The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-09-17
THE POSITION OF NIB. BANKS.

a Convention Of the Young Men of Massa-
chusetts was held at Worcester on the 9Th inst
Nearly four thousand persons were present
senator Wilson and Mr.. Banks addressed the
great audience. The speech of the latter was
OF course the most important feature of the oc.
casion. From the following brief extracts
winch we make from it, the reader will learn
the position of Mr. Banks upon the questions
OF the day. Upon Kansas and the Presidents
letter he spoke as follows
There is another reason, Mr.. President,
why we should hold attention and pos;tion mo-
upon this great subject. This very year is to
determine whether Slavery is to be extended.
not only to Territories where it did not exist,
out where 1t had been prohibited by Southern
men. Ihe late of Kansas is not vet sealed.
Last year the South fought for its Slavery, the
North for its Freedom. The South triumphed
and this year determines whether It will give mn
what it then won. The Convention that is to
frame Constitution for Kansas is already cho.
sen. 1t Is entirely in the hands of Pro Slavery
men. They can make it free compact, or a
slave compact, as they choose. They can sub.
NIT the instrument to Just such constituencv
as they choose. The remarkable speech of M.
Douglas in the early summer, snd the late ex.
traordirary letter of President Buchanan to
Professor Silliman, indicate with great clear
ness what that constituency and what the result
Will be. LII the Constitution recognises Slavery.
either by express provision or by silence
equally effective, and the Administration does
not oppose its admission into the Union, there
is no power to defeat it in Congress. It thus
becomes slave State, and gives to the South
the equilibrium in the Senate, for which it has
been long contending, from which it can sue
cesstully defend its interests against all coming
events. No future free State can be admitted.
but with the consent and upon conditions i'm.
posed by the South. And do you think thew
will give up this power2 l hope they may. /
hear it said that, admitted into the Union ss q
slave State, the people can at once abolish Sla
very. But remember, also, that the men who
make the Constitution can also establish the
conditions upon which it may be amended.
And do you think they will surrender that now.
er? hope they may. How, then, is it to be
said, that this year we have no interest in ma
| tional affairs?'
The subjoined paragraph gives Mr. Banks's
views of the Slavery question in general:
demand for the North and will concede
to the South all that can be claimed under the
| Constitution. l regard Free Labor as the cor
ner stone OF our prosperity, and the observance
OF the reserved rights of the States as the found
| alton OF our success as a Government re-
sist an interference with slave labor in the States
where it exists, but l am inhexibly opposed 70
/ its extension, to the admission of other slave
States, or the acquisition of territory for the
formation of slave States. l entertain no doubt
OF the power Of Congress to prohibit Slavery in
the Territories or that it ought to exercise that
power. protest against the usurpation of the
courts, in assuming to decide as judicial oues
tons propositions which are in their nature and
from the foundation of the Government have
always been regarded as popular and political
questions As your Representative, will de-
mand that something of the power of the Gov.
eminent of the States shall be directed to the
development of Christian.like and ciyilizing
Industrial interests, rather than to the reinsti-
tuition of barbaric customs and the propagand.
ism Of African Slavery. And if we are com
| PEELED to pass upon the further acquisition of
southern territory, even though it bring upon
US dishonor and war in the process, upon the
stale pretence of imperfect national defences,
we will demand that the acquisition of fertile
and free territory on the north, by honorable
and peaceful negotiation, shall, acre by acre
and province by province keep step with the
extension OF our borders on the SOUTH"
Finally, we give Mr.. Banks's opinions on the
question of Americanism
There is another subject to which our at.
tention is forcibly called by every davis history
and upon which do not hesitate to pronounce
my recorded opinions think it may be stated
as general truth, beyond question, that the
right to govern this country belongs to the
American People. l speak it in no proscrip
tive sense, but in the free and generous spirit
IN which 1t was spoken by American statesmen
| IN the Convention that framed the Constitution.
TO those OF foreign birth who had incurred with
| them the perils of the Revolution.
We may extend to foreigners a RIGHT of
participation in our Government, but we ougb,
not to surrender, under any circumstances our
right OF absolute control. In other times. thew
came In small numbers, and we're the ardent
friends OF Liberty. Now they come in clouds
and, while they claim our sympathy as refu
gees from oppression which has driven them
from their homes, they become here with some
exceptions, whether Intentionally or not, the
supporters OF policy that we think is likely TO
tasten upon an entire continent the woret sys-
tenn OF oppression the world knows, and which
threatens the existence of Republican liberty
here in its last stronghold"
The contest in Massachusetts, grows exciting.
Governor Gardner has taken the field with
courage, aud evidently very determined spirit.
1t it is possible, Mr.. Banks will be defeated.
All that perseverance,, persuasion, hard work.
can accomplish, towards the defeat of the can.
didates of the Republican and Anti. S lavery
Americans, we may be sure will be done.
1t remains to be seen whether the supporters
of Mr.. Banks have the energy and numbers to
secure triumph to Anti-Slavery principles in
Massachusetts,