Washington sentinel., 1854-03-28

BD- Our position, as public journalists, re-
quires that we should publish the following let
ters from the pen ofthe Hon. Jeremiah Clemens,
the one addressed to Nicholas Davis, jr, and
the other to the President of the United States
These letters, when carefully considered, can,
not be passed over as unimportant in the pre-
sent posture of public affairs. 4 The communi-
cation of the President which constituted the
basis of Mr.. Clemenss reply, is not before the
public, so that an important link is wanting
Yet there is enough to call forth deepregret on
the part of those who wish to restore peace and
quiet to the country by returning to the true
principles Of the Constitution.
From the Huntsville (Ala) Advocate.
Letter from Ex-senator Clemens--His Pc-
sition OIL the Nebraska Bill.
WASHINGTON, Saturday, FEB. 25, 1854.
Ny DEAR Sir: have received your letter,
in which yon 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 grounds upon which my
opposition was based.
had determined not to be forced into the
say; but that rule has no application to the
misapprehensions of friends. l am opposed to
the bill of Mr.. Dou las because it is supported
upon the avowed ground that the people of a
territory, while it remains territory, may reg
ulate the subject Of slavery for themselves.
This, you will remember, was the doctrine of
General Cass's Nicholson letter, which was
repudiated by the entire south in lS48. The
wings charged it upon him as q grievous polt-
ical offence, and the democrats evaded the is
sue by placing a different construction upon
the letter Subsequently, at the session Of
lSd9-50, when General Cass ayowed that the
northern construction of his letter was the cor
rect one, it was at once disclaimed by the whole
body OF southern senator's, including the pres
ent Secretary Of War. Judge Douglas, in al
luding TO the letter. stated that the doubts en-
! tertained by the then senator from Mississippi
! tColonel Davis had caused him to be luke
warm in the support of General Cass. Colonel
Davis instantly replied: 81 had doubts, fears,
and apprehensions. which reached to convic-
ton, that the senator General Cass) was wrong
upon the question of the power of the terrific
rial inhabitants: yet sir, l took him as choice
OF evils. | say i in no terms Of dsrespect
| The senator from Michigan knows ! thought it
was wrong doctrine &C. Colonel Davis was
warmly sustained by Judge Butler, and Colonel
King emphatically declared that he never did
and never could subscribe to the doctrine held
by General Case. There was no disagree
ment, that am aware OF, among us; all held
that 1t was a dangerous doctrine, and one
which rs effectually excluded us from the Ter.
rltorles as the Wilmot proyiso itself. Let me
ada fNot saot ,s he opinion noy entertained
/ oy the President Of the United States himself
B'H q ter days since, IN conversation oiM a
| northern senator and myself,Ae gage IL as has
aec'ded opinion that Douglasis biz aoas I" pro.
position u tqror ct freedom and added hat
/ W should pass, although ,ce might absorb the
'ehofe y Mertco, not another Stare State pould
I.erer come INTO The Cnioa lie expressed great
surprise at the opposition it met with from the
north, and equal surprise that the south should
oe wiling TO take it. agreed with him fully,
ana could not help recurring to the stratagem
Troy,
Inc only Quotation Mr.. Calhoun was ever
known TO make was Timeo Danoos, ct dona
Je'sn'es; and if ever there was a time that it
should be repeated as warning to the south,
It Is the present. A northern man, unasked
and unsolicited, brings forward proposition
Professedly Tor our benefit, but in reality an in
sidious attempt to steal away from us all the
fruits OF our former trials and struggles. The