Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-09-03
A. w. PARKER.
WARREN, Sept. 30, Is48.

WARREN, sept. ~, lc4o-
DEAR SIR: Constant engagements in
Court give me but 4 moments time to
answer your communication of this date
l hope, however, TO be as explicit as am
brief, in respondingto 10 the important ques-
tion propounded to me, | fully agree
with you as to the importance of under
standing the position and principles cf all
candidates for public trusts. This is the
right every elector, indispensiby ncc-
esSary 10 be enforced TO enable him to
act understandings, and the vital princi-
pie of representative Democracy. The
correspo lding duty of the candidate is to
take his positions honestly, and to main
tain them openly. His ''errors may be
safety tolerated while reason is left free
TO cnmbat them"
am in favor of maintaining the fee
dom Of tie Territories of New Mexico
and California in their whole extent, and
utterly opposed 10 authorizing slavery or
involuntary servitude of any kind within
them, or 10 any compromise which shall
doom any part OF them 10 the curse ofhu-
man bondage. do not stop TO state all
the reasons which bring me 10 this con-
clusion. Suffice it 10 say the maintain
ing of their freedom is, in my judgement,
due to humanity to republican principles,
TO our character and interests as peo-
pie, TO Mexico, and above all 10 the poor
of our own and other lands, who shall 90
there TO fnd homes for themselves and
their famili s, and who would be degraded
and disgraced by the contact of sLOue la
Dor. Entertaining these views, ifelected,
l should support all such mo asures as
were calculated to maintain them, taking
care at all times not to overstep the limits
of the National compact, or to encroach
upon the reserved rights Of the States.
1t is conceded that these Territories are
now tree. They must remain Sd until
changed by positive law of the sovereign
power. No question is better settled in
this country than that slavery exists in a
State by virtue of the local law. alt is
clear that il can no more exist in a Ter
riiory without such law than a man can
breathe wilhout air." NEITHER CON-
GRESS NOR A TERRITORIAL LEG
STATURE, IN MY OPINION POS
SESS THE POWER TO ESTABLISH
1T. Iican only he done by the people when
as a State "under the general
principles of the Constitution. have
no doubt of the power Of Congress to erect
Territorial Govern ncntS, and to PRO
VIDE FOR THE PROHIBITION OF
WITHIN THE TERRI
TORIES, AND AN IN FAVOR OF
AND WOULD SUPPORT SUCH PRO
do not think t'at ''ihe legal principle
against Territorial Slavery would be
made stronger by a prohibition" but as
4 public and authoritative declaration by
Congress of the fact that these Terrific
ries are now free and of the determine
lion OF the American people TO keep them
so, it may be importan'; at all events il is
open and fair dealing with all parties, and
| should be unwilling 10 omit anything
calculated 10 give security TO The princi-
ple-Gur flag should never float over an
other foot Of slave Territory. You ask
what measures am in favor of, for main-
tanning the freedom Of those Territories
l have already stated those which bear
directly upon it-another of great imPor-
tance, indirectly, would b, 10 protect
Them, as well as all our public lands from
The blighiing curse OF land monopoly
Without such monopoly slavery cannot
exist. regard the public lands as a
trust in the hands of the government for
he benefit of the people, and think they
should be freely granted, in limited guam I
titles, to actual settlers only. This in /
my opinion, would settle them with
hardy and industrious population of free ,
men. In regard 10 slavery in the Dis
rici Of Columbia, | answer that mure
han ten years ago had occasion 10 make .
public nv OPINION of THEDUTY OF /
CONGRESS TO ABOLISH SLAVERY /
IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUM
3IA. The laTse of time has only serv-
ID to strengthen that opinion. The lues-
ion as to the power of Congress over the
nter-Stare slave trade, has believe been
settled by the Supreme Court.
You ask, finally, for which Of the
Presidential candidates l intend to vote At
he coming Presidential election. had
,uppos that my position was too well
Known TO render such a question neces- +
,ary; but rs desire no concealmenI and
would scorn TO receive vote OBJ aimed
through any misapprehension, will an
,wer that intend to vote for Lewis Cass.