New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-08-15
An AFTERNOON WITH EDWARD BATES
HIS RELATIONS TO SLAVERY AND OTHER PoLITi-
CAL NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. AND THE PREsi-

did NOT suppose when informing you of the pleasant
afternoon had enjoyed with Judge Bates, tina, it
would elicit the rqusition you have made on me.
Happening recently at 81. Louis, friend suggested
drive out to Judge Bsess residence, which is just
beyond the city limits and about four miles from the
Court House. There being vacation in most Of the
Courts, he enjoying few days relaxation from
the drudpery of his very large practice to which Dur
INC term time he laborously oevoes himself; and we
had most delightful visit Of several hours, looking
through his fine garden examining his extensive grape
~, and discussing the politics Of the day IN the most
free and upreserved manner.
had not Mr.. Bates since the great harbor and
river Convention in this city twelve years ago
which he pretded. His magnificent speech a. its adj
yournment, which entranced the seDogrsphers, as
well as the audience, TT at full report Of was ever
written out, lngers on my memory yet as very mss
ferpiece OF eoquepce and jusiies the enoyy of tbst
place in the highest class Of American oratory. lie
has changed in personal appearance less than ex-
peced 10 find and bis iron constitution seems entirely
unimpaired. The gray hairs Of age are ssep on bis
head, but they by no mears predomnate; ard although
yus o. his step ia firm, his eye clear, being able TO
read without spectacles and his backbone as sanch
"a the most Of peoples at 40 His family is long
lived enc; his mother not dying till go, and maiden
sister still living in his house at 81. He attributes his
vigorous health to constant occupation although 1
ehould give bis temperate habits isrge SHARE OF the
credit for not being besee1 with superfuy of the
worlds goods, and having been blessed as ia usual IN
such cases, with large family having had 10 chill
drep, he has lived laborous life, and schooled him
seh to enjoy the tolls Of his profession. Reminding
you he does of the statesmen of the olden time he
has illustrated their example by his own uDconcerp for
the bopors Of political life. Often declining nomna-
lions which would have been cordially conferred If he
had been willing TO accept them, he felt it duty to
his family to return to President Fillmore unscceped,
tie Cabinet appointment with which he was honored
In 1850; and although by indifferent spec
fator Of public affairs he has steadily through life re-
garded the private station the post OF honor aud In
dependence Aware too, as he is, that his name 10 on
many lips in connection with the Presidency he never
alluded to it in whole conversation, although ne
spoke several times Of the sad results which the country
might expect if the present Administration was sue
Ceeded by one kindred to 1t in sentiment, ana OF the
suspicious future to which union OF the Opposition
might lead. -.
Mr. Bates converses freely and frankly with his
neRhbors and friends, he always has done, IN re-
gard to the political condition Of the country And
do not feel therefore that betray any confidence in
giving you some points of conversation which
may be of interest in your section; especially as find
his views are well known by leading in St. Louis
of all parties, with whom conversed.
And FIRST let cay that the paragraph in his letter
TO the New York Wings, deprecstiDg the agitation OF
the negro question" has been by many m.sund :
he has ever been connected he consented n, the re-
quest of Wing Committee, to write the letter which
was published; and, while sternly condemning the
plots for Cuban annexation Mexican protectorates,
&c. ard defining his views as requested by them on
other questions, such as river and harbor improve.
ments, Pacific Railroad, determinations IN favor OF
has his opposition to continual and persistent aglta-
ton on the Slavery question. But his plan Tor stop
ping that agitation is to crush out politically the DEM
oorstio party which, as he shOwed In the same letter
Is continually opening fountains OF d,scord on that
very queetion. His own life is the best exsmpfcaton
Of his position. Although not entirely satsied with
all the details of the compromise measures OF io0o no
was willing to accept and abide by them, suoec as
Mr. Fillmore stated in bis message, to such amend
mepts az time and experience might prove the necee
6ty of-bu with the full understanding, to when ne
supposed the Democrats were also bonnd, Dy Tue
pledges If their ststesmen and the platform Oh the
11s,t1 in 1859 that under no circumstances should
Congress be asked for any more iegislau4n on tna'
exciting question to favor either section OF the on'
When therefore less than four years aierwaf1, mi;
Douelas and the Democratic Administration, elected
on these solemn pledges OF non-aga,on anr ps"Iho
nronosed and pressed Congress the repeai %, tlS
time honOred Missouri COMPROMISE ns MI Rates openly
resisted IT, not alone by voice and speech, out oy
rate articles in the St. Louis papers over his W.
Anown signature, deprecatng this reckless h
of an exciting quesion-defending, as ne ama! oi
done the constitutionality of that comPIomise-anu
appealing to the South to stand In gooa f"'n' W I've
provisions. :. vansos which
followed for eevera years. he STORMY opposed tne per
sscu,ipr noiicy of Pierces Administration Finally,
when Hecompton was presented to Congress, G anu
backed by the whole power OF the Admnlstra.o9 liz
pen again portrayed ana and ds;raceul
EpgEsh bill he similarly rebuked In wor1, Wnno
sjroerev desiring peace and cessation OF the slavery
agitation and protesting that the negro question ought
t 10 he the governing dominant question OF the coun-
tIy he has neither Preached nor practiced suom:sop
and his letter therefore was no more ntenueu 70 TO
r~osch Republicans as party than himself as han;
lie believes that by exiting the Democratic party aha
its reckless plottes and agitators from power auu ~
Installing pfher place an Administrator ooAns " suo
development of present territory Iauel tuaN
pspsion in either q northern or southern dnecuon
ting its face like flint against hhousierhg, anu az
other wild schemes Of territorial aggrandizou'en, anu
fostering far Is gUeq cam IL few
years be restored to the policy and the paths It's
II is already we'll known that he regards the exist
eace of Slavery in Missouri as misfortune, GIlPPns
ia prosperity and ietading its growth; and ne Den.Ves
hs desned by her position and her true interests 10
haComa ultimately Free Labor State, gratuaIy out
none the ess surely. He did HE part toward II,
wears ago. by educating the last slave he ever heu
Learning him the shoemaker sue ,Ss sssS sister Of
Whom before spoke living in his house. ana VINO on9
cwned 20 in all has been for many years r a'uaiy
smancpating hers; till lew weeks ago IN 'no oou,.
mt ST. Louis az the pres OF that ci'y naS ,o on ~
sbown sbe manunted the few that were iei euu
u, aa,,srsd her connection also with the institution
49, the sovereign power Of Congress over the Ter
r;toy;as the Judge remarked that ne hso 'eSi nou -
from the great Of the past, Mr.: CAnouI ap.u
ceoted and was too old 10 unlearn II now. iia .
entertaining profound respect 70, aus Sapreme
s.oart disuissIg the case Of bred Scot, or want "
iursdcton though bis judgment dd nor con.u. 49,
fheirs But the lopg essays when, ~'nous Hny IN
before them the Judges then went on " ~
,.as,d 10 the copstitutionsly OF the Missouri Nop
80 and the Constitution carrying slavery mo tne
Tr.io or propyta rlgoTe, he regardeo aS oHna "
AL ,.5 noftics and entitled to no more weigh "
authority than the came number ot spooo"'' "
nent Senators in the Lecompton aeva,o rsmsrks on
AZ, Cor nNY