The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-10-27

ors and very few of what called in Washington ma
tona men, Mr. John Cochran the surveyor OF our port
the principal charge Of this branch Of our poes
which may aptly be termed the heavy business He was
a member of our State venon and rather took IT for
granted he had to this.
As now understand, you object to our occupy
ing now the position occupied in l845 upon the sub
ect of slavery. That position then and now defined
follows tf
Rssolped That while the democracy Of New York win
faithfully adhere all the compromises of the constitu
ton and maintain the reserved rights OF the States they
deem this suitable occasion to declare their fixed hos
tty to the extension of slavery to free territory
Which branch Of this resolution do you object to- in the
name Of the national democracy Are they against the
compromises of the constitution the reserved rights of
the States do they desire extend slavery TO free ter
rory and is their feeling intense either OF these
three subjects that they cannot act with democrats
who agree with them everything else, but differ on
thesef
Again: you object to the following remarks of mine
which you quote:
In the first place. upon the subject of slavery, the prac
teal question bow prevent the extension Of slavery
free territory That question upon which we have
right TO act and it is question which affects the State
Of New York For example: under the constitution, In
the apportionment of representatives every five slaves
three persons consequently STAKEHOLDER who
five slaves is represented as four persons But man
the State of New York. though he may ten millions
of property is merely counted person. This an
unequal superintendent but it one of the compro-
mses of the constitution and which we agreed to be bound
by and which must acquiesce in SO far as existing
States concerned But when you propose to convert
territory into slave territory propose to increase
that inequality upon which is based your representation in
Congress which lays your taxes, which makes treaties,
which declares war; and affects the whole property OF the
country 1t is, then, question with which We have
right to meddle and when undertake 10 declare an
opinion upon it, it should be our true opinion.
"Ths is In abolition II ia the ground we took
in lS47 and l84S, and have adhered to It. This does
necessarily require Congress TO prohibit slavery in the
Territories because that may be accomplished under the
operation Of the Kansas bill The settlers themselves may
prohibit slavery but If they should not then when the
Territory is formed into State and applies for admission
you have again the right 10 raise the question Uhcer is
fairly formed into slavs State and VT not you hare The
right to prevent from coming into the Union until presents
iseV utth a free constitution, you choose"
ought to state that the report of my remarks was
taken by the Herald reporter without my even know
ing there reporter present and of course with
out my knowledge or consent suspect il was done
by Seward men, who thought would say something
in Oswego that would hurt us in New York On look
ing the report am amazed at its fidelity so far
as trust my own memory. 1t is wonderful ex-
hibtion of skill and accuracy reporting and reec
ton do that in advocating platform said
anything that would hurt anywhere AS Oswego is in
the north Of State and New York in the
IRENE SOUTH convinced Platforms as broad
Statet may lap over admit And, now have you
read the extract that you quote In 1t say to the people
OF Oswego that they have right If they choose when
Kansas applies for admission into the Union if it
slave State to raise the question whether it fairly
formed into slare State Do the national democracy deny
this right? If they do the people of Oswego will not next
year with the national democracy. ask you TO give
this note prompt insertion in your columns. might
also ask you to publish all Of my remarks Oswego
the subject Of slavery and the South But they have
doubt already reached your readers through the COL
IF tha he hoth ~ xvbi
papers published them without my knowledge request
My request is simple ask you to read the
you do publish Allow add that the citizens of New
York propose this fall naugurate good State
ment-a government that will complete magnificent
system of internal improvements protect State treas
ury uphold State credit relieve the occupations OF
our citizens from unconstitutional restraints and their
property from legislative conscaton and place the adopt
ed citizen wherever he may have been born and at what
ever altar he may worship, on footing of entire equality
with the native. We shall thus substantially provide
for the happiness and honor of one-sxth of the en-
tire population of the United States This is much to
do State election Although not strictly national
numbers perhaps, give little claim to be called
nation Of ourselves and if should be, you antici
pate unfortunate not to take part in giving good
general next year to the confedeacy the
more important that should now provide good State
government for ourselves The difficulty occurred in
ls4s; but unfortunately, not able in ls47 to
make similar provision against It. Every candidate
our State ticket now except Judge and the canal
missioner openly and warmly the advocate of Martin
Van Buren, in ls4s They proud of it then, and
believe do them no injustice when add that they have
been prouder of it every day since Now permit to
ask you question:
Does the Washington Union desire ticket elected
defeated State seasonably that electors may know
and after election will tell you why l asked Though
your change the result it increase
diminish our majority. Truly yours
j. VAN buren,
OcToBER 26, 1856.