Democratic banner., 1849-07-09
sHoA. David n. Atchissn's Reply, II tine
acknowledgement any the PIHtt9 City
Aeettnes on the 4th OF June, 1s49.
PLATTE CRY, June 9Th, ls49

anee with Q resolution presented at Con-
vsntion of the citizens Of Plstte county, Mo-,
irrespective Of party, held at the Court
House in Platte City, on Monday, the 18th
day Of June, ls49, in pursuance Of public
notice" for the purpose Of giving an sx-
preston Of the popular will in regard to the
Appeal of the Hon. Thomas H. Benton from
the jackson Resolutions of our last Leg
i~sIature, and also to give an expression as
to the principles contained in the Wilmot
Proviso, and for such other purposes as may
be connected with these questions" The
undersigned herewith transmits a copy Of
the said Resolutions, respectfully request
ing your attention to, and compliance there
with Yours Respectfully,
J. MORN, Pres't. Com.
Resolced, Inssmuch as Col Benton has
given, in an elaborate speech delivered by
him in Jefferson City, on the goth day Of
May last, his views on the Wilmot Proviso
and the Legislative Resolutions, with his
reasons therefor; and it is important on so
grave Q question, that the sentiments of our
public serysnts should be known, the Presi-
dent Of this Convention be directed to re-
quest the Hon. David r. Atchison to give at
an early day, his opinions on this subject in
writing for publication, with such reasons
therefor, as he may deem expedient. And
that the Hon. Willard P. Hall, the Repre-
sentative in Congress from this district, be
requested to do likewise.
Capt. ]. MoRIN,
President Of the Convention Of Platte Co.,
Sir: Your note Of the 9Th inst, together
With q resolution adopted by q convention
Of the people of Platts county, Mo-, held at
the Court House in Platte City, or the 14th
of May, 1s49, has been received. I am re-
quested to give, at an early day, my oPin-
ions on the subject Of the WiImot Proriso
and the Resolutions Of the Legislature of
this State, on the subject of Slavery, for pub
LEGATION, &c.
With this request, I do Tow most cheer
fully comply. There should be . full an
dentsnding between the Representative and
his constituents, on all subjects Of public
policy; especially upon questions of 90 grave
and momentous q character, as those involv-
ed in the Wilmot Proviso and the Resolu.
tons mentioned.
First, then, as to the Wilmot Proviso: 1t
proposes "that the government of the Uni
ted States shall, by law, prohibitslsvery and
involuntary servitude, otherwise than for
the punishment Of crimes whereof the party
shall be duly convicted, from all the Terri
tories Of the United States, now in posses
sion, or hereafter to be acquired" I have
stated this proposition as it is understood BY
its friends and advocates.
consider the principles contained in this
PrOvisO, as Fundamentally wrong" LIST,
Because "sny attempt on the part Of Con-
grsss to lsgislate on the subject, so as to af-
feet the institution Of slavery in the States,
in the District Of Columbia, or in the Ter
~ritories, is, to say the least, a violation of the
principles upon which the Constitution was
founded" End, "Thst the Territories &C.
CURED by the blood and treasure of the
whole nation, ought to be governed for the
common benefit of the States; end any or.
ganization Of the Territorial government,
excluding the citizens Of any part of this
Union, from removing to such Territories
With their property, would be an exercise of
power, BY Congress, inconsistent with the
spirit upon which our Federal compact was
based, insulting to the dignity of the States
thus affected, calculated to ALLEVIATE one por-
ton Of the Union from another, and tend
ing Ultimately to disunion." Bird, Because
it tends to destroy thejust balance of power
between the free and the slave States.
Can it for one moment, be believed, that
the slave States would have ratified the