The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1856-06-05
JUDGE MCLEAN ON SLAVERY.

We are really sorry that we did no
consult the editor of the herVindica.or'
ID regard to the opinions Of Judge Nc
Lean upon the subject Of Slavery, before
we ventured to express ourselfin his fa
vor as a candidate forthe Presidency
The gentleman seems to understand the
Judges views upon that question better
than he does himself, and proceeds with
cut much ceremony, to read our candi-
date into the Locofoco party.
We were taught when youth 10 shur
bad company, aad we leave the reader te
immagine our 'pheelinks" when we were
informed by our very learned neighbor
that we were getting over to his side o.
the house. %t
3 Now, we don't think, notwithstanding
the opinion OF our talented and accomplish
cd neighbor, thatwe have misapprehen-
ded the Judge upon this subject. 1t is
true, he is no ultra abolitionist, no fanati-
cal a9itator; but he isa conscientious op-
ponent of the institution of Slavery--he
looks upon it as one of the evils with
which this country is cursed, and as such
would not consent to its extension. In
deed he goes as far as the farthest upon
this subject, when he says that Congress
has power toprohi6a Slavery in the terri
tories.
But. feeling that the very important in
diyidual who edits the "Vindicator'' may
not feel disposed to receive the assertion
of his humble neighbor as good evidence
in the case, we will let Judge Mclean
speak for himself in the following letter to
his friend, Gen. Cass: IS rs
,'-fs, ,a Washington, May 13, 1856.
NY dear Sir--A friend stated 70 me
yeste, day that he understood you to say
chat l did not consider that Congress had
power, under the Constitution, to prohibit
Slaveryin a Territory. never doubted
that Congress had this power, and could
never have expressed any doubt on the
subject. -
You may ,recollect that ], have in con
'versations with ron often said that Con-
gress, having tire power to establish a
territorial government, might, in the ex-
ercise of police power, prohibit slavery,
although they had no Constitutional pow
er to institute it.
81 Uniformed my friend that Twas sure he
misapprehended you. | drop this note
that in the publication of your speech you
may correct any mistake Of the stenogra-
pher on the subject.
5sa Very truly. yours,
sa }a5s JOHN MCLEAN,
Hon. L. GAss. ts
In replys the old General said lie had
always understood that to be the position
Of the Judge upon the subject, and OF
course made the necessary correction
But then, perhaps General Cess is not as
capable Of understanding the views Of the
Judge, as is Mr.. sDennison.
We understand Judge Mclean to say
that he believes Congress has no power
to mstitute, slavery in the territories, while
they can, -s.in the exercise of police
power, prohi6i lit; and we know enough OF
the man to know that, as President of the
United States, he would use all his in1u-
ence and power to effect such prohibi-
g If thisis the policy of the Locofoco par
ty, who are now using the power and
patronage of the United States Govern
ment in an effort to establish slavery in
the Territory of Kanzas, and in obedience
to whose commands the innocent citizens
of the. territory are now being murdered
in order o.accomplish their purpose, then,
indeed, We have been in the dark. If the
trucking, time-serying, eowardly course.
pursued by the present Locofoco admin
istration, is any evidence. that they. en-.
tertain the sentiments contained in the a.
boye letter, we will be compelled to make
the humiliating confession that we have
been very stupid, indeed, in not. discover
ing it long ago., .sze ~.
s
f THE MITRnEREn HOMES