Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-02-21

terrain the opinion that Congress has power
to interfere with slavery in the States? Do
you or not recognize that "higher law" doc
trine, which permits you as Senator to dis
regard the binding obligations of the Const
tuition? Does the American organization
in Massachusetts embrace the question Of
slavery amongst those for the regulation OF
which that organization was formed?
Your answer at your earliest convenience
will oblige your obedent servant,
VESPASIAN ELLIS,
Editor American Organ.
Hon. HENRY WILSON, U. s. Senate.
SENATE CHAMBER, Feb. l9, 1855,
Dear Sir: My answer to your inquiries will
be brief and explicit.
lst | fully recognize the doctrine of State
rights in its application to slavery, as well as
to any other matter of public concern.
The Virginia and Kentucky resolutions of
1898, in the main, as | think, correctly set
forth that doctrine.
The whole subject of slavery within State
| limits should be left absolutely to State legis-
lation.
"a. My response to your second question is
included In my answer to your first. / do not
entertain the opinion that Congress has any
power to interfere with slavery as it exists un.
der State laws.
Sd. Every man who believes in God must
necessarily believe that there is law para
mount 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 il.
But see nothing in the Constitution Of the
United States, as ! understand the Constitu
ton of the United States, which requires me.
as Senator from Massachusetts, to do any
thing IN conflict with the law of God. III
thought otherwise, | would not take an oath
to support the Constitution 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
organization 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 connexion with re-
sponsiblity for slavery, and that this disturbing
question should be left to the people of the
States where it exists
While they do not seek to impose these con-
victlons and opinions upon their fellow-citizens
OF other States, or to prescribe them for not
fully concurring in those convictions and
opinions, they will submit to no dictatiop of
prescription from any body of men, or section
of the country
!, as Senator from Massachusetts. shall
claim for the opinions Of her people, all the
freedom of utterance, 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, HENRY WILSON.
VEsPAsIAS ELLIS, esq.
1t will be recollected by our readers that a
discussion has been existing for some time in
several of the papers of this city, and elsewhere
in reference TO the sentiments of Senator vii.
son, on the subject of slavery. We presume
that the foregoing correspondence is the result
of that discussion, and that by the friends Of
the Massachusetts Senator, his reply is regard.
ed as triumphant vindication of his opinions
from the charge of Abolition. Now we regret
TO differ with those friends, but the correspon.
dence to our mind sheds no additional raw OF
light upon the subject. We have never seen it
commended anywhere that a direct interference
by Congress with the existence of slavery in
the States is essential to constitute an Adolf.
zionist. If such an idea as this should prevail
the ranks Of Abolition would be thinned and
their numbers confined to a few rabid fanatics
whose disgusting excuses deprive them Of the
power to harm. These are not the men whom
the South has most reason TO fear. Disgust
and contempt are the only emotions excited BY
such opponents as these. But the real danger
to be apprehended, is from those who under
the guise Of reverence for the constitution, and
a protested devotion to States Right would
strike the most fatal blow at our institutions,
by indirectly undermining our power.
The well digested scheme Of these opponents
of slavery is first TO attack the ouposts Of the
Constitution, and BY gradual and almost imper-
ceptible advances to accomplish their inal de.
signs. One Of the earliest Of these attacks is
in the exclusion Of slavery from the Territories
power sought to be founded on the power Of
Congress to make all needful rules and regula.
tons respecting the territory or other property
belonging to the United States. Another is in
the abolition of slavery in the District Of Co
lumbia also founded upon forced construc-
ton Of another clause in the Constitution vest
ing in Congress the exclusive legislation over
the District. A third great step in the pro-
gress OF aggression is the attempt to repeal
law made in pursuance Of a constitutional
provision, for the rendition Of iugitives from
labor. The next advance proposed by the Alb
clifton party is the Introduction Of the inter.
State slave trade. And the next will probably