The daily union., 1856-03-29
SENATOR TOUCEY IN 1889.

SENATOR TOUCEY IN 1889.
We have often had occasion express admiration
of the horward outspoken, consistent devotion Of
Senator Toucey the great principles of the democratic
party His political life shows him to be devo
zee of principles and without regard to personal
ouences he follows wherever democratic principles lead
n 1899 when aboouism was rising into importance, he
was called on for his opinions and find bis response
characterized by the rankness and regard for the
compromises of the constitution in regard to southern
rights which have made him universal favorite with
onal men since he has occupied in the Senate The
following letter, written and published in 1889 will be
read with pleasure by all national
HARTFORD, March l6, 1889.
GENTLEMEN have received your letter written in be-
half of the executive committee the Anti Slavery Society
propoundiug the two following nerrogatories, and
quesng communication OF sentiments on the subjects
embraced In them:
"lst Are you in favor Of the immediate abolition of sla
very in the District of Columbia2
2d Are you opposed to the admission to the Union Of
The government Of the United States one of limited
powers The 10th article of the amendments to the con-
stuton from extreme jealousy of federal power declares
expressly what from the nature of government was
always necessarily imped-hat "the powers not dele
gated the United States by the constitution nor prohb-
tied by II the States reserved the States respect
vey the people, To the States and to the people
reserved the involable rights of private property and
the people Of the United States TO the federal
To take away the private property Of any individual
cep in one case only-that is, "or public use with Gust
compensation exception which in its effect and ope-
ration, applies equally in the District Of Columbia and
throughout all parts Of the Union II is unnecessary to
say that geno emancipation act with grant Of fifteen
hundred millions Of dollars TO the owners, Just COM
pensaon for the annihation of slave property would be
unconstitutional and void because IL bears analogy to
the taking of private property for public and Is be-
eved that the power OF Cohgess pass such act has
been asserted In any quarter To the first nterrog
aory therefore, my answer is that the constitution hav
ing recognised the existence OF slave property the
OF the federal government in all its branches
equal to the task OF enacng 1.-THE immediate abolition of
slavery in the District of Columbia" the people not hav-
ing granted their government any such power and such
an act would be unconstitutional and void and therefore
one 10 support the constitution could in the
discharge Of public duty under the responsibilities OF
that oath, give the measure his support
To the second interrogaory ] The people Of
Territory within the limits OF the Unon citizens Of the
United States When, under existing laws and compacts
they entitled to the rights Of segovernment
aud to be admitted into the Union Independent
State and present themselves 10 Congress demanding
recognition Of their rights the question, practically be-
nearly identical with another whether the Union
shall exist II Congress refuse 10 declare the adms
sion OF the State where Is III If in the Union
at foreign State its citizens made Foreigners
the territory Of the United States dismembered revo
luton is accomplished and foreign pow
brought into existence within jurisdcuona
limits unless Congress should undertake govern
vassa province by despohc power sustained by ply
force The question Is whether Congress has righully
this power Of dsmemberment and revolution on the one
hand, or Of ensavng the people of State the
other to force the people Of that State come into the
Union upon footing OF inequality with the other States in
regard 10 Its legislative powers its internal
The answer The people OF State derive part of
their powers from the constitution Of the United States
but from themselves alone and that instrument Ia the sole
measure Of the powers granted restricted. The new
State Is entitled 20 into the Union upon q footing of
perfect equality Of reserved powers with all other States
a coequa Sate-coequa in all the attributes Of sove
reigny and 1t would be mere naked downright abuse
and peryersiOn Of the power of admitting equal State
into the Union 10 such State under color Of the
erce Of that power to surrender any portion Of those
served powers and attributes Of sovereignty an inds
pensabe condition Of admission Believing that the con-
sttuon as il to from its vepeated framers is
better than would be made by any supplement- that could
be annexed BY the taperng Of Congress and knowing
that the same supposed for rejecting State
exists for expeing from the Union nearly half the present
confderated States and thus breaking up the
at once shall give negative answer to your second in
terrogatory.
should be wanting in a duty which TO my el-
ctzens were not TO avail myself OF the present
casou TO declare the conviction which the experience and
observation OF four years past and extended acqnant
aDce with my countrymen from all parts Of the Union have
fixed mmovably In my mind that the agitation Of the ob
clifton question in the free States where has subject 10
operate upos IL only hostile all the interests
ed with it. but brings the Union and the constitution into
imminent jeopardy Not only does II aggravae the evils
In the condition OF that which Is the subject Of your
more iieasurabe distance the object Of your wishes
and should the abolition excitement In the free States pre-
vail far bring the leading agtors into the posscs
sion OF the governmens Of these states there too much
reason apprehcnd the Union would be severed the
suon would be subverted the happy government under
which we live would be overlhrown powerful
republic would 10 exist instead OF peace and hsr
mony should have intestine dsCord and connection
fields Of America would be drencbed In the blood
our countrymen slain by each others hands and the last
hope Of African emancipation to be effected by those who
alone have the power TO accomplish II would be extn