Democratic banner., 1851-02-03
From the Mo. Republican.
LETTER FROM Mr., GEYER.

luVutSf aSsiHh IVA NOshi6 soA ~'1A' SSe-
lton--he alluded to letter from Mr.. Geyer.
(which was said to be then in the city. Mr.
Crockett thereupon rose and read from that let
tier ell those parts which relate to the subject be-
fore the Legislature. The first paragraphs Ofthe
letter-which was addressed to Senator Allen
ofSt. Charles county, in reply to one from him
present Mr.. Geyer's exact position before the
Whig party and the country, and ought to accom-
|pany these extracts. They will show that, while
he expressed the qualification which nomina-
Ition by the Wing party would give him, he was
careful to let them understand the exact ground
which be occupied upon the controlling question
l of the day. This letter was written early in
December.
This letter was written early in December.
The extracts senI by telegraph are here pre-
ssnted:
There is known to exist among the Wings, in
all parts of the Union, difference Of opinion on
the constitutional authority Of Congress to legis-
late on the subject Of slavery and, although you
Lave not enquired Of me on that subject, it is
due to you, as well as to myself, that / should
announce my opinion. /, therefore, say, that
do not believe that Congress possesses any con-
stituional power to establish, or prohibit, slave
~ either in the Territories or the District Of Co.
lumbia. OF course, l could not be induced TO
cooperate in, or countenance any such legisla-
ton; but, if the power existed, should be none
the less opposed 10 IFS exercise.
In my judgment, no power, however plainly
granted should be executed by legislation, which
can baDof no benefit 10 the Government or peo-
pie of the United States, and yet conflicts with
the interests ard feelings Of large number Of
1.-The people and States Of the Union, especially
where its tendencyis is 10 defeat any one, or more,
Of the great ends for which the Constitution and
lGovernment were ordained and established
And this is precisely the description ST legisla-
tisn so much pressed upon Congress Vi late.
| 1t can benefit no one, not even the slavej for
him, il does nothing but 10 confne him in slavery
Ito given district. II interdcts the new Terri
tories to both master and slave, unless the mas
ter will consent TO dissolve that relation by con-
Herring on him q new master, and in that case
the slave is not benefited, while the master
tight is impaired.
| But, while such legislation can do no good, il
is full OF positive evils. It nssails the charac-
ter and threatens 10 subvert The institutions, Of
Fifteen States destroys The confidence Of their
people, at once, in the security Of their proper
'lty ard the justice Of the General Government.
breaks up the harmony and tranquility OF the
UniOn-atrays one portion in hostilityto another,
and would eventually bring on civil war, ard the
dismenberment Of The Republic.
Every re1eciing man, however ayerse TO sla-
very, or confident in his opinion Of the authority
Iof Congress TO interfere, must find, in very re-
cent experience, an effective admonition 10 for
bearance, unless he is resolved on civil war and
a dissolution OF the Union.
u The persevering efforts to procure the passage
Of acts TO prohibit slavery in the territories, and
abolish it in the District Of Columbia, had brought
on fearful crisis, at the commencement Of the
late session Of Congress. No one, think, can
doubt that the success of those efforts, in either
case, would have been regarded and treated by
several of the States as an open declaration oI
civil war; and the Union, with lis manifold bless
lings, would have perished in conflict Of arms
Nay, if The questions had been left open TO agita-
ton another year, this Union could not have with.
stood the shOck. Fortunately, better counsels
prevailed, and the greatest Of all calamities was
averted by the passage Of the several bills con.
stituting what's called the Compromise; and now
my deliberate opinion is, that the best security
:, we can have against the recurrence of the i'm.
minent peril which we have so recently escaped
is, to uphold that Adjustment in all its parts, and
preserve il invioIate.
Although the admission of California, with
her extensive boundaries, and the act for the
abolition of what is called the slave trade in the
District of Columbia, would not have been en-.
ItiTely acceptable to me, unconnected with the 9th
er constituents of the Adjustment, or a reliable
assurance Of their passage, yet, as whole,
was from the beginning, am now, and shall be tc
the end, in favor of that adjustment. 1t is The
best settlement Of the controversy that could,
under all the circumstances, have been obtained
1t involves no sacrifice, or surrender Of prin.
|cipls. 1t impairs no right Of State or citizen
Of the United States, and secures no triumph to
any section, party or people Of the Union, over
another. Good faith, a. well as the preservation
Of the harmony of the Union, requires that il
should be sustained by men Of all parties.
If It can be preserved inviolate, It will re.
store harmony and tranquility to all portions Of
this Republic, BY rs.estsblishing the confidence
of our people in the justice Of the government,
and the good faith of their fellow citizens. If il
be oyerthrogn, no one can estimate the calami.
tie. that will almost inevitably bs brought upon
I'hs r country: d. c,...