The American patriot. (Clinton, La.) 1854-1???, 1855-03-07
Senator Wilson of NIassa chuse,,

For the convenience of some of our OI
Fogy friends, who have been letting off a preI
deal of gas about the election of Henry wi
son, by the Massachusetts, Legislature.
publish below his letter, in answer to the NJ
lowing pointed inquiries made by vespasi,l
Files, the Editor of the American Organ.
WASHINGTON, Feb. II, 1866
=, DEAN SIR; Referring you to my editorials ed
the last two weeks, have to ask YOU how N
have correctly represented your views in AL
comments upon your letter of Goth Janu.rt
and the articles in the Boston Bee, which,
have copied? In other words, do YOU or MI
recognize the doctrine of state rights, so farI
to permit the several states to regulate MI
question of slavery in their own mode will
their state limits? Do you or not entertain NJ
opinion that Congress has power to intertak
with slavery in the States? Do YOU or pI
recognize that 'higher law doctrine. whey
permits you as Senator to disregard the biuI /
ing obligations of the constitution? Does NI
american organization" in Massachusetts. enl
brace the question of slavery amongst thcl
for the regulation of which that organizatoI
was formed?
-FOUR answer at your earliest convenient
will obligc your obedient servant,
VESPASIAN ELLIS,
Editor American Organ
Hon. HENRY WILSON,
United States Senate.
SENATE CHAMBER, Feb. 10, 1856
DEAR SIR: My answer to your inquiries wi
be brief and explicit.
Let I f,11xy rooorn;,o A.. II
rights in its application to slavery, as well u
to any other matters of public concern.
The Virginia and Kentucky resolutions Il
1888, in the main, as l think, correctly 81
forth that doctrine.
The whole subject of slavery within Stat
limits should be left absolutely to State Legtk
latiop
I'd. Ny response to your second question I
included IN my answer to your first do nj
entertain the opinion that Congress has an
power tolnterierc with slavery as it'exists und3
State laws.
Sd. Every man who believes in God. mus
necessarily believe that there is a law paz
mount to all human law, and that this law ist
be obeyed by men in public and private it'll
rather than any human law in conflict with N
But see nothing in the Constitution of til
United States, as understand the CONSTITUTED
OF the United States, which requires me, as
Senator from Massachusetts,, to do anything n
conflict with the law of God. If thouG
otherwise. l would not take an oath to suppGI
the Constitution of the United States.
18th. The American Organization in MassachlE
sets does not embrace the question of SLAYER
among those for the regulation of which it WI
formed.
The people of Massachusetts have fixed opin|
ions, in which most of the members of thI +
fully concur, against the suppU
or allowance Of slavery by national legiA}
ton.
They entertain the most profound convictiaI
that the harmony and repose of the countn /
and the highest interest Of the master and tn
slave demand that the national governmeS
should be relieved from all connection will l
for slavery, and that this disturb
ng question should be left to the people ofh{
States where it exists.
While they do not seek to impose th& 4
and opinions upon their fellow. eli
zens of other States, or to prescribe them al
not fully concurring in those convictions OBJ
opinions, they will submit to no dictation
prescription from any body of men, or secta 1
Of the country.
!, as Senator from Massachusetts,, sM
claim for the opinions of her people, all b. /
freedom of utterance, and all the influence W 4
On the action of Congress, and the administer l
lion of the Government, which Senator from |
Virginia can claim for the opinions of the pse |
pie of the ancient Dominion.
Yours truly, HENRY WILSON
VEsPAsIAN ELLIS ESQ. ~
~ On Friday last says the Boston Tn |
ge]er while several nersons were standing upQg 4