Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-09-14
LETTER FROM Mn. CONRAD.

The Hon. c.. M. CONRAD recently appointed
Secretary of War, has addressed Letter to his
former constituents of the second Congressional
district Of Louisiana from which we make the
following extract
cit proper that, in surrendering the trust which you
conhded to should render you account Of the
in which have discharged its duties The present ses
sion Of Congress has been unusually poraced and aboou
but sorry say that the country has derived thus far
but little benefit from its labors The time and attention Of
Congress have been completely engossed by the questions
growing Of the territory acquired from Mexico connected
with the institution of slavery, that all other subjects have
been entirely overlooked.
Believing, have always done, that no legislation
could permanently introduce slavery into this territory have
always considered these questions applicable to m as rather
of speculative than practical character and have therefore
not fully participated in the heat and excitement which their
discussion has occasioned
"Opnions in regard to the questions may be classified
follows
"l There are those who SEEK through the direct agency
Of the Federal Government to introduce slavery into this
territory
60 Those who wish, by the means, to prevent this
introduction.
60 Those who resist any interference with the question by
the Federal Government and would leave the inhabitants
Of the country the exclusive right to decide it.
To the latter class belong have always maintained
that the subject of slavery, whether in the States or in the
Territories should be absolutely excluded from the halls Of the
National Legislature This is the only principle on which
the South cam in all times and under all circumstances safely
rely Even if were satisfied therefore, (Which am far
from beng that Congress could by interfering in the pre-
sent CASE introduce and permanently establish slavery in
portion Of this territory question much whether this partial
benefit would compensate the South for the abandonment of
principle essential to its security and to the repose and
harmony Of the Union.
These my individual views. But, belonging as did
to delberatve body in which had right expect
that his opinion should exclusively prevail have al
ways declared my readiness modify those views SO as to suit
those Of Others and to vote for almost any plan of settlement
(no involving manifest violation Of princple) which held
out reasonable prospect Of success.
"Furher than thisI could CO. could not consentto
adopt any particular scheme sine qua would not
proclaim that the adoption ofhis that geographical line
measure of doubtful consituonaly and still doubtful
expedency) was the ultmatum of the South.
The Union is too great blessing to be staked any
such Of hazard and was commissioned by my
siuens to play it, consider too that the prolongation Of
this discussion in itself calamity alarms the South
and agaes the North alenaes each from the other, and
augments the number and influence Of those who an
endless war against slavery and whom this discussion has
raised to apotca importance which, without it, they never
could have attained"