The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-08-13


HIS OPINIONS ON THE COMPROMISES AND THE RIGHTS
OF NATURALlZED CITIZENs-wHAT HE THINKS OF
HIS PROSPECTS, IN MAINE
Col JOIN L. PEyroS, staunton, Va:
My DEAR SIR-You do me no more than Justice in your
kind letter, for which accept my thanks assuming that
respecting The rights Of naturazed citizens as defined in
the Le Cierc letter." which, 1t is proper 10 observe
have been since materially modified.
Undcr constitution there be no Just distinction
between the right OF native born and naturazed citizens
70 claim the protection OF our government at home and
lied from all obligations which he owed TO his native
country by virtue Of his allegiance, leaves him in the
sad predicsment OF owing allegiance 10 two coun-
tries, without receiving protection from eher-a dilemma
in which no American citizen should ever be placsd.
Neither have you Inexperienced my opinions In res.
poet &c the African save uase That question seriously
disturbed the harmony o. the Convention which framed
the federal constitution Upon it the delegates divided
into two parties, under circumstances which, time,
rendered harmonious action hopeless The
the instant and unconditional prohibition of the african
elave trade, on moral and religious grounds while the
other insisted that it a legitimate commerce, nvov-
ing no other consideration than sound public policy,
which each State ought to be permitted to determine for
ITSELF 10 long as was sanctioned by its laws Each
party stood firmly and resolutey by its position
until both became convinced that this vexed
question would break up the Convention, de-
siroy the federal Union, blot out the glories Of
the Revolution, and throw away all its blessings,
unless and just COMPROMISE could be formed on
the ground of such mutual concessions as were
indispensable TO the preservation Of their liberties union
and Independence
the constitution, by which IL understood that the
African slave trade might continue a legitimate
merce In those States whose laws sanctioned until 1905
from and after which time Congress might and would pro-
hib it forever throughout the dominion and its Of the
United sAtes and pass all laws which might become
oeesary to make such prohibition efectuRl The harmo
ny OF the Convention was restored and the Union saved
by this compromise without which the constitution could
Island firmly by this compromise and by all the other
compromises Of the constitution and shall use my best
efforts carry each and all them into faithful
they originally adopted In accordance with this
compromise, rreconoeably opposed TO the revival
OF the African Save trade in any form and under any
circumstances. s. A. DOUGLAS
WASHINGTON, July ls, 1859.
R. Lyman, ESQ CHAIRMAN, &c Portland, Me-: =
inst with respect the invitation which the Democratic
State Committee honored with to visit Name and id
dress the people during the approaching political can
vars. Your letter informs me OF the action Of
the members of the State Committee appointed
Bangor on the Both u whereby the invitation Of their
predecessors to me ratified, and "sub committee Of
my visit, If the invitation should be accepted
These proceedings Of the authorized agents Of the de-
mocIacy Of Maine all me with profound gratitude, and
to others could prevent an acceptance OF the invitation
which they have 80 generously rendered Ny private
letter to you under date OF the 18th inst informed you
Of the delicate health of my family, and expressed the
fear thai II would be impossible, under such clrcum
stances, for me to leave them during the next month
(Augus) when the State Committee require my SER
vices. formal reply to the invitation Of the Com
mittee was purposely withheld in the hope that
l might, after all, be enabled to accept II, was,
and sl is, my cordial wish My family physician now
advises me that would be highly imprudent for to
make the contemplated VISIT and requires 10 remain
render usua residence d Chicago during the recess
Of Congress- impraccable.
have read the resolutions adopted by your recent State
Convention with the livelest satisfaction The democ-
racy OF Maine have planted themselves firmly on the
great principle OF popular sovereignty, and they fight
na NM AdanA than Vi
will crown their Efforts Tho odds are against them,
admit but they be and will be overcome by vgor-
Gus, energetic political action. Let them go into tho con-
test with stout hearts and strong ars resolved 70 VIM
and they do not rout their opponents they will so Grip
pie them ct least that they will put 2omocrauc triumph
In Maine in 1860 beyond contingency or dirpute:
s A DOUGLAS.