Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-09-05


Buchanan denies the right Of the
Citizens Of a Territory to exclude
slavary--claims that right for.
Congress alone. clings to the Mis-
souri, Compromise. msS
The following letter from Mr. Buch-
anan written only 8 years sgois direct
[Iy in the face Of all the professions Of
the party who is now trying to elect
him. He denies the right Of the inhab-
itants Of a territory 10 exclude slavery
(and such is the meaning Of the Nebras-
kp bill as interpreted by The SOUTH but
be insists on the right Of congress- to
Ieeislate upon the subject Of slavery In
the territories. and clIngsto the Mis-
souri, compsomise". Read Il. There
are at least these three points in this
letter. that are Republican. In opposi-
ton TO the party now running Mr.. Buch-
anan. - f-
wAsHiSoros, Aug. 81. ls4s.
I DEAR SlR:--I have Just received
yours of the -l2th inst., la which you
submit to me the following paragraph
aud ask whether Il contains an accurate
version OF the conversation between Us,
concerning my Berks County letter, on
the oc casivn TO which you refer:
Is "Happsnlng TO meet Mr.. Buchanan a {
ibe Presidents leyee, on + 'iday evening,
| | called his attention 10 this letter. and
asked him II he intended TO be under
stood as claiming that the population Of
Territory, In an unorqanized capacity
had the right 10 control the question OF
Slavery In such Territory. lie declared
that no such idea had ever been main.
tanned by him; that the construction put
upon his language by Mr.. Yancey was
peryersion OF lie plain and obvious mean
ing; that. In his opinion. the inhabitants
OF a Territory, rs such, had no political
rights, lalthough they possessed al the
private rights oi American cltizensi that
they had no power whatever over the
subject OF Slavery, and they could neiIh-
er interdict nor establish. except when
assembled in Convention to form q
State Constitution. He further author
ICED and requested ma TO make any pub
lie use Of these declarations that might
think proper, to correct any impression
which Mr.. Yancey's construction OF bis
language in the Berks letter might have
made )" -. ....f II. I'............ ...
With the addition which have nser-
ted betw cen brackets, this statement is
substantially and almost literally cor.
rect, according to my recollection.
In nv letter TO Berks County Of 25th
August, is47, have said, "under the
Missouri Compromise Slavery was for.
ever prohibited north Of the parallel Of
36 degrees 30 minutes, and south OF this
parallel the question was LEFT 10 be deci-
ded by the people" What peoplel Un-
doubtedly the people Of the Territory
assembled Ia Convention TO form State
Constitution. and ask Admission into the
u MON; and not the first Adventures, or
"frsl comers," who mi ght happen TO ar.
rive 10 the Territory ,--ussem bIed In
public meeting. liza doubt on this sub.
ject could possibly exist. II il removed
by the next succeeding sentence OF my
letter. ] proceeded to state--"Con.
gress. on the admission Of Texas adopt.
ed the same rule" etc, Aud wha; was
this ruIel "'rbe Joint Reso luton Tor
apuexlng Texas TO the United States"
approved March let, i543, answers the
question Ia the following words: sAnd
such States as may be formed out OF that
portion OF said Territory lying south Of
80 degrees 80 minutes. North latitude,
commonly know. as the Missouri Com
promise line, shall be admitted into the
union. with or without slavery, as the
people Of each State asking admission
may desire" Such was the description
Of The people 10 whom | referred Ia my
Bsrks County letter. $1,000. s
Any other construction OF the letter
would render II essentially Inconsistent
with itself. Having urged the adoption
OF the Missouri Compromise, the Infer.
ence 10 Irresistible that Congress. In my
opinion, possesses the power o Iegislnte
upon the subject OF slavery In the Ter.
ritorics. What an absusdity would II
then be-, ". Whilst asserting this rover.
elgn powers In Congress. which power
IRON its nature must be exclusive. |
should IA the very same breath also
claim this identical power "lor he pop
uIa,ion OF Territory In an unotganized
capaeityi"
In conclusion, I desire 10 relterate and
lrcaliirm every sentiment contained Ia
my Besks- County letter. cling TO the
Ms curl Compromise with greater te.
naeity than ever, and yet firmly believe
that Il will be adopted BY Congress.
y Yours, very respectfully,
JAMES BUCHANAN.