New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-12-21


HENRY nURD, > nagN4Tu CHASE,
j. P. HILL, J. 6. HoYr
SYLVESTER Fl. FRENCH
Mr. Atrood's Reply.
NEw-BosToN, Saturday, Nov. so.
GENTLEMEN: Ihave the honor to acknowledge
tbe recept of your letter of the 20thi inst in which
YOU were pleased to allude to my position before
the people of this State requesting an expression
of nv views in regard to the extensiono OF Slavery
into the Territories, the present Fugitive Slave
Law. and my future course if elected to the Office
OF Chief Magistrate OF the State.
1t is due to myself to say that, having retired
to a small farm to enjoy the quiet of private
life. have no soicitude for public office. Nor
am | insensible to the high trust and arduous re-
sponsbiities of the Chief Magistrate OF the State
But, as this nomination has come to ME unsought
and unasked, have accepted it as an honorable
token of the confidence reposed in me by my
friends. Should | be elected by the people to
that office at the election shall endeavor so
to discharge the duties OF that station as to show
that the confidence reposed IN me has not been
misplaced.
In early life imbibed sacred regard for Con-
stitutional Liberty, Human Rights, Universal
Freedom, and the good OF the Race. And these
sentiments have been strengthened and increased
by the events OF many years up to the present
hour. ] trust have learned so much OF the Cos
pe of the Son Of God, that wherever an indiyldu,
al of the human race is found, look upon that
person as my brother, without regard to his ma
tional origin. And by these cherished sentiments
hope may be directed to the latest hour OF my
To your first inquiry, Whether I am opposed to
the Extension of .SIaUery, [ reply that having for
many wears regarded the whole system as agreat
moral, social and political evil, inconsistent with
the spirit of our republican institutions, and dan
gerous to the well being of the Union, am IN the
language of the New Hampshire Legislature OF
1919, firmly and unalterably opposed to the iuf
Their extension of Slavery over any portion Oh
American soil now free Believing also IN tne
language of the same Legislature that " Congress
has the Constitutional power 10 prohibit the intFoI
duction of Slavery into any territory no" ifee,
am in favor of the use OF that power IN the TERRI
toriao racantlI acquired by the United States
where legal enactments in the organization OF ter
ritorial Governments have not rendered IL aoso
lutely impractlca0le. m, ., ~, d. ,,;e,,, j.,
relation TO the present Fugtttre STARE Lar am
frs, to saw that while recognize the validity OF
49, cIonse nj the e. s. Constitution which pro-
vides that persons held to service or labor IN one
State ascaning into another shall be deliveredu
~, cio;,,, nj the person to whom such service or
lahor NAV be due +" cannot but believe that the
present law contains provisions not warranted by
tha letter OF the Constitution, nor necessary 20
carry out the spirit OF its requirements 1t does
seem to me- that the trainers OF that instrument,
when they guaranteed Trial by Jury al in all ERIN
NAL prosecutions, and in 9" all suits at Common
Law involving more than twenty dollars, did not
intend to deny the right to such trial IN cases
involving the liberty OF person for life.
Inasmuch as the present law denies this right
to all persons claimed as fagitives from service,
and also imposes obligations and services upon
the people OF the Free States, which, in my judg-
ment, neither the Constitution, nor Conscience re-
quire at their hands, | cannot give the measure
my support Regarding many Of It's provisions
as unprecedented, oppressive, and liable to be
perverted to the ensayement OF free citizens,
shall, whatever station may occupy, favor all
proper, peaceful and constitutional measures FOR
its repeal or essential modification.
Ardently hoping that this and all other ques-
tons which now disturb the harmony of our com
mon country, and spread dark cloud over the
face Of this glorious Union, may be settled Ia
manner worthy OF Christian and Republican
people,
l an, with the highest respect,
Yourtellov.ciiizen. -,
To Hon. JoHS Il. WHITE, and Others.
This correspondence had not been
printed when we were in ew-Hampshire
on Wednesday, but its purport had leaked
out, and created an intense commotion
among the managers Of the Democracy,
who had been down on Mr.. Atwood in
body to frighten or coax him into signing
oil, b,