The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-10-02
APrcsidenrsAi specs aolc.


PrcsidcnstAi spect ncIc.
No one who has read the Presidents letter
to Mr.. Siliman and others has failed to no.
tice the magisterial tone in which il is couch
ed, as If his premises were unassailablc, his
facts unquestisnablo, and his logic inexor.
able and conclusive. And his partizans seem
to regard it in the same light in which its
author evidently viewed it, as statement of
the case which pat final quictus upon the
whole matter, and made an end Of all con-
troversy forever. Now no candid man Of
decent intelligence, familiar with the actual
facts, the progress Of sentiment under South
ern pressure, aud the change OF party posi-
ton and tactics, can help being Disguised at
such gross perversity, such unblushing i'm
pudence as this in grave state paper, put
forth under the signature Of the Chief Mag
istrate Of the nation. lie might assume the
position he takes, and defend it upon grounds
OF expediency and state necessity but to ig-
more notorious occurrences, facts that have
already taken their place in irrsversible his
tory, that are certified to, sealed and record
ed among the archives Of the nation that
is neither defensiblc nor decent. Fortunate
ly, without the citation Of a single fact about
which there is any dispute or doubt, without
the necessity Of an appeal to any other doc.
ument than such as the President himself has
furnished, there rs ample means for the most
pointed and complete refutation Of this pre-
sumptions paper, aud refuta:ion which can
Be rendered as brief in statement as it is
crushing in character.
The great point is as to the lawful exist
ence OF slavery in Kansas, and the power Of
the people and Of Congress over the question.
In his letter to Mr.. Silliman he says:
"Slavery existed Mt that period-when the
Kansas and Nebraska bill was passcd-and
still exists in Kansas under the Constitution
OF the United States. This point has ut last
been decided by the highest tribunal known
TO cur laws Hosc IL could eper hare been
seriously doubted is a mystery. Ii con-
federation OF sovereign States acquire new
territory at the expense OF their common
blood and treasure, surely one set Of the par-
ties can have no right TO exclude the other
from its engagements, by prohibiting them
from taking into IL nhnferer is recognts ed
TO DC property by common constitution
That is clear and decided. II has at least
the merit OF frankness and plainness. II
says that the Constitution took slavery there.
Consequently that Congress cannot prohibi.
II, that the people cannot romoveit, until the
formation Of Il State Constitution, and that
II Is mystery TO him how oil this could ever
have been doubted. Now no longer ago than
The few brief months that have elapsed since
his nomination to the Presidency, in his pub
lac letter accepting that nomination he said :
This legislation-the Kansas and Nebras-
IA bills founded on principles "a ancient
us Free Government Itself, and in accordance
win them has simply declared that The peo-
PIE o. Territory, like those of State,
shall decide for themselves tehetier siarery
hda or SHAH not erist tcithin lis limits"
Here is the clear and unequivocal an
nouneencnt that tho people Of IA Territory
have themselves the right to establish or
prohibit the institution prior to any arrange
ments Tor State government, regardless Of
interference from any quarter or by any au-
thority.
In his letter to Mr.. Sanford, dated in sis,
and extensively published last year, Mr.. Blu
chanan said:
"iaying urged the adoption If the Mis-
souri, Compromise, the inference ia irresisti.
BILE that Congress, in my opinion, possesses
poie,er 70 iegislate upon the subject Of slavery
IN the Territorics.n
Here he acknowledges himself one OF the
original advocates of this very restriction
winch was removed By the Kansas -Nebrask
hlsi, and proclaims the power Of Congress to
iegisia'e upon the subject.
So that, BY his own words. sustained by
his own recorded votes and speeches, Con.
sfes' has ihe power to prohibs slavery in
ne Territories, tas --e.isi@.. ffepnla:ion have
the power - prohibit or establish it, and the
Constitution 81 the United State. cenfers
iass power upon Congress and the people,
and guarantees them in lis exercise, And
ret, that AR body else ever should have en-
tssiasnea sach sentiments for single mo-
roent, seems 10 hin a matter Of profound a..
ionisa1Bsn;
Reader Is that not d spectacle for free.
nlsn 10 look upon with equal assonishment,
PITY and regret
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