The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-12-21
Letter from Francis P. Blair.

The Republican movement has beei very
strongly endorsed by letter 10 the Rebuff.
lican Association Of Washington citl from
Mr.. Francis p. Blair, well known though.
out the country as one of the editors Of the
Globe during The administration OF General
jackson. He condemns in strong terms The
breach Of faith involved in The repeal OF the
Missouri Compromise and thinks tina! j, is
the duty Of the North to take bold stand
agains, The aggressions Of slavey. "The
repeating clause Of the Kansas bill" says
he. sis predicaied on The nulliy Of the
clause in the constitution which gives Con-
gress The power 'io make regulations re.
>pcc,ing The territories oflhe United Safes.
Ye, nothing is clearer in the history Of our
government, than that lhls phrase, giving
power 10 Congress to make regulations re.
speeding the territories, was meant to give
1t the power 10 exclude slavery from them"
He recapitulales the anli-slavery move
menis, and suggests The !inal remedy as
follows:-
The first Legislative attempt 10 restrain
the progress of the mischief which the king
of Great Britain visited upon this country,
was Mr.. Jeilerson's resolution excluding
slavery from the territory of The United
States in l7S4-lhe next was that Introduced
by Rufus King in 17s5-the third that of
Nathan Dane, in l7S7--all receiving the
vote Of two thirds Of the States ofthe con.
iederacy, and the las, the unanimous vote.
The fourth movement was that Of the
convention, in the constitution itself, pToyi.
ding against the importation Of slaves alter
1908, declaring the validity Of The engage.
menis entered by the Congress Of the Con-
iederacy on The government Of The United
States, 10 exclude ii from the Territory, and
securing 10 The new government The power
of making similar provisions for future ac-
QUESTIONS of territory. The fifth regula-
lion TO restrain the progress Of slavery was
tina, Of The Compromise Of ls30-,he sixth
tina, of 1850.
1t is remarkable, 'ha, although these
great measures had their origin with demo-
cratic leaders, federal and whig leaders Of
greatest Ienown united in their support
The constitutional provisions on the subject
had the unanimous suffrage Of all the illus
trious men OF the Convention who framed
the Constitution OF the United States; and
from the science on the subject in the State
Convention called 10 ralify the Constitution,
il may well be presumed that these also
were unanimous in their approval OF what
had been done under the Confeleracy, and
in the new Constitution to restrain the in
PRODUCTION and limi: the exten,ion of slav.
cry. And may not men OF all parties now
unite 10 restore what the patriots OF all par
ties, during the frs, seventy years OF our
government, contributed to eslablishi
The work Of restoration is simple and
easy, If The men who abhor tho late inno-
ya,ion on the long-settled policy OF tho ma
ton, can be induced 10 rclinqush petty dill
ferences on ranslory topics, aud give their
united voice in The next presidential cleo
tion, for some man whose capacity, fidelity
and courage can be relied upon 10 oppose
the issue which the present administration
has made 10 control it. The contest has
grown ou, Of presidential aspirations. The
decision Of the people a, the polls, in choos.
ing a chief magistrate, will end il. Sena-
tors will easily comply when the nations
demand is backed by presidential power
aud patronage, and hopes Of the future,
which animate The leading members Of the
body.
In his opinion, the extension Of slavery
over the new territories would prove fatal
to their prosperity; but The calamity which
he most apprehcnds is the destruction Of
The Confederacy, on which The welfare Of
the country reposes.
Mr.. Blair is a Southern man, and has
been, and still is slave holder. His opin-
ionss are thereby entitled 10 weight, which
cannot be regarded as the prodnct OF abo-
liionism-of which he has always been a
firm opponent.