The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-03-16
SENATOR SLIDELL AND THE KANSAS


QUESTION.
The following letter from the Hon. John Slidell, |
was read at the recent Lecompton meeting in Tam
many Hall:
SENATE CHAMBER March |, 1858.
DEAR SRs: hasten to acknowledge the receipt
of your invitation to attend meeting of citizens of
New York, at Tammanv Hall, on Thursday next, |
called for 'the purpose of expressing their concur,
renee with and Strengthening the hands of the Ma
tonal Executive in the which he has recon-
mended for the admission of Kansas into the Union
The brlef but pregnant sentences which you hay
extracted from the recent message of the President
truly present the issue under discussion here.
1t involves "the peace and quiet of the whole coun
try" not merely for the moment. but as believe,
for all future time. Let scheming politicians at
tempt to disguise it as they may, whatever may be
the preteXts by which they seek to mislead the
masses, no one who has observed their course can
hesitate for one instant to believe that their oppo-
stion to the admission of Kansas is based entirely
on that provision of its Constitution by which slave
ry is recognized. All alleged irregularities in the
proceedings attending the formation of the Conven-
ton and the adoption Of the Constitutions would
have been overlooked had slavery been prohibited.
We of the South, can have safety for the future
but in a rigid adherence to the doctrine of non-n-
PREVENTION. In this case we are contending only
for the abstract principle involved, while our oppo-
nents will probably enjoy all the immediate party
advantages resulting from the admission. With us
1t is not simply question of principle, but point
Of honor, and the offence, if Kansas be rejected
will be aggravated by the fact Of its being purely
gratuitous.
If she be rejected because slavery nominally and
temporarily exists within her mits-I am now as
Stunning to correct the assertion so confidently
made, that vast ma jority of her inhabitants are
opposed to it-what may expect when appca-
ton shall be made for the admission of State, of
which 1T will be real and permanent institution?
The scale OF political preponderancy is every year
gravltating more and more rapidly in favor of the
free States; if to be treated with contumelv
and injustice, now, while we are yet strong enough,
physically and morally, to protect ourselves what
may we look for when we shall be comparatively
weak and defenceless? We are told every day that
our apprehensons are unfounded-that no DISPOSE
ton is entertained by any considerable party at the
North to interfere with slavery in the States |
have faith in those declarations. If ever the
party which controls New England and most
| of the free States shall have a majority in both
branches of Congress with President of its choice,
war will be waged against our institutions which
! can only terminate in revolution.
There is no apparent excitement among Southern
| Senators and Representatives among our peo-
pie at home, no meetings with inhammatOry speech
es and threatening resolutions The calmness of the
South is misunderstood there are sentiments utter
ed every day In Congress, which, in times past
would have been received with cries of indignation
| we now listen to them with GOODNESS which is mis-
taken for Indifference 1t is this very calmness tha
| if it were understood, would most alarm those Of
our Northern brethren who really love the Union,
it is the repose of fixed resolve the silence of stern
| purpose infinitely dangerous than the most
! boisterous declarations. You will hear no more
from the South of menace expostuation.
If Kansas be admitted with the LecomptOn Con
sttution all agitation will cease in few weeks the
people of the North will look back with wonder t,
the storm it has excited. If she be rejected the ag-
itation will be prolonged until peaceful solution
will become impossible With every reason, so far
as material interests are concerned to be united
and harmonious people, a deep feeling of alienation
might say of hostility exists, between certain
portions of the Confederacy. The adoption or re-
lection of the course recommended BY the President
will decide whether this feeling shall be kept alive
and embttered until longer continuance of an as
ISOLATION distastetu and repusive to bothaparties
shall be intolerable, whether by generous emu
lation in the interchange of good Offices we shall
once more become in spirit in form, a homogene-
! GUS people.
The Union has no more devoted adherent than
| am but by this mean the Union of the COnStitu-
ton, the Union of States with equal rights and priv
ileges in saying this, | not only express nv indi-
vidual sentiments, but faithfully reflect the opin-
ions and feelings of vast majority of the people of
| Louisiana State which from its peculiar geo
graphical position, the character of its population,
and its vast commerce, foreign and domestic is emf
nently conservative.
My official duties not permitting my absence,
have thus succnctly offered the opinion which YOU
| have asked The high character and standing. DO
htical and social of the gentlemen who have called
your meeting, give that it will be one of
the most imposing demonstrations ever made in
your great metropolis, and that it cannot fail to ex
ercise most happy influence. | regret extremely
that 1t Will not be IN my power to participate in ii
personally. Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JOHN SLIDELL.
Messrs. A. Froment, Isaac Townsend and others
Committee, &C., New Iork.