Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-02-25

JERRE. cLEMENs's REPLY.

WAsHINGToS, Feb !, 1854.
"MY DEAR Sin: Your letter of yesterday has
Just been received and agree with you in most
Of the suggestions. The less which is said upon
the subject of Slavery the better will it be for all
parties. and such am sure is the general senti-
ment of the South. We want nothing but TO be
let alone; we do not expect or desire that the
people Of the North should fall in love with Slave
ry. We believe the institution to be n good one,
you think differently; let each enjoy his own opin-
ion, and refrain from any interference with the
rights or proudces of the other. The sentiments
which you have heard me express on the stump
are not mine only, but those Of the Southern peo-
pie almost without exception. Agitation in any
form is what we object to- and the politician who
teammates q subject which We fondly hoped was
buried forever mscalculates sadly if he expects to
be received with favor by u.s.
! "All that / considered necessary in the Nehras-
ka bill was that it should be an exact copy Of the
New-Mexico bill, except, of course, the name and
description Of boundaries. You are aware that |
am fully committed against the doctrines Of Gen,
Cass's Nicholson letter, yet we both voted cheer
fully for the New-Nexco bill IL seems to he
common ground, upon which all reasonable men
might stand. 1t left the subject Of Slavery whore
the Constitution left it, and did not invade the
province Of the courts to decide in advance what
that Constitution meant.
81 am too much engaged with professional du
ties to pay much attention to politics. but l have
seen enough to be certain that the Nebraska bill
as reported by Mr. Douglas, Will pass, and thinl
| can forcsee the consequences. That they will b
anything but agreeable seems to clear to admit 0
II doubt. A Hoodgate will be opened, and tor
rent turned loose upon the country, which vii
sweep away in its devastating course every vestig
of the Compromise of 1850. do not speak Of it
immediate effects; look beyond. For the pres
ent it may be looked upon at the South rs n boon
and by portion Of the North as triumph owe
fanatcism The word peace will be upon the lip
of its advocates everywhere. Like the angel o
the Lord, who stood among the myrtle trees anC
said We have passed TO and fro through thu
earth and behold all the earth sittoth still and il
at rest sven so we shall have it proclaimed tha
the country is at rest-thnt all is peace; but
greatly fear they will soon find they have raised
spirit which viii wing its way through storm and
tempest to the funeral pyre of the republic.
"To abide in good faith by the Compromise o
1850 and the platform Of Baltimore is both the
post of safety and the post of honor. repeat w
of the South ask nothing but to be let alone. We
have not moved in this matter but it is we whC
must suffer unless northern men, who see and mp
preciate our position, will do us justice before
your own people. You can do this perhaps more
effectually than any man at the North, and If !
did not imply an unkind suspicion | would asl
you to do il. As it is do not doubt you, ant
consider the request unnecessary
Hoping to have the pleasure OF meeting yoI
very soon, remain, very truly yours &c,
Il ''JERRE. CLEMENS"
"John Van Buren, ESQ., New-York."
Il ~ y Tribune