Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-04-10
FRANKLIN. March 81, 1851.

FRANKLIN, March 81, 1851.
To DAVID w. ODELL, WILLIAM SHAFFER. Frederick
HENDRIX and other Democrats of the Fifth Congress
sional District:
Gentlemen Having been called upon through
communication published in the State Sentinel, for my
opinions upon certain questions therein presented en-
brace this opportunity of giving publicity my
ments the subjects referred TO, with perhaps
Others recognize the right OF individuals 10 nterro-
gate those who NAV be applicants for public favor upon
political Subjects and deny that any of those ap1
cants, when asked for his opinions has right to be-
come " num-"
L. answer to your first and second Undergraduates
repy-that have heard of objection to any of the
so-called " compromise measures within the bounds Of
this dstr. (and but little any where ese) except the
fugitive slave law" The Constitution OF the United
States the right pursue and recap
tnre their slavesand requires that persons owing
vice shall be deIiUered up those to whom sucrvce
is due. willing 10 abide by the provisions of the
Constitution, and carry its Compromises. So far
have been able to examine the fugitive slave law,
believe 1t but secures to masters their Constitutional
right. If it does more, the IGV should not be
demned Believing that 1t only does this, should
be in favor Of repeating it. AT the time do
regard it sacred forbid further amendment
modification Like other laus experience may prove it
defective. Should be your representative should at
all times feel it my duty to regard the will of the dis
rct-and neither wantonly assail any legal provision
or refuse TO modify it according their wishes.
In answer to your third question: have favor
ed the Wmot Proviso and have always deprecated the
ag:atation of the slave question. 1t will be recoeced
that in 1915 while canvassDg the district Democrat
c elector, spoke Of the Wmo PrOyiso useless,
unnecessary, and reratOu method of settling question
which would certainly be settled in the same way
well without it with it, California has been admit
ted a State into the Union, without slavery and with
out the Wilmot Provso. The people of Oregon, Utah,
and New Mexico, have already declared their aversion
to slavery. look upon the question already settled,
that slavery is extend 10 any of territories
and hence still think the Provso not only useless but
provoking the South As the citation of the slave
question, believe it out Of the porer Of Congress 10
prereHt IT, The people led to believe that the pas
sage of the compromise measures" would forever quiz
ct this agitation. Has it been so! Not at all. Al
though less heated the agitation little less constant
during the last session of Congress than it had been be-
fore. Even now the papers speak of the determination
of South Carolina to secede from the Union expect
this agitation continue long slavery exists the
Union lasts. While the free States have such
sion to slavery and the Southern States remain
tremey sensitive upon the subject, it would be folly to
expect 10 suppress agitation. The only hope have
for the preservation of our glorious Union lies in the
devotion of the great OF men to the Constitution
and its Compromises in the North aud IN the South and
far may he expected in the way Of aayng excite
ment by manly determination to stand up to is sacred
instrument than be done by denouncing lanaiicism;
denying the right Of petition, destroying the freedom OF
speech or OF the press, or crngng TO the arrogance OIL
Southern dcfaiion. While extreme iattens and
lourshcs under dcnuncation and deprivation, the other
becomes the arrogant and exattng, the more you
become servilc and yielding.
4tf-'sIf the Presidential election should unhapply
come before the House" and should be your represen-
tative. should for the candidate who was tie
choice Of the Democrats OF the District OF the State,
If his shall he among the presented to us-il not
would vote for the man men among the candidates
presented, that supposed would be most acceptable
my constituents and who might be agreed upon by
majority el the Democrats in the House.
9TH Will you vote against appropriations for
rivers, harbors docks &c, in all possible cases" To
this say nO-althOugh i infer an affirmative answer
might have pleased you better. Our government has
been for years improving rivers and harbors and erect
ing docks, &C. and the interest of the whole country
ques that these improvements should be continued and
the works preserved from falling into dilapidation.
While say this am not in favor OF extravagant ap-
propratons-to every Object, so as to burhern the peo
pie either with increased taxation create national
debt. In all cases, the object should be ''ceary of
Constitutional character" and the amount necessary
for the public good"
Having said thus much the bec referred in the
nterroeatorcs-permit me- express my disapproba-
ton OF the seeming effort to manufacture a Demo-
cratic creed Not a word is said, question asked
about the principles and policy which have marked every
Democratic administration from JeIerson's Folks. 1
protest against this destruction of the ancient and hon
ored principles which have been the raying cry OF our
party FIR the last half cenIuespecally at the present
when opponents have ceased 10 contend against
them or to advocate their former policy. At the very
moment when we have gained the most signal triumph
of political principes-it proposed silently abandon
position and lose all the advantages of victory. Es
peciay do protest against the substitution OF the new
issues proposed in the questions have just answered,
for the time honored issues OF party. do first,
because, if abandon glorious old principles,
opponents, always bankrupt in that ne would seize upon
them and that they had always belonged them;
and secondly because they would say truth, that
attempting 10 steal capital from the administration
OF Willard Fillmore This is emphaticsly their thunder
take this from them and what have they eft2 don't
believe 1t right rob this poor administration IN this
way and feel perfectly satisfied with the Baltimore plat
form. No better be adopted
But gentlemen and iellow-ctzens, allow me to state
further, that have a communication from Judge
Wick, which chinsd IN Nth, by another from a. +.
Morrison Esq, which, presume, suggested the issues
presented in Your nerroeaves. Both Of these gentle
men aver their soundness upon these subjects, and by
vague hints of unsoundness attempt alarm the district
and operate against other aspITants.
4 The Judge ''kn0srs' himself to be sound. Well,
that subject of the 'Wilmot Proviso he IS
not any SOuRder than he ought 30 beor than 9TH
ers, against whom he would raise suspicion. know
that that subject he is sound en- myself
This say without fear of discontinue. The Other
gentleman steps out oil his way 10 give It as has opinion,
that ''no aboonst be elected in the district
suspected should be nominated" For what pur-
pose! Certainly to cast suspicion upon some one Of
more oil his competitors Tor nomination.
While admit the probable truth of his declaration,
would say there other characters who can never
be elected in the district and that il is not honoae to
suspicious and false impressions of the character
of a political opponent.
understand this to be the gist Of the communications
relerred publish their soundness some new
bend. might be in their way. in obtaining nomination
These topics selected mislead the public-and
prevent the democracy of the district from thinking OF
other things Of Importance which have long
been disregarded and which hare determined shall
be hereafter respected
There used to be an old principle in party called
equality 1t maintained that all men had equal rights
we'll to the bonors and emouments of Office, TO
protection This principle has been regarded in
this district. Practically man has Alright TO 90 To
Congress- from this district who does not reside IN nd
annapolis or at least in Marion county prescriptions
in any of Marion county TO ereR think Of Dem
nation So well satisfied they Of this exclusice right
furnish Congressional material that there are, now,