Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-09-23
Vandeverss Letter to the Jackson Journal.
..-Nank AbOlitlOnism.. l.. II pudence and
Shutting Unparalleled.

aDSurultlcS-DuL OF all the T0NT pas
ever committed within the period OF
our recollection, the mistake of MIR.
Surveyor Vandever in the expression
of such sentiments as are contained in
his letter to the Jackson JOurRal will
take the premium. In our issue Of
yesterday we promised to give this let
ter in full. Here it is:
My position has always been, and always
will be, in favor of making all our Terrific
ries free-feeling con fident that it will keep
free, the people inhabiting them will never
he guilty of the folly Of adopting Slave
Constitution. The only fear have for the
Territories is. that should bred Scottish pre-
vail in the administration of the Govern
ment, and Slavery be not only recognized
but protected in the Territories, that the
people may become SO far demoralized by
the influence of the institution as 20 consent
to the adoption Of a Slave Constitution
Under such circumstances, could not regard
a Slave Constitution as the free act and deed
of tie people, and could not, by any vote Of
mine, aid in the perpetration of the wrong
and injury sought to be inflicted.
have said, and repeat it, that if Slave
ry is only excluded from the Territories of
the Union, if the Government will as it
should do. but outlaw so odious an insttu
ton. l am, under such circumstances, per-
fectly willing to leave the whole response
bility with the people at the formation of
their State Government. But even under
these circumstances, would not vote for
the admission of State whose Constitution
expressly legalzed the institution of Slavery
for the simple reason, that could not regard
such Constitution as Republican.
Most truly ours,
WILLIAM VANpEvER.
In his speech at Delhi, as we have
proven by the afiidavits of eleven of
the most prominent citizens of that
place, Mr.. Vandever declared that he
would vote for the admission ofa slave
State, prov;ded, 1t apos the acish of Ike
people to come into the Union Nth a
SLAVE Constitution.
Afterwards, when he discovered the
great mistake which he had made, he
directed his home organ, the Dubuque
Times, to say that it "could state with
confidence, and speak advisedly, in
saying that Mr.. VandeAcr had made
no such statements" Finding that
the dodge Of putting bold face on the
matter and denying that he had ever
descended SO low as to abandon his
principles for the purpose Of catching
votes, would not 60 down and fearing
the appearance of the affidavits which
we offered to publish, he at once sat
down and wrote the letter which we
have copied above, endeavoring to err
plain the sentiments the declaration
Of which had been fastened upon him.
To explain and harmonic his ex-
preston at Delhi with his principles
as . republican, he has found task o.
considerable difficulty; but with the
desperation Of q drowning man he
makes an attempt.
i He 10 in favor of the admission of
slave State if it is the soish Of the 1,eo
pile, ETC." but if thew should adopt
; slavc Constitution, he could not re
gard it - the free act and deed Of tn
people.
: For sublime brasen faced impudenc
this attempt to get around his owl
declarations is unparalleled and vii
be treated with deserved contemr
, BY the intelligent people whom he
. seeking'to bsmboosle'"
He Il in favor Of letting the peopl
!, have their own way il they will adoE
! : free Constitution, but if they desire
J slavs Constitution. be scsnnot regal
Il - their free act and deed. So Ion
- hey agree with him they are
!. havs their own way, but whsnsv,
I ths1 60 81 y Dissent nd ~ ~ tAsai
Skas1> ShaA IN an Sn1Sk1ns AksA ssaa