Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-02-28
SENATE CHAMBER, !
February 10, 1855. {

Dear Sir : My answer to your inquiries will be
brief and explicit.
list | fully recognise the doctrine of State Rights
in its application. to slavery we'll any other
matter Of public
The Virginia and Kentucky resolution Of 1898,
in the main, think correctly set forth that doc
trIne.
The whole subject of slavery within State limits
should be left absolutely State legislation,
2d Ny response to your second question is in
Guided in nv to your first. l do not enter
tn the opinion that Congress has any power to in
tererc with slavery it exists under State law.
Sd. Every man who believes in a God must EeceS-
sary believe that there is a law paramount to all
human law and that this law is to be obryed by
men in public and private life, rather than any hui
man law in comfict aoHd it. But see nothing in
the Constitution Of the United States, as under
stand the Constitution of the United States, which
requires me, Senator from Massachusetts, to do
anything in conflict with the law of God i'll thought
otherwise, would take oath to support the
Constitution Of the United States.
.;h. The American Organization in Massachusetts
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 organization
fully concur, against the support or allowance OF STA
very by national legislation
They entertain the most profound conviction that
the harmony and repose Of the country, and the
highest interests of the and the slave demand
that the national government should be relieved
from all connexiOn with responsibility for slavery,
and that this disturbing question should be lett to
the people OF the States where it exist.
While they do rot seek to impose these convic-
tOnS and opinions upon their fellow citizens Of 9TH
States, to prescribe them for not fully concur
ring in those convictions and opinions, they will
submit to no dictation prescription from any body
OF men, section of the country.
|, as Senator from Massachusetts,, shall claim for
the opinions Of her people, all the freedom of utter
ance and all the Influence upon the action OF Con-
greSS and the administration of the Cover nlncnt,
which a Senator from Virginia can claim for the
opinions of the people Of the ancient Dominion.
Yours, truly, HENRY WILSON.
FEsPAsIAN ELLIS, ESQ.
We invite particular attention to the above letter.
Its substance obviously is this: |, Henry Wilson,
Wing and Know Nothing do not propose to disturb
slavery in the States; but 1 wish the General Gov
ernment relieved of ali responsibility for its sup
port allowance either in the Territories or in the
District of Columbia. I beliere in a higher lao
than the American Constitutions the Luecs passed
IN pursuance thereof: The American Know
Nothing organization does not embrace the ques-
ton of slavery among those for the regulation OF
which it formed 1t expresses no opinions on
slavery in the States, and consequently is not pledg
ed to the compromise of 1850, or to carry ont in
good faith Me tuqitice-slare Mo. /, Henry Wilson,
believe in State Rights do; that is, believe the
fugitive slave law ought to be repealed, and the
State of Massachusetts left free to deliver up fugi
tive slaves or not as she may choose. believe IN
circumscrbing slavery the States where it exists,
and thus in Sta,uing it Out Is not this the sub
stance of his letter, especially when considered IN
connection with his remarks delivered in the Senate
On Friday last given below?
Who owes any man III the free States thanks for
saying that he will disturb slavery in the States?
As well might thank the midnight robber who
should take purse, mareat US, and, for fear of
detection, fail to cut throat!
The following remarks were made by this same
man Wilson, in his place in the Senate, on Friday
last. We quote from the Washington Union
Mr.. Wilson defined his position i'll regard to the
subject of slavery. He ready to carry out eve,
ry provision of the Constitution; but he was oppos-
ed to the existence of slavery i'll the District OF Co
lunbIa or i'll the Territories of the United States,
anu he and those who acted with him were deter
mined to abolish it there They believed that they
shared the responsibility of its existence wherever it
was under the control of Congress, and they desir-
Gu to relieve themselves of that responsibility. He
earnestly desired the perpetuty of the Union, and