Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-11-23
CLEARFIELD, PA, NOV. 90, 1859.
HON. EDWARD BATES ON SLAVERY.

The st. Louis ETening NetUS publishes long
article giving the views of Mr.. Bates on the
Slavery question. The News, though it does
not speak '.by authority says the opinions it
attributes TO Mr.. Bates are made mp of his pub
lie and private record. As Mr.. Bates is like
ly to be prominent among the opposition can
didates for the Presidency, the article has at
tracted considerable attention. The main
points it sets forth are as follows
Mr.. Bates does not believe that African sla-
very is beneficial institution. either in So
cial, political, or religious sense. Not in a
political sense, because il is productive of dis
cords between nations that tolerate it and na-
tions that do not, and because it Is liable to
panics, and has often ended in bloody revolu-
tions. Not in religious sense, because it
makes the word of God a sealed book to the
slave, and gives his body to the service of a
human master whereas the body of every
created being should be freely given to the
service of God. Because Mr.. Bates does not
believe that slavery is beneficial institution,
either in a social, political or religious sense,
he is unaterably opposed to its extension into
territories already free.
Mr.. Bates heartily endorses the sentiment,
and holds to the creed of Mr.. Clay, who de-
clared that his right arm should drop from his
shoulder before he would vote to extend sla-
very over one foot of territory already free
Mr.. Bates does not believe that the Constitu-
tion carries slavery into all the territories that
may be acquired by the United States. He
believes that freedom is the rule and slavery
the exception. He does not believe that sla-
very can exist in any territory acquired by the
government of the United States except by
the positive law of Congress. That law Mr..
Bates would not be in favor of passing, be-
cause, for reasons already given, he is opposed
TO the extension of slavery into territory al
ready free. Mr.. Bates denies that the eXclu-
sion OF slave property from territory acquired
by the common blood and treasure cf the u
nion establishes invidiOus distinction be-
tween the two sections Of the Union, and as
serts that the distinction complained OF is CO.
eval with the government and that the prohi-
bitlon of slavery from free territory was en-
bodied in the original compact of the Union,
for which the slave States were allowed in
Congress and in Presidential elections three
votes for every five slaves. He therefore does
not regard the non-admission of slavery into
territory establishing distinction between
property, but simply as maintaining distinc-
tion already established and willingly asscnted
TO by the South since the formation of the
Government. He regards the principle of the
Nebraska bill as rendering the introduction of
slavery into the territories impossible, and
does not believe that Congress will intervene
TO protect slave property in the territories
He firmly adheres to the rights of property in
slaves IN the States where slavery already eX-
lists, and if President he would execute the
Fugitive Slave Law, if the army and navy Of
the government were equal to the task.
He would consider the Union broken COM
pass if these plain guarantees were denied by
the deliberate and perseyering action of any
part of the cOnfederacy. If Congress should
legalize and pass laws protecting slave prop
erty in territories previously free, Mr.. Bates
would execute these laws promptly any
other laws of the land. He would not oppose
the admission of a State because of prO-sla-
very constitution. He would never cOunte-
nance National organization for any interfe-
renee whatever with slavery in the States.
He is glad to see the rapid and peaceful ex-
tinction of slavery in Missouri. without the
aid of emancipation parties, and without the
heat and acrimOny of domestic discOrd. By
his own example as we'll as by precept he has
shown that he prefers to live by his own labor
and not on the labor of slaves. He advocates
the procurement of foreign territory suitable
te-the ready and cheap colonization of free
blacks. The policy already broached in some
States, of selling again into slavery the free
blacks whom humane or grateful masters have
emancipated, unless these freed persons leave
the State, is in the highest degree cruel. 1t
is barbarous, and it would disgrace the Amer
lean people in the face of Christendom to per-
init such policy to prevail.