Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1855-03-03
senator Wilson, of Massachusetts,.

We copy with much pleasure the following
,o,ters. which must prove satisfactory to doubt
:. friends. and shut the mouths of those who
have attempted to excite the fears of the South
a.. the reign of abolitionism was about to be
;,ouourated. As far the American party in
Massachusetts is concerned, Senator Wilson, in
his reply to Mr.. Ellis, leaves no chance for
ADMIT. 1.-THE American organization in Massa-
.husetts," he says-and he speaks with positive
..,vIedce-doss not embrace the question Of
,,arery among those for the regulation Of ochich
,..,. forued.,' His letter is in answer to the
foIovjng pointed inquiry by Vespasian Ellis,
.d;tor of the American Organ:
WASHINGTON Feb nth, 1856.
DEAR SIR: Referring you to my editorials for
.,a last two weeks, | have to ask you how far
have correctly represented your views in my
uamments upon your letter of Goth January,
sud the articles in the Boston Bee, which have
.oned , In other words, do you or not recognize
.he doctrine of state rights, so far as to permit
tho several states to regulate the question of
s,orerv in their own mode within their state
limits? Do you OF not entertain the opinion that
Concress has power to interfere with slavery in
the States! Do you or not recognise that
{. higher law" doctrine, which permits you as
Senator to disregard the binding obligations OF
the constitution? Does the " American organ
;zation, in Massachusetts, embrace the ques-
ton Of slavery amongst those for the regulation
If which that organization was formed?
Your answer at your earliest convenience will
obl;cs your obedient servant,
VEsPAsIAN ELLIS,
Editor American Organ.
Hon. HENRY wusos' United States Senate.
senate CHAMBER, Feb. 10, 1855.
DEAR SIR: My answer to your inquiries will
be brief and explicit.
LIST. fully recognize the doctrine Of State
rights in its application to slavery, we'll as to
any other matters of public concern.
The Virginia and Kentucky resolutions of
1898, 10 the main, as think, correctly set forth
that doctrine.
The whole subject of slavery within State
limits should be left absolutely to State legisla
ton.
I'd. My response to your second question is
included in my answer to your first, l do not
entertain the opinion that Congress has any
power to interfere with slavery as it exists under
State laws.
Sd. Every man who believes in God, must
necessarily believe that there is q law paramount
to all human law, and that this law is to be
obeyed by men in public and private life, rather
than any human law in conflict with it. But l
see nothing in the Constitution of the United
States, as l understand the Constitution of the
United States, which requires me, as Senator
from Massachusetts,, to do anything in conflict
with the law of God. If thought otherwise, I
would not take IN oath to support the Constitu
ton of the United States.
4th. The American Organization in Massa-
chusetts does not embrace the question of
slavery among those for the regulation of which
it was formed.
The people of Massachusetts, have fixed
opinions, in which most of the members Of that
fully concur, against the support |
or allowance of slavery by national legislation
They entertain the most profound conviction |
that the harmony and repose of the country, |
and the highest interests Of the master and the |
slave demand that the national government |
should be relieved from all connection with res
possibility for slavery, and that this disturbing
question should be left to the people of the |
States where il exists.
While they do not seek to impose these con-
victions and opinions upon their fellow-citizins
Of other states, or to prescribe them for not |
fully concurring in those convictions and OPT |
mons, they viii submit to no dictation or
prescription from any body of men, or section
IF the country.
/, as q Senator from Massachusetts, shall |
claim for the opinions of her people, all the
freedom Of utteranee, and all the influence upon
the action of Congress, and the administration
Of the government, which Senator from Vir-
ginia can claim for the opinions of the people Of
the ancient Dominion. Yours truly,
sse HENRY WILSON
yEsPAsrAS ELLIS Esq.