Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-09-16


RACINE, Sept 5, 1856.
Hon. F. S. LOWELL:
Dear Sir:-ln retiring from the bench.
IN March las., ii was no part of my in
tenton, as you are we'll aware, to take
any active part in political affairs, but to
devote myself to the duties of nv profess
sion, and to enjoy the tranquility of pr-
vate hfe. But g we are in the midst of a
revolution not altogether :" bloodless, -
which, if carried out, will change the
whole policy of our government in rela-
.on TO the extension of negro sIaverv-
mat polIcy was enaugurated in lS1S.
couched In language somewhat ambiguous
IN the famous Nicholson letter; received,
however, a severe check in the election
OF Gen. Taylor, and was supposed to be
finally put at rest by the Compromise OF
lSoO. 10 those Compromises the leaders
OF both parties swore their eternal alleoi-
ance, and, as part of their platforms, pledp
ed themselves TO each other and to the
country against all further agitation Of
the slavery question either in or out of
Congress. Mr.. Pierce, as he took his oath
OF office, solemnly repeated that pledge.
Within two years, however, Senator Doup-
! las, OF Illinois, then standing high in the
confidence of the Democratic party and OF
the President, under the dictation of At
Gibson. If we are to believe his words, re-
opened the ball of revolution by ADOPTING
as an amendment to the Kansas Nebras-
ka Bill provision repeating the Missouri
Compromise, by which slavery was pro-
hIbited In all the territory now compris-
ing Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and Kan
sas. and the whole power of the Admins
tratlon was brought 10 bear to carry that
measure through Congress. The deed
was done. The gates were thrown wide
open for the admission of negro slavery
into all those vast territories heretofore
consecrated to become the homes of free
white men.
have felt at liberty. at ali times. even
while holding judi iai off e, fre " to
express my opinions of that measure. and
Its disastrous consequences but have
purposeiy refrained from giving utterance
to any determination as to the candidate
OF my choice for the Presidency until af-
ter the final adjournment of the present
Congress, for that determination was not
fully formed. did not believe it were
possible, In view of all that has already
followed the reTe Il of the Missouri Com
promise, of all that has transr ired and is
now transplrlng IN Kansas and through O IT
the country, that any Congress could ad-
Journ without taking some ADEQUATE meas
ures toput an end to the civil war already
begun IN that Territory, to blot out of ex-
lstence those infamous enacments of its
invaders, and with them, the parent of
them all, the &C, of Congress repeating the
Missouri Compromise.
| felt somewhat assured lat least strong
ly hoped, that Mr.. Buchanan, who was
believed to have been opposed to that act
when it passed would thorugh his friends
IN Congress, have done something to as
sure the country that slavery should he ex-
| cluded from Kansas. or at least that the
/ friends of freedom should have far play.
and that | should be able conscientiously
to give my vote and my influence for his
election..
But sir, the telegraphic despatch which
announced that Congress had adjourned
without passing any law for the pa ,ifica-
ton of Kansas, has realized nv worst
/ tca4s and extinguished in my bosom the
last hope for freedom in that territory ex-
cspt IN the election Of John C.. Fremont.
| can no longer doubt for a moment what
/ position to take, and shall no longer re-
main silent. have received several let
+ ters OF enquiry, and this will be taken as
an answer TO them all. The Cincinnati
| platform into which Mr.. Buchanan is mer-
ged, the administration whose candidate
he is, as well as all his supporters in Con-
/ gress, North and South, have determined
! to acqulesce in the laws of Kansas, forced
/ upon that territory by its invaders, and to
enforce them at the point of the bayone,,
though acknowledged by all TO be in ia
vor of slavery-bloody and Infamous 10
the last degree, and a disgrace to any civ
ilized age. could not refrain from de-
nouncing them if would, and would not
/ if could.
The laws of Kansas are the laws of the
1 United States for thai territory. The ul-
innate responsibility of making and en-
forcing them, whether for good or evil,
rests upon the government of the United
States. All attempts to throw off that res
possibility from Congress, where it be-
longs, upon the first few settlers who NAV
chance TO enter the territory, are unwar-
ranted by the constitution, unstatesman-
like, AMI, as proved, in this case, utterly
futile.
In the Territories the government of
the Unitei States, representing the States
and the people, holds the Sovereign pow
er. Whe ther under the express provision
I OF the constitution comforting upon Con-
] gress the "power to make all needfuI
rules and regulations respecting the ter
ritory of he United States,' or as an IL
eIdent 10 the treaty making power by
which territory may be acquired, Con.
| gress has from time to time from the foun-
! datlon OF our government, exercised the
tunquestioned power TO establish territori.
al governments by an act of Congress
!, 1t IS commonly called the organic act L
is In the nature of constitution Or fun
damental law. limiting and defining, the
/ rights of the people who may inhabi; Il