Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-03-10
STATE RIGHTS AND SLAVERY.

wAsuISGToS, Feb. II. 1S55.-Dear Sir,-Refer-
ring YOU to my editorials for the last two weeks,
l have to ask you how far | have correctly repre-
scented your views in my comments upon your letter
of the Goth of January, and the articles IN the
Boston Bee, which have copied? In other words
do you or not recognize the State rights, so far as
TO permit the several States to regulate the qnes-
ton of slavery in their own mode within their
State limits? Do you or not entertain the opinion
that Congress has power to interfere with slavery
in the States ? Do you or not recognise that high
err law" doctrine, which permits you as n Senator
to disregard the binding obligations Of the Constr
tuition ? Does the american organization" in
Massachusetts embrace the question of slavery
amongst those for the regulation of which that or
gaaization was formed? -,
Your answer nj your earliest convenience Will
oblige your obedient servant,
VEsPAsIAN ELLIS,
Editor American Organ.
Hon. HENRY WILSON, L. S. Senate.
SENATE CuAMnER, Feb. 10, 1855.-Dear SIR
Ny answer TO your inquiries will be brief and ex-
piicit. -.
LIST. I fully recognise the doctrine of State rights
in its application to slavery, as well as to any 9TH
er m ,tter of public concern.
The Virginia and Kentucky resolution of 1913,
in the main, as l think, correctly set forth that
doctrine.
The whole subject of slavery within State limits
should be left absolutely to State Legislation.
Cd. NY response to your second question is in
eldded in my answer to your first. ! do not enter
tain the opinion that Congress has any power to IT.
tcrfere with slavery as it exists under State
laws.
Sd. Every man who believes in u God must nee
essarily believe that there is 4 law paramount to al
human law. and that this law is to be obeyed by
men in public and private life, rather than any hu
man law in conflict with it. But l see nothing il
the Constitution of the United States, which re
auires me, as a Senatoy from Massachusetts,, to d
anything in conflict with the law of God. If
thought otherwise, / would not take an oath to sur
the Constitution of the United States.
4th. The American Organization in Massachu
setts does not embrace the question Of SLAYER
among those for the regulations Of which 1t wa
formed.
Pie people Of Massachusetts have fixed opinion
in which most of the members of that organiZatio
fully concur, against the support or allowance
slavery By national legislation.
They entertain the most profound convictiC
that the harmony and repose of the country, al
the highest interests of the master and the sla'
demand that the national government should be I
lieyed from all annexation with responsibility f
slavery, and that this disturbing question shou
be left to the States where it exhists.
While they do not seek to impose these conviction
and opinions upon their fellow-citizens of 9th
States, or to prescribe them for not fully cOncu
ring in those convictions and opinions, they W
submit. to no dictation or prescription from al
body Of men, or section OF the country.
I, as q Senator from Massachusetts, shall clai
for the opinions of her people, all the influence II
on the action Of Congress, and the administrati
Of the government, which a Senator from Virgin
can claim for the opinions Of The people of the Q
cient Dominion.
.rs Yours truly, Henry WILSON.
yEsrAsIAS ELLIS, ESQ.