The Winchester weekly appeal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1856-1856, 1856-07-12
w NCHE ST e II:
SATURDAY, JULY 18TH, 1856
THE ERIE LETTER.

As this letter has never been analy
zed, and believing there is nothing OBJ
jectionable in the position assumed by
Mr.. FILLMORE in the letter, we feeltha
it is nothing but right to examine it &C
cording to the true construction which
the language oft admits. 1t is some.
what surprising that some defence has
never been made on the subject, and
we would have preferred that an older
and ADLER pen had undertaken the task
The following interrogations were
propounded to Mr.. F., and to which he
made the subjoined reply:
SIR: Your communication ofthe 18th
inst, as chairman of a committe ap.
pointed by the Anti-Slavery Society Of
the county Of Erie," has just come to
hand. You solicit my answers to the
following interrogatories:
First. Do you believe that petitions
to Congress on the subject Of slavery
or the slave trade ought to be received,
read and respectfully considered by the
Representatives of the people?
Second. Are you opposed to the an
nexation of Texas to the Union, under
any circumstances, so long as slaves
are held therein?
Third. Are you in favor of Congress
cxerting all the constitutional power
it possesses to abolish the internal
slave trade between the States?
Fourth. Are you in favor of imme-
diate legislation for the abolition of
slavery in the District of Columbia?
am much engaged, and have no
time to enter into an argument, or to
explain at length my reasons for my
opinion. shall therefore content my
self for the present, by answering all
your interrogatorics in the affirmative,
and leave for some future occasion a
more extended discussion of the subject
am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
WILLARD FILLMORE.
w. MILES, Esq, Chairman.
In regard to the first we have to say
that such petitions have always been
received, and all citizens have a con-
stitutonal right to petition for what
ever they please, and Congress is
bound to receive them, and such is
the settled opinion of all parties.
The second query is plainly this
Could there be any circumstances I'M
der which he would oppose the annex
alton of Texas to the confederacy as
long as slaves were held therein. Mr..
F. answered affirmatively, and so do
we. There could be many, even tho
its rivers were oil, and apples of gold
hung upon the trees.
The third inquiry is: "Shall Congress
exercise its constitutional power to
abolish the internal slave trade be.
tween the States"--in answer to
which we fully agree with Mr.. +. But
it is to be remembered that Congress
has no such power--therefore no such
power should be exercised.
The fourth question proposed was
one about which there can be no dis
pute-that is: has Congress the legal
power to lcgislate on the subject Of
slavery in the District of Columbia
As there is no other legislative body
authorized to legislate for this terrific
~, Congress must have it, and always
has been the legislative power that
rules it. Let it also be remembered
that the slavery agitation was not
nearly SO dangerous at that time, and
10 fears were entertained for the right
IF the Shareholder as now. The obi.
,us doctrine of Wilmit Provis0ism was
recognized by all parties. Mr.. Fill
more had no fears Of danger in legis.
ating on the subject of slavery in the
District Of Columbia. and consequent /.