reason that the circumstances by which the
question is surrounded, widely and materially
different from what they when the declaration
was made and because upon question of expedien-
cy circumstances must control. At that time, the
apprehension was honestly entertained that there
danger of servile war; in consequence of the extent
to which the agitation of this question had been press
ed.
Participating in this apprehension and believing that
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