Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-03-06
VINO II RIGHT.


think that duty TO ourself authorizes to vindi-
cate the course We have pursued in maintaining
that the discussion Of the Slavery question OF Fu-
gitive Slave Law, should by no means be 90 far
mixed up with party to make that one OF the test
questions OF political orthodoxy. some OF our
political friends have differed with us IN TINS op'n-
ion, and have gone SO far as to denounce us ior
having insisted upon freedom Of opinion on this
subject.
We now consider, and We think it will be ack-
no,v,c,red that re have high authority f1koccupy-
ing the posi,ion we have assumed. Mr. GErER, the
talented whig, who now occupies the place Of Col.
BEsroS, a. U. s. Senator, stands on the very same
platform and is battling for the very same princi
ple, that have been advocated by the Hawk-E Eye.
His views on the question differ from ours on the
main subject, but the principle which he contends
for is the same, will be seen by perusal Of his
letter which we attach to this article.
That there may be no mistake on this subject,
we extract two paragraphs from the Hawk-Eye,
which demonstrate our position to be the same As
the one settled upon BY Mr. GEYER. 1.-The is right,
we ars. We might take other extracts from our
paper, rs we have ssmore Of the same sort" but
let these suffice for the present.
In the Hawk Eye Of December 10, we say
sThe duty ofwhigsi is plain. If,hey would sue
coed as party, they must step on one common
platform-whigs for the fugitive slave law and
wings opposed to it must agree to differ while th0s
standing together, the local subject OF slavery
by-gones must he ty-gnnes-whigs must DC wings
and confde in each other-occupylng such posi-
ton and being thus united they will become invin
chile as party"
IN the number for January 2, we say
&c MI
show that wings may be and should be united IN
carrying out their legitimate political principles,
whatever may be their notions about the iugNiSe
slave law. Opposition to this law cannot make
wing less whgss
For the avowal Of such principle, we have been
denounced as an abolitionist, efforts have been
made to curtal the ciriation of the Hawk-Eye, and
threats have been made to start another Wing pa
per in this place. for the purpose Of breaking down
the Hawk.Eye. We have uttered no complaint at
such treatment. but have calmly waitedto witness
the issue. We hope the letter of Mr. GEYER will
open the eyes Of our Wing opponents, and lead
them TO see that the course they have pursued If
persisted in must be suicidal to the Wing party.
Here il the letter Of Mr. Geyer:-
ST. LOUIS, Feb. I, 1851.
Hon. Jas. o. Broadhead:
DEAR S,R-llearn, with some surprise, that
am represented a. having presented new test OF
orthodoxy in the Wing party, by the expression Of
nv opinion as tn the constitutional power OF Con-
gress, on the subject Of slavery. know OF moth
ing from which such an inference could reason
ably be drawn. Seeing that Ientertained the same,
opinion ever since 1919, knowing that Mr. Clay did
not concur with me; and yet believe | was the
first public man to nominate him for the Presiden-
cy in public body, and that Ihave uniformly sup
ported him ever since. Indeed never ask the
question Of any Wing candidate, and believe have
voted for great number who conceded the power.
This everybody knows. who knows anything Of my
course. And during last summer, took some
pains to pronounce against the proposed test. l
voted for Mr. Darby without asking or knowing his
opinion on that subject. Of which am ignorant to
this day. voted for every Whig elected from
this county, ignorant ofthe opinions OF any except
about four Of them, two of whom know differed
from me on the question Of power. Ishould have
pursued the same course IL ! had been in the sec
ond or third districts, By voting for the Wing can
didates against the field, have always done for
Mr. Clay, who is Wing enough for me. II have
never regarded an opinion either way on the con-
sttutiona estion referred 10, as the test OF Or
thodoxy in either party.
Mr. Crockett is, and has been in possession oil
my views on that subject. have re-statea them
to him in letter this evening, 20 which ! refer
you Very respectfully yours,
II. 8. GEYER.
p. S.-You are At liS1rty to use this letter at
your discretion. Ihave no concealments.