Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1849-07-30


bills. And have since un
derstood, though I cannot vouch for the
fact. that such was the actual intention,
and that the proceedings of the Conyen-
ton would have assumed a party charac-
ter, and been directed to this object, had not
the design been frustrated by the frmness
of the Democratic members,
Now MFR. Greeley will understand why
did not attend this Convention. But ]
eannot understand why he seeks my opin.
ion on this questions in my letter, which is
wholly silent on the subject, and not in my
speeches and votes in the Senate OF the
United States.
Eminent Wing politicians whom could
name but that it would be invidious TO do
so, were invited to attend the Chicago
Convention, but neither answered nor at-
tended. thought it due to The gentleman
who invited me, to acknowledge his atten-
ton and did so. And this act of courtesy,
which constitutes the only difference be-
tween myself and others has been made the
textbook whence my opinions, ale to be
deduced and by which my inconsistency is
to be proved. On the question OF the pow
or ofthe United States over the subject OF
internal Improvements, my sentiments are
IN accard ,nce with those of the great
Democratic party, and are fully expressed
in the resolutions ofthe Baltimore Cunven
iion. 10 the words Of one OF these resi-
lutions, believe 4ethat the Constitution does
not confer on the general government The
power to commence and carry on gener-
al System Of internal improvements" and
no man living has the right to gainsay this
assertion. Butat the same ii lie | have
never disputed the right of Congress to i'm.
prove SOME Of the great harbors and rivers,
ana lakes Of the Union, national in their
character, and importantto the commerce,
and some of them to tie defence of our
country. While the Democratic party
deny the power to devise and carry on q
vast system of operations whose pecuni.
arY extent no man can foresee, and what
is siifi worse, whose corrupting influence
rs we'll in the legislature as out of it can
not be viewed bat with the most serious ap-
prebension great majority of that
party, indeed nearly all of it, has adyoca.
ted particular appropriations justified by
the circumstance of position and import
ance. A!nos, at the same time that | de-
clared my adhesion to the resolutions Of the
baltimore Convention voted with equal
good faith for bills in the Senate providing
for the improvement Of rivers and harbors
and lakes, and advocated their passage in
my seat; and this is precisely the reason
why accuse many of the Wing papers
and politicians, Of disingenuousness, or
something worse in asserting that my Chi
caga letter, which contained not word on
the subject, was proof of my hostility to all
the action OF Congress, in the very face Of
my oficia! course and Of my pnblicly de-
elared opinions. Aud my position was
that Of most of the prominent men Of our
party, who while they held to the doctrines
ofthe resolution held likewise to the pow.
er Of special legislation, and voted for the
same bills. | do not know, indeed, that
there is asingle Senator who denies to
Congress all power to legislate over this
matter. Certainly Mr.. i;alhoun does not,
who adopts the wholesale doctrine Of
strict construction. | am aware it is diff
cult 10 draw practical line at all times
between objects that ought and that ought
moi TO engage the attention Of Congress;
and think, therefore, looking to the abuse
to which the whole object is liable, that the
efTart should be to narrow and not to en-.
large The circle OF power; and such | un-
derstand to be the views OF the Democratic
party.
The other proof Of insincerity, as have
already stated is drawn from The fact, that
in my letter to Mr.. Nicholson, took
ground against the Wilmot Provisio, ex-
cluding Slavery by law from the Territe-
,es, and ROW believe that Slavery, with or
without that restriction, will not be estab-
lislled there. And the wonder is grayely
expressed, how could write that letter,
and the letter Of three lines to the Chicago
Convention, and yet claim to the charac.
ter of an honest man! 1t is much graver
wonder to me how intelligent Editors OF
public papers, whose influence on public
opinion is SO great, should venture thus to
deal, even with political opponent, in Ut
ter disregard of his true position. 1t will
not surprise you, but it will many who have
viewed my course only in parry aspect,
to be told that in .the very letter 10 AIR.
Nicholson / expressly stated my opinion
to be, that Slavery would never extend to
California or New Mexico; and that ''the
inhabitants OF those regions, whether they
depend on their pluws or their herds, can.
not be SHAREHOLDERS" quoted with full
approbaiion the opinions OF Mr.. Buchanan
and Of Mr.. Walker, the former OF whom
says: at is morally impossible. there
fore, that majority of the emigrams to
that portion of the territory south OF IS deg.
30, will ever re-establish Slavery within
it's limits" Mr.. Walker maintains that
'.beyond the Rio del Norte Slavery will
not pass, not only because it is forbidden
by law. but because the colored race there
preponderates IN the ratio Of ten to one over
the whites, and holding as they do the gov.
ernment and most of the offices IN their
possession, they will not permit the en-
slavement Of any portion Of the co!ored
race, which makes and executes the laws
Of the country" And to these remarks
add: The question, it will therefore be seen
on examination, does not regard the exclu-
sion of Slavery from region where it
now exists, but a prohibition against It's in
PRODUCTION where it does not exist, and
where, from the feelings ofthe inhabitants,
and the laws Of Nature, SIT is morally inn
possible" as Mr.. Buchanan says, .that it