The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1859-09-01
Van Antw erp set Right ON the Rec.

Van Antw erH set Right ON the Rec.
ord.
Some Eve or six years ago We remember
Gen. Van Antwerp made speech in rail-
road meeting in tho city, and went out of his
way 70 ssset himself right on the record" as
be said, in regard to banks. By some means
it seems that be fsared that the Democratic
party we're getting weak in the back and
shaky in the knees on the hard moneys
question. He, therefore, great leader Of
the party and disciple and friend Of "old
Bullion, took that occasion to set himself
right on the record, and then and there full
minated his eternal hostility to banks and
banking. Van Antwerp has since, Is most
of our readers know, been actively engaged
in getting up and organizing the Branch Of
the State bank here, and figures quite grand.
y a. its friend and advocate on the street
corners. -
But since the General has increased his
Importance and won still greater distinction
by the publication Of the history Of bis visit
to West Point, it becomes more impor-
tant than ever that he should DO kept ssright
on the record and more especially upon
that all-important and absorbing question Of
squatter sovereignty. To this end, there
fore, We volunteer our public aid not only to
set him right but to brighten up the record.
On the l4th Of June, 1849, Gen. Van Ant
werp wrote long communication to the
Dispatch, the then Democratic organ of Ke-
okuk, in defence of Col. Benton, of Missouri,
and in glorifcstion OF himself as Bsnton's
intimate personal friend. We have no. heard
that the Gen. has changed his views on the
subject of "squatter sovereignty and should
be pleased to have him expose the "absurd
dogma" in speech at a democratic meeting,
some of these nights, for the enlightenment
Of his brethren who seem to be full of that
absurdity.
We publish the closing portion Of the let
ter ms follows:
What now becomes of the absurd DOGMA
Of Mr.. Calhoun and bis followers, that there
is emo Constitutional power in Congress- to
legslate upon the subject Of slavery in the
Territories belonging to the United States,
but that that power 10 In the Territories
themselves, q poeition perfectly untenable, ns
Col. Benton clearly shows, and against all
the action OF the Government heretofore p
lie does not think it accessory to apply the
Jeffersonian proviso to our territory in New
Mexico and California, BECAUSE that
TERRITORY Is ALREADY FORBIDDEN GROUND TO
SLAVERY, and he would not pass an act to
keep 1t out whereif 10 not ,olc, and conn OF
possibly 90, but at the same time be utterly
| scouts the miserable dogma OF UKcoNsrrru-
TIoNALrrY attached to such an act BY Calhoun
and his "adjuncts" and boldly shadows forth,
in substance, and repeatedly and emphati.
cally, in the course OF his speech, that so
long as bis pen or voice, can help to prevent
IL, slavery ciH necer be allotced to 90 upon
! soil that Is trse, while it remains the prop
erty and under the control Of the United
States!
This 10 his position, clearly and boldly de-
fined in his speech, and it ought not TO be
misrepresented. No possible good can re
suit from doing so--while harm possibly
may. In this position the Demo cracy of Lee
have sustained him, and 40 will that of the
entire State, or am deceived.
As it will probably be impossible for YOU
to give the whole speech Of Col. B. io one Or
even two numbers Of the Dispatch. piense
give the following extracts, which OCCUR Ia
different portions OF il, aud show unmistaka q.
bly, and precisely where he stands upon the
subject be 10 discussing, as we'll in tavor Of
the Constitutional power in Congress over il.
as against the possibility Of s'oonpro mising'
away that power by any future action in tina,
body. VI VAN ANTWERP.
We make two brief extracts from the view,
Of Col. Benton, in the speech 90 highly com.
mended by the General
1t 10 absurd TO deny to Congress the powe,
to legislate as it pleases upon the subject Of
slavery in territories--it has exercised III,
power, and with the eanction Of all authori
ties, State and Federal, from the foundation
! .. The SoTsT1u0ut 10 inc present time an,
never had it questioned, until Mr.. Ualhou,
put forth those unfortunate resolutions, from
which he had 70 back out under his own m or
/ ufying contradictions. 1t il absurd 10 CLAIM
it for the Territories. They have no form d
government but that which Congress give
them, and no legislative power but that vhicl
Congress allows them. Congress govern
the Territory as it pleascs, and ia vay ia
compatible with the Constitution, and OF th
any State that has been Territory is . com
4 vtA al