The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-09-21
MANSFIELD Sep. Sd, 1853.

. DEAR SIR:--Y our favor OF August IL, has net |
received an early reply on account of my absence
from home, tor tie month past, in New York
from whence returned but yesterday.
In your note, you as a citizen of the State of
Ohio, PROFOUND to me interrogatcriss touching my
views certain subjects of public policy-State
and national; and request my reply with view to
its publication. Ifthe circumstance of my posi-
ton candidate, gives to my views of public pol
icy any material Importance, peculiar int-rest,l
am entirely willing TO make them known to you
or ary other citizen of the State of Ohio honestly
desiring to be informed thereof. And thus recog-
nzing the propriety Of your interrogatonsI cheer
fully respond to them,and in the same order as they
are propounded.
1. Lam opposed to the extension ofsIavery any,
where, or in any manner.
2. We're my voice to be heard. it should favor
the adjustment of slavery, aud of the trade in
slaves in the District of Columbia.
8. In my opinion, the nature of slavery, it be-
ing in derogaton of natural rights, demands strict
construction of the constitutional provisions concer-
ming it. And, that, inasmuch as the institution de-
pends for its existence on the municipal laws of
the slave States the General Government, hav-
ing no agency in its creation ought to be divorced
from its support.
| 4. As to the Fugitive Slave Law of 1885,
While [ would be unwilling to disturb the provs-
ions of the Constitution which the law is based,
there are, nevertheless, various provisions and re-
quirements of the law itself to which I cannot
yield my assent. For, were my views to be con-
suited, l would insist, a sine qua non; that such
| lo
| Treasury Of the Nation from becoming in any man.
ner, or under any circumstances, chargeable with
the fees aud costs accrung in the prosecution, un-
der this law for the recovery of what is said to be
individual property and 1 would thus insist not
much because of the unjust drafts upon our com
mon treasury uuder this provision of the law, as
because of the implied recognition therein of the
nationality of slavery.
And even more stfenuousIy would maintain
that of congress should ever require, much
less prescribe pena lties to compel the private citi
zen of free State to lay aside, demand, his
| own lawful pursuits for the purpose of adingin
the recovery of the fugitive property of another
Consequently, cannot favor the perpetuity of
law which presents features so Objectionable and
repulsve in themselves; and which, if not opposed
the Constitution on which the law is based.
| s. Concerning improvement of Rivers and
| Harbors:-To my mind it is manifest that, in
country vast ours, traversed by rivers and in
tersected by lakes of such wonderful magnitude
and extent TO be- in point of fact las among the
several States) international highways, their need
fu improvement, for the purpose of convenience
in commerce and safety in navigation, devoves up
on the General Government; not only as a thing
erpedient, but matter of duty, in the exercise
of its constitutional functions.
| 6. In State politics; IN the points concerning
which you ask, 1 reply that am in favor of more
| economical administration of the State Govern
ment.
7. And of taxing individuals aud corporations
alike.
Lasfly-You ask if l am in favor of enacting
law restricting the traffic in spirituous liquors. en-
bracing theprincipIes ofthe Maine Law?
To this reply by an unequivocal nf1irmative;F For
il to shield cur youth from temptation and to de-
| liver them from evil-if to protect our people
from toe desolatipg encroachments of Intemper-
ance-if to Withstand the certain tendency to the
corruption of private and to the debasement ofpub
lie morals, do not fall within the proyuce of Iegit-
innate legislation, then confess that have stran-
gely misconceived the solemn duties of Christ
ian Statesman and the high perogatives off Chris
tisn Government. Re-
These sentiments / have hong entertained, and
have often publicly advocated
Though personally a stranger to you, permit me
to subscribe myself respectfully, Your Friend,
| aea ' ISAAC ]. ALLEN.