The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-04-05
= ExsSsnator Clemens Letter,

Ex-senator Clemens letter.
In our telegraphic column, week or two
since, we published an extract from alet-
ter OF Hon. Jere. Clemens, late a u. S
Senator from Alabama, giving his reasons
for his opposition TO the Nebraska bill.
The following, is his letter entire:
WASHINGTON, Feb. 25,. 1854.
MY DEAR S1R:-I have received your
lettesa in which you say that some Of my
friends are surprised at the position have
assumed upon the Nebraska question. and
desire to be made acquainted with the
Etoundss upon which my opposition was
based
had determined not to be forced into
tha political arena by anything an enemy
might say, but that rule has no application
TO the Misrepresentation Of friends. am
opposed to the bill OF Mr.. Douglas be.
cause 1t. is supported upon the avowed
ground that the people of a Territory
while it remains a Territory, may regu-
late the subject Of slavery for themselves.
'ehis, you will remember, was the doctrine
OF Gen. Cass' Nicholson letter, which was
repudiated by the entire South in l848.
The wings charged it upon him as griey-
ous political offsnse. and the democrats
cvaded the issue by placing different
coAstruciion upon the letter. Subsequent
H at the session Of fS49-50,, when Gen.
Cass. asoweG that the Northern construc-
tion, Of his letter was correct one, it was
ahonce disclaimed by the whole body o.
Soulhern Senators, including the present
Secretaryof war. Judge Douglas, in al
hiding TO the letter, stated that the doubts
entertsined by the then Senator from Mis-
sissippi, {Col DAvisl had caused him to
be Iukswarm. in the support Of Gen. Cass
Col. Davis instantly replied; ;s.I had doubts
Fears and apprehensions, which reached &c
q conviction that the Senator (Gen. Cass, ),
was wrong upon the question Of the power
took him as choice Of evils.
say ii in no terms of disrcspeet. The
Senator from Michigan knows though
Il was 9 wrong doctrine, ETC., Col. Davi:
was warmly sustained by Judge, Butler
and Col King emphatically declared tha
he never did, and never could subscribe
tothe doctrine held by Gen. Cass. There
WAS no Disagreement, that I am aware OF
among us-aA held that il was danger
Gus doctrine, and one which as efectually
excluded Us from the territories as the vii
mol proviso ITSELF. Let ma add that suct
is Tue opinion now entertained by the Pres
Ment Of the Uniisd States himself. But
few daYs since. in conversation with {
Northern Senator and myself. he gave
as his decided opinion that Douglas bill
was ga proposition in favor of freedom,
and added that If il should pass, although
we might absorb the whole Of Mexico, no
snother slave State would ever come int
The Upien. lie expressed great surpris
s he opposition il had met with from th
Nctik and equal surprise that the Sop.l
should be wiling 10 take il. agreed witt
Tim full and could not help recurring L
fhe slraiagems Gy which, the Greeks effect
ed The destruction Of Troy. - ...s.
The only quotation Mir. Calhoun wa
evef known 10 make, was sstimeo daaaoS
zef dona ferentcs, and if ever there wa
time that il should be repeated as a warn
3kg 70 The south, il is the present. a north
efh man, unasked and unsolicited, bring
forward q proposition professedly for ou
6snfft, but in reality an insidious attemp
iosteal away from US all the fruits Of gu
former trials and struggles. The tcitade
which has resisted every open assault j
about 10 bs Destroyed by the ioolish con
Hden6a Of IFS defenders in delusiye gif
which only serves TO convey the enem
within the walls.
= Ia 1856 the doctrine Of the south wa
telet Us alone. = We asked nothing fror
Eoukress-we wanted nothing; the EN-
4 - ~al