New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-04-01
PEPyBLICASISA ~ RHODE ISLAND.
UNION OF TIE FRIENDS OF FREEDOM
AND THE UNION.

Union OF TIE FRIENDS OF FREEDOM
AND THE UNION
The Rhode Island Republican Association recently
addressed tie gentlemen understood 10 De the most
prominent candidates for nomination TO the oth'es OF
Governor. Secretary of State AMI Attorney. General
the following questions
F,rst Are you opposed to the election Of Alari
Fillmore as President and Of Andrew j. DoleIson a.
Nics-rrs,ident the United States .
Second: Are you opposed to the introduction Of
Slavery into the Territories of the United States'
Third Are you opposed to toe admission OF HAN
ga. into the Union except as a Free State
The questions were responded to in satisfactory
manner BY Messrs. w. w. HOppin John X. Bartlett.
and Charles Hart, who were accordingly nominated
for the Offices Of Governor Secretary Of State aud At
torney-General. Their answers were as follows
To WILLIAM SHELDON and others, Committee Of the Rhode
Island Republican Ass 'cisaon:
GrSrLTsTs: Your favor Of the 9Th n~. Il before
me. Although / am very grateful for the generous
support which my fellow citizens have gwen me IN
the successive contests wherein have been caadl-
date for the office which now hold and am conscious
TINT the confidence thus rcposed in renders 1t OBJ
Egatorv mon me 10 sacrifice all personal cO0sdera'
tons and to submit 10 whatever course may be
deemed by others TO be for the best interest OF our
State vet indulge the hope that shan not oe re-
oured To become a candidate for reelection - an
cce the responsibilities OF which press heavily upon
ny mind r,o..11.s a..
Immt diaely alter the election OF le9o, formed me
determination to retire from tue Office a. the end OF
the nres.ut political year. Whenever have revue wed
the subject have invariably come 10 the sane decis
ion The example Of some Of my most respected pred
ecessors justfies this resolution; my family aud my
mot valued personal friends concur in it, and stu
adhere 10 II.
Hmy opinion a. an individual, upon the questions
YOU have submitted to Inc, will be OF any service,
am most happy to express r.
Il seems to NE that il is our highest duty q, Nom.
bers Of this Republic, 10 carry out the principles aud
intentions Of tbose wise and patriotic men Who founded
il. Not only Do and gratitude demand THIS,
but experience. has shown that they read the future
rightly, ami that the path they pointed out for our
guidance, was the path Of -af.ty.
AZ understand the sentiments Of the trainers OF the
Constitution they considered Slavery az IA evil d.
recty at war with the principles, they we're endeavor-
ing to establish the basis Oft national organization.
Still Slavery wasa recognized institution liz many Of
the States. II was desirable that all should be united
il conftderacy and the only way to do this, was
10 leave Slavery with its terrible responsibilities to
the States which upheld it, while, at the same time,
the action of the General Government should tend to-
wards the advancement Of Freedom, wherever the
pow er CT the Government extended.
In accordance with this sentiment hold that while
tie governing power of the Territories il exercised by
Congress, Slavery should be prohibited in those Tern
tories in express terms.
have ever considered the Missouri Compromise as
a family compact not TO be broken or Terminated eX-
cept by mutual consent. unhesitatingly pronounce
tie passage OF the Kansas Nebraska bill 10 be act
Of gross Justice and inqulty.
believe the admission Of Kansas as free State
should be demanded by al who love their county and
that th position should be receded FROM Thus
much in answer TO the second and third nterogato.
rit- put by you.
To your first interogstory, my answer is, that il
Niard Fillmore, who IL absent from this country
should when the opportunity is afforded him, declare
himself opposed to the introduction Of Slavery into
the Territories of the United States, and opposed to
the admission of Kansas into the Union, except as
Free State could support him for the office OF Pres
dent of the United States; Otherwise, not
An gentlemen. very respectfully your obedicnt sery.r
". ". HOPPIS.