New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-09-27
MR. BAYARD CLARKE ON THE NEBRlS-
KA QUESTION.
WrsrcHrsrrR. NY Sent. Il

DEAR SIR; In recent letter with which you hon.
ored me, the following passage occun:
AS the time IL approaching for The Wings OF this
Congressional District to present candidate for Con-
Qeee, and A. Your name Is prominently spoken OF In
connection with that Office, your friends are DESTROYS
TO know yot views in reference to the al-absorbng
question which agta:es the country. viz the re-
peal OF the Missouri Compromise
Accompanying your letter received also copy OF
two resolutions adopted at meeting OF certain dele
gates of which You were one) TO the Congressional
Convention retired TO- which append below, 60 as
to embrace the whole subject in my reply.
Before proceeding to answer the particular inter-
rogatory propounded or the matter contained In the
resolutions il proper TO be stated that so far as my
name has been suggested in connection with the nom
nation for Congress am indebted solely to the par
TALLY OF friends and TO efforts expression of my
own. And in order that may be clearly understood
in regard 10 the sentiments Gbout TO be expressed,
wish TO record in the most emphatic terms my disap
probation Of the prevailing system OF making pledges
nepdpe the election, or preliminary 10 the nomina-
non of political conventions 1t was one of TaIley
rands ssyings that words were given US to conceal
our thoughts Had he lived in these days, with ord-
nary opportunities of political experience he might
have said with equal junction. that pledges only
made 10 be broken. IL public private cJti-
zen has better testimonial to offer than the prom
ises extorted BY expediency be is worthy Of conf
dent recude repel as insult, any proposition to
exact conditions binding the legislator citizen and
lie who would Uphe satDgly comply with such ofen-
sive reGuistons would just as readily disregard them
when inteTest or policy dictated disobedience The
deep agitation which dlsturbs the country 10 the
direct consequence of pledges recklessly made, and
still more unsorupuously violated.
Having thus promised, | shall proceed to state my
views Concerning the " Nebraska biz and the Fu-
"eitive Slave Law, without reference 10 a Domina.
ton for Congress or for auy other Office but ia my
simple relation OF private citizen, who seeks
higher ambition greater glory than TO serve his
country in that most honorable, when well discharged,
Of all capacities.
The repeal Of tie Missouri Compromise was the
most fagrsrt and daring outrage upon pghted legs-
tive faith which our history furnishes example of
audacious wrong, the ntamy and injury OF which time
can neither eradicate nor extiDgush. In the words
Of Washington, when writing Of the treason of Ar
mold, it war an hct Of "perfdious villsiny' Thirty
four years ago, after fearfdl struggle, which
vulsed the Union from lis center 10 lts circumference
Missouri ~ss admitted az Stale, upon the express
condition that Slavery be excluded north of the
parallel 3Co 30. The struggle by which that event
was contaminated wat protracted and slar nng-the
marked and dangerous after the adoption of the
Federal Constitution. II was regarded rs Southern
victory. The &C. Yves slgned by Southern President
and advocated by tho most eminent Southern states
men, among whom Lowndes and Calhoun were con-
spcuous So uni, er.sl was the indignation through
out the North at tie ODcessloD 10 Slavery S0I o The
prescribed line that scarcely single Northern Repre-
sentative who voted for il returned TO Congress
That act assumed higher dignity and import than
ordinary legislation for being the result of the first
serous coll between the Slave and Free States, II
was considered and treated a solemn compact-a
moral covenants obligatory as the Constitution IT.
self Hence when The authors aud abettors of the
cent nefarious repeal speak OF the Missouri Conpro-
mise as q law "repeala0le like any other statute,
tbey stultify themselves and deliberately falsify his
tory II remained for political neophytcs OF this day
"a discover the uncousiitGiionaty of compact sane
titled by more than Il third of a century of uninter
rupteo acquiescenoe, and sealed and redined by the
wisdom and virtue OF the purest and best statesmen OF
the country and the age. These deinagogues have
sought to attain rs uDenviabe a notorety IN inter-
preiirg the Constitution as the MOrmons have IN pro
isney attempting to desecrate the Holy Scriptures,
BY Ginning new revelations. They both belong 10
the same order of Latter-Day Saints, and have
equal claims 10 virtue and integrity.
have 10 hesitation, therefore, in saying that the
Nebrask a bill of denominations should be "uncond-
" tionelly and Immediately repealed, Gno that my
best Efforts shall no directed to that end, whether
occupy public or private position.
The Proposed notifications of the Fugitive Slave
law meet my unqualified approval Whatever differ
ences Of opinion may exist III regard to the extent and
obligation of that clause IN the Constitution respecting
the rendition cf "fugitives from labor service,
candid men will deny that the law it stands is
offensive the moral sense, feelings and convictions
Of the whole commonly where it has to be executed,
anc that cardinal principle Unpopular liberty and per-
sonal rights is shameflly wronged by its enforce
ration of Trial by jury.
Ia conclusion, let HE add the times are p0rtent0us
and pregnant with events. When territorial aggrand-
iz.ment is openly avowed the means and motive
for augmcntIg slave power; when the acquisition OF
Cuba Mexico and Central America toe subjects
OF pubc discussion 10, king TO the same admitted de-
sign when the reopening Of the African slave trade
is boldly preached, and an International Fugitive
Slave law announced as q measure demanded by the
South as feature OF GovernWentdp policy; when these
things are passing before our eyes, say he must be
willfuly blind who does not that sectional inter-
ests are sefsbly arrayed against the harmony and in
tegrity of the Union through the aggressons of the
slave power. Against this disastrous and suicidal
policy il is the duty not only of the North but Of all
American fIeemen, to stand in firm and unylelding
opposition. To do this, needs courage and resolu-
toI-the one successfully TO resist aggression and
the other clearly cefne and firmly to maintain the
right. There should be more tampering
with that spurious Democracy, which is ali
things 10 all men, only the better To betray
each cause in turn. The day of concession
has gone by. If the treemen of New-iork are only
true 10 themselves in the coming contest, the Empire
of popular indignation, which has lately Numbered
along the White Hills OF New Hampshire, the pine
forests of Maine, the Green Mountains of Vermont,
and the praries of Iowa. i am no agitator; no IA
matte; no alarmst; no sectional partisan. II is my
pride and boast to be an American citizen, in its
broad and national sense ! am proud Of this great
State in which was born; of its extended empire;
its vast resources; its noble energies; its splendid
achievements; its growing grandeur; but 1 am
prouder than all Of its popular institutions and Us
free principles.
BAYXRD CLARKE.