Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-01-30
The Convention then adjourned.
Letter from Hon. III. :. Geyer, the newly elec.
ted Senator from Missouri.

ted Senator from Missouri.
In the of the debate in joint session on Friday
Mr. Leslie having the floor for several hoIss TO assign
reasons for voting for Mr. Benton, he alluded to letter
from Mr. Geyer, which was said to be then in the city
Mr. Crockett thereupon and read from that letter
the following extracts being all that relate the sub
ect before the Legislature. The telegraph brings it to
us in these words:--St. Louis Republican.
There is known exist among the wings, in all parts
Of the Union difference of opinion the constitutions
al authority of Congress egislate the subject Of
slavery and, although you have not enquired oil me on
that subject IL is due TO you well as 10 myself, that
should announce my opinion. l. therefore, say, that
do believe trat Congress possesses constitutional
power establish prohibit slavery either in the Ter
rtores or the District of Columbia. Vi course, could
be induced To cooperate countenance such
legislation; but if the power existed, should be none
the less opposed to its exercise
In my Judgment no power, however plainly granted,
should be exercised by legislation, which can be OF no
bene TO the government people OF the United States
and yet conflicts with the interests and feelings Of
large number of the people and States OF the Unon
peciay where its tendency to defeat any more
OF the great ends for which the Constitution and Govern
ment ordained and established. And this is pre-
csey the description of legislation much pressed up
on Congress of late.
can benefit none the slave here does
nothing but TO conine him in slavery given district.
II nterdcts the territories both master and slave,
unless the will dissolve that relation
by conferring him MASTER and in that the
slave is not benefited, while the masters right is i'm.
paired.
But, while such legislation do good, is full
of positive evils Ii assas the character and threatens
to subvert the Institutions, of fifteen Sates-destroys
the confidence of their people, at once the security OF
their property and the justice OF the General Govern
ment-breaks up the harmony and tranquility OF the Un-
Ionarray portion in hostility another, and would
eventually bring on civil war, and the ACKNOWLEDGMENT
of the Republic
confident in his opinion OF the authority Of Congress to
interfere find, very experience eficc
tive admonton orbearance, unless he resolved
civil and dissolution of the .Union.
The peTseverng Efforts to procure the passage OF acts
prohibit slavery the territories and abolish il in the
District of Columbia, have brought fearful crisis.
AT the commencement Of the late session OF Congress,
one, think doubt that the OF those efforts
in either case would have been regarded and treated by
several OF the States open declaration Of civil
and the Union, with its manifold blessings, would
have persisted in a conflict of Nay, If the ques-
tons had been left open to agitation another year, this
Union could not have wthstood the shock. Iortdnate-
ly, better counses prevailed and the greatest Of all
lamtes averted by the passage OF the several bills
constituting what is called the compromise; and now
my deliberate opinion is that the best security can
have against the Of the imminent peril which
we have recently escaped Is to uphold that adjust
ment ip all its parts, and preserve IT inviolate.
Although the admission Of California, with her extern
boundaries and the acts for The abolition OF what
called the slave trade in the District of Columbia would
have been entirely acceptable me, unconnected
with the other constituents Of the adjustment rel
able assurance OF their passageyet, as whole,
from the beginning, now and shall be 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 sacrifice surrender Of principle IL
impairs no right OF State citizen of The United
States and triumph to any section party
people Of the Union another Good faith, well
as the preservation OF the harmony OF the Union, re-
qures that should be sustained by Of all parties
IL IL can be preserved invioate will restore harmo
ny and tranquility to all portions Of this Republic, by