The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-20

AppIed, lad, Tho Ton That certain
time OF the cession TO us, can never he realized.
been already exempted an, very truly, yours,
frem it by law. Who arst H. VAN BUREN,
proclaimed the principle To Messrs. Murphy, Sbep-
which trumphed in The ard, Fowler, Kelly, Vince.
enactment OF he ordi- Ian, Purdy aud others,
OF l1S12 Thomas JEFF Committee of Arrange
ferson. Who promoted and msnts OF the Tammany
secured its passage through Society
the Continental Congress2
All he distinguished and patriotic who that year
represei ted the sslavehoding states In that body,
without solitary exception Who gave to the mea.
sne ms Official sanction by approving oil 70 carry
ington. Within the last sixty years and down TO 1888,
the same enactment has been again and again re-
peaed with the general concurrence OF the Southern
members and often through their particular instrumen
tai,y. full fifth OF the States of the Union have
been organized as Territories under restrictions
principle in the ordinance OF s7 required even in
the State constitution and government, and the bill
a committee Of which Wm B. Giles, Of Virginia,
chairman, and John Rutledgc, Of South Carolina,
member II was passed inthe Senate by vote OF SIX
teen to five, and among the ayes will be found
the respected names OF Baldwin and jackson OF
Georgia, Breckenridge and Brown OF kentucky,
Thompson, Mason and Wilson Cary Nicholas Of vIr-
gina, sumpter Of South Carolina, and Wright Of Ma.
ryland. The States which have grown up under and
in conformity to that 0, dinance have In very great
degl been settled by emgrants from the savehold
ing states Thousands Of these hardy and enterpri-
sing pioneers many OF them among the most respecta
BILE OF their fellow citizens for series Of years 10 sue
cesson left their friends and neighbours In the slave
panied by their prayers and benedctions; II
,ering into the Imagination OF either, that in so doing
or Degradation. Prosperous and happy ia their new
abode they and their associates, and the great en-
terprsc they accomplished have been honored and al
mired by all who witnessed their One Of those
very settlers after assuming and for many years dis
charging the responsibility Of enforcing the ordinance
1857, and after enjoying large share OF his country
confidence and respect in other FORMS finally ele-
waited the Presidency and died In that exalted station
Another highly distinguished inhabtant Of one Of the
IN fba aft hay
ing also for long series Of years, borne the response
bity Of seeing TO the execution Of this now dcrided
the favorite candidate for the same high Office por-
tons OF the citizens OF the savenoding as we'll as Of
the other States.
In the face Of facts like these, 10 Il possible oat the
application Of this restriction 10 New Mexico and
California operate 70 the Of our breh
can, ] think, regard Il in this light; and II there be
any other objections insisted on that arc worthy Of
notice. not appraised Of them None that tcna-
BILE can, in my Judgment be offered The measure Is
right in ITSELF and what right may always be done
with ultimate safety The present generation stand in
tories, In which the sages Of 1851 stood towards the
Northwestern Territory. II act wisely a they
such unayos honor o ,Ss poy o that dsy win fol-
low the hbors and perpetuate the memories OF
those by whom II Is nov upheld:
In The District Of Columbia; and observe In gene
raly Of expression IN respect 10 the tine when, and
the Seeyenson Ina, 'u sboaid be aSolsheS which
has not been usual the part Of the friends OF imne
date action. Most rejecting and philan,hrcpic minds
abolished not only that district but in the States
aso-in the latter through the agency OF the state
exclusive power in the matter, and In the former ny
Congress. | may be mistaken, but think see In
the guarded language OF the resolution evidence Of an
apprehension, on the part OF the Convention, that
difference opinion, 10 some extent At least cxst
ed among members upon the point referred TO- and VI
s ~ asn s%s u
MOI al power Of their unanimiy the great question
which had brought them together.
nv opinion, In of the Of Congress 10 abolish
slavery the District Of Columbia, has been repeat
eddy sed, well when a candidate, az whilst Pre-
sidcnt: and every days reflection has but served TO
conform my conviction Of ia correctness. ! at the
time express myself strongly against tho expc.
dency Of exercising u; and In recent letter 70 the
New York delegation at Utica, ! referred 10 my con
unucd opposition 10 that measure. The sublect
only incidentally introduced and there was consequent
~ but little taken in regard 10 the terms In
whish the suggestion was made.
The form Of expression which employed has
appears, led many honest and intelligent men TO A.
that the remark related, exclusively, W the
lat, and not intended " convey my pres ent
views the matter. THIS construction, though per
fact, erroneous; and Il Is due 10 truth 20 fair dealing
and TO all who take an interest In the matter, that
the subject should now be placed 70 ~ true light
10 1887 and before, operated 10 produce the convic
tons ! then expressed, no longer exist; and 81 when
wrjing 10 the New York delegation At Utica, l could
have anticipated what has since occurred, l should
have felt my duty 70 discriminate between the
which had PASSED away and those which yet
remain. But when my letter 10 them vas written,
nothing could have been further rom my erpcc,a-
tons than that I should again be . candidate
Tor the Presidency: and, Of course, not my In.
tenton 10 say what my conduct would be on this
or any other matter, again an incumbent Of that
place.
l have spoken in q former part Of this letter &c
the three leading features OF the policy, In regard
slavery, adopted by the fathers Of the republic. HIS
tory u true must record the fact that the North has
hitherto faithfully sustained her part In the msitte
which incucates forbearance on the point now
ferred 10. wth 10 the forbcarsnce which has
long characterized her conduct In this matter, still
farther continued. Approving Of the platform which
the convention has adopted, and conscious, from my
impressions OF right and duty In regard 70 H. that
shall be among the last 10 abandon IT, prefer not 10
connect our efforts 10 sustain with issue which
all must admit 10 be, in some degree at least, AZ.
fected by different considerations.
in my judgment all that Ia necessary 10 insure
cess dispassionae, but steady and firm action. Let
established IN the councils OF the nation, and
the institution OF slavery 10 the District q Colun.
bia will tall Of itself Other and more important int
reefs Will Intervene, and ndaoe the Inhabitants them
selves 20 labor for Is removal.
must not, however be understood either by what
row say, or by what soid in my letter 20 the
New York delegation at Utica, a. repeating the deca
,s,ion that would, II elected, withhold my aprroval
from bill for the abolition Of slavery in the District
could not now give any assurance, Cor the reason that
the circumstances by which the quey uon Is
rounded, are widely and materially different from
what they when the declaration was made and
must control. Az that time the apprehension erl.
es,y entertained that there danger q serviie war;
IN consequence Of the extent 10 which the agitation
Of this question had been pressed.
Participating In this apprehension, and believing
that such declaration. IN advance of any action u
Congress upon the subject would have saiutary nhu