The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-11-21

III A
practices. bsned, any section or State the eonsdeacy
hey would rise up without further delay, and say the
agents Of sedon, who have heretofore sporied with their
creduy and abused thsr confidence that the period has a,
length arrived when they will not longer permit them, In
their uamps the sacred provisions Of hs eonsu
ton under foot and embro the legislative councils OF The
nation In unsesmly and wicked controversy Taking this
view Of the matter and knowing that you have had an
portuniiy OF comforting freely during the past simmer
with yoar fellowciiizsn, Of North Carolina venture TO
lay befoe you the resolutions recently adopted by the
southern Of The State Of Mississippi. and call
upon you whether not you approve Them. and
whether they In your opinion approved In the State Of
North Carolina ssd the South generally. Being promi
member of the wing party, yon will doubtless feel
thorzed speak, in language too explicit 10 be msunder
STOOD the probable action OF political associates
the Souh should the sectional contest be pushed
TO exremtes. In the convention Of Mississippi you will
observe, both the great political parties Of the country
equally represented the resolutions uwaHimossiy
adopted by that body may be therefore regarded decaa
tive OF the views and feelings of the whole Stale How
ever il may possibly be elsewhere, you
confidently that the people OF Mississippi look upon the
slavery question: in is existing aspects, above party
well satisfied that this is the condition Of things gen
orally In the South and hope tn you will feel Justified
In expressing concurrent opinion.
had the honor Of addressing lew days since inquiries
similar those propounded you your distinguish
ed colleague. the Hon. Willie p Mangum, who propo.es
the physical indisposon with which he Is
present afflicted will permit TO declare his views upon the
whole subject In a somewhat extended FORM am graft
fed to know. and to be specially authorized state that
he fully and warmly approves the proceedings OF our Mis-
sissppi convention; certainly be expected from
always ready heretofore he has been, defend
honor and safety ofthe South against aggressions either
tual meditated, from whatever quarter they might
nate.
have the honor be, very cordially and respectfully,
your friend and obedient servant, H. 8. FOOTE
Hon. THos. l.. CLIsaMAS.
R,ply Of NJ, Ciiagman TO Mr.. Fsoie
Cry OF WASHINGTON, November Is, 1919
DEAR Yours Of the 10Th instant has been received
in which you ask my views well my opinion as
what will be the OF the South In either Of the
tingences referred Your position representative
Of Of the States and the consideration due person
ally, merit alike prompt reply
Having former occasions given my views In detail with
reference the whole subject II is for
do this time proceed therefore, to give you simply
the general results Of my reflections.
The federal government because Is the government Of
the United States is the and agent for all the States
and their citizens Every power, therefore, which IL
righuy exercise it mus, Of necessity exercise for the ben
eft OF all the parties IT, The territory of the United States
being the common property, the government Is bound to
far as practicable Tor the benefit of ath
States well their citizens difference, however,
lists among them in relation to the institution of slavery
When the constitution formed twelve OF the thirteen
States siavehodng Thar instrument though IL has
interests Of Shareholders contains provision for the abo
ton of slavery anywhere. II the government, therefore.
properly exercise sach power in any instance, il
be because its duties general agent acting
and views of its principals require it, But
fifteen of the thirty STATES the Union still maintain the
institution Of slavery 1t is obvious therefore, that the gov
could not consistently with It's powers general
agent exclude the shareholders class from all partci
patton in the enjoyment OF the territory OF the United States
the contrary, under solemn obligations respect
the rights Of ALL has always heretofore, understand
its action, shown Of this obligation. When the
much talked Of ordinance adopted. by which terri
tory north of the Ohio river AIDE free all portion
Of country south Of the river the Gulf of Mexico
TO be occupied by slavehoaders When slavery sbo
ishsd in the northern part OF the Louisiana eritoy
southern portion, regarded the suitable for slave
holders left to be occupied On the annexation Of
Texas when provision against slavery north Of Is deg 80
min Incorporated much the larger and valuable
portion was left stn 10; the Of stakeholder.
Bar 10 proposed adopt the policy of excluding
such, from all the territory of the United
States This would be entire revolution in the Of
the government-a revolution which coad with
total violation Of the spirit and of the eonsu
tion Since those citizsns who do slaves per-
mted to occupy every part Of the terrfory Of hc Union
has been doubted by many whether the cal
righuly exclude shareholders from any portion of the com
mon properly But. IL there should be power 70 d.
vide the public territory for conveniencs between the two
classes 10 perfectly clear that there DO RICH;
sreisds eiaa e~tiray. have heretofore said thar
should regard such exclusion being great vioa
tio~ Of the constitutions the gov~ms~t coxd yossby COM
NIT Bat even II this action should be viewed simply as
an enormous abuse of power IL would be the less OBJ
jectonable. The government has unlimited powers in re-
aton TO the esabs hmsnt of poet Offices throughout the
Union IL however, were 10 Withdraw all the post Offices
from the savehodng States the ground citizens
OF those States were worthy Of the and aid
Of the government should have much son to con-
plain oil such action as IL IL involved clear niracon Of
the letter OF the constitution.
In woid II the government should adopt the policy oil
excluding shareholders, snch, from all the territory OF
the United States would In substance and effect csas TO
be the government Of the Usnsd While the form Of
the constitution might remain the same It's character would
be essentially changed.
Ought the southern States acquiesce in this great or
ganic change in political y.emi Ought they to re-
main members Of association which mad in utter
gard Of plain constitutional guarantees degraded them from
their position Of equsliyi As history unshe. no record
Of any people who have propered alter ihey had forfeited
their seespect by submitting be degraded to state Of
political vassaage hold be the duty Of the southern
States TO resist this change That res.tsnce to be eecna
should be commensurate with the voencs Of the attack
This they TO the Of con.ttutona liberty to jus
tice, and to their own honor.
With reference u the abolition Of slavery in the District
Of Columbis viii simply say that, wsiving all contro-
versy In relation 10 constitutional right to
the adjoining States " such occur ut this
time. would not lake place in obedience the wishes of
the citizens Of the District but would brought about at the
instance Of the inhabitants Of the Stes But these per-
ha M 10 H.tK ,f