The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-08-16
The Postmaster General on AboIItionism
and tine Malls.

WAsuscrov, July 10, 1912
Dear sir-I received yours Of the 18th ultimo In
which you say that in the exciting Congressional
yass in your district In Alabama am charged with
being downright abstiopist," and that the demo-
cratic candidate calls black hearted ana suphu.
rous atoitionist" You seem to desire me TO defend
myself
sepsible that those who such epithets generally
gard the people they address ignorant and exctsbie
enough TO BE- Influenced BY vituperaton aud per-
sobs allure than either by reason IL Ia there
fore course which cannot be stopped by anything
eau either say or do All can s.y q. that sm rot
new, nor have ever been sbolitiopi-t and have
always received the most biser opposition FROM the
abolition party In my own State. I have always held
that nothing should be done by the general govern
ment In relation TO the subject Of slavery in the several
States. have always disc0untepspced and opposed
s measures public or private, intended to interfere
with or disturb the Institution existing within the
States as recognised by the constitution Al the sane
time II IL due 60 justice ard myself t. say sm an
soti-slavery man, thatis regard slavery ss very
great political aud moral evil. aud think nothing
tendit.
You cay Mr. Inge informs the people that as Pest
master General, can ftnd ny the mails or withhold
tbereffom, any documents ! wish; aud that since
have been Postmaster General the South has been
hooded with abolition documents. Nov, sir, have
had In Congress- some personal scqusintance and In
for me TO believe be could ever be guilty Of such gross
ana Talpable representation. II certainly could
net be necessary for any cne to write 20 me for ofor
nation 70 meet so obvious fasehood The Postms ster
General has no power. direction or control the
matter to be mailed II Ia REQUESTED entirely by Law
ne sws OF congress rstaolthing ana r.gulstng the
fot once Department in all parts OF the country,
open oDd accessible to sill mep These Laws give ne-
thsr TO any postuar nor 90 the head II the Depart
ment any authority control whatever over any
printed paper letter which any person may think
proper TO convey by mail. When su,h paper
letter, properly directed Is presented to postmas
ter, 70 be mailed, he has no right power, nor
has the Postmaster General any authority to give
him power. TO oren and examine IL. to ascertain its
contents, or TO suppress refuse to mall Ii No Post
master General attempted the exercise OF such
Itver aud prccsely the same reguistioa
rights powers, aud duties exist nov ia the Department
aud Ufces which have existed for many yesrs before
my accession 10 Office, and no other All thu Il known
or cen be known % any Who desires To know the
truth Hov gross and upjustifsble then, be the
approximations 81 any man ~ho attempts to the
people believe that am. this naturalization.
even the President u in any degree snswerabe r the
fentments contained In the pated aud written papers
which all men have the TO send in the mails and
which no enc has the power 10 prevent.
am, cir Jour humble servant,
JACOB COLLAMER
lie TsosIss 2. Csa~rerp, hlsbama