Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-11-12
NIr. hates, OF Missouri.

This gentleman having been spoken of in
connection with the Opposition nomination
for the Presidency, his views upon the ques-
ton of slavery have been frequently called
| for. The St. Louis E0ening Neps of the Sth
| inst, responds to these calls in long and
ably written exposition of his opinions.
The following is a synopsis of the article of
the Ne,cs:
! Mr.. Bates does not believe that African
| Slavery is benehclal Institution, either in
social. political, or religious sense Not in
a political sense, because it is productive of
discords between nations that toleI ate it and
| nations that do not, and because it is liable
to panics. connections, instructions and
massacrcs, and has ended often in bloody
| revolutions. Not in religious sense, be-
cause it makes the word of God sealed
book to the slave, and gives his body to the
| service of human master; whereas the body
of every created being should be freely given
| 10 the service of God. Because Mr.. Bates
| does not believe that slavery is a beneficial
| institution, either in social, political or
| religious sense, he is unalterably 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
slavery over one foot of territory already
free. Mr.. Bates does not believe that
the Constitution carries slavery into all the
territories that may be acquired bv the
United States. He believes that freedom
is the rule and slavery the exception. He
does not believe that slavery can exist in
any territory acquired by the government
OF the United States except by the posi-
tive law of Congress. That law Mr. Bates
would i'm nf
for reasons already given, he is opposed to
the extension of slavery into territory al
ready free. Mr.. Bates denies that the ex-
ciuslon Of slave property from territory ac-
quired by the common blood and treasure Of
the Union establishes an invidious distinc-
ton between the two sections of the Union
and asserts that the distinction complained
of is cocyal with the government and that
the prohibition of slavery from free terri
tory was embodied 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-admis-
sion OF slavery into territory as establishing
distinction between property but simply
maintaining distinction already established
and willingly assented to by the South since
the formation of the Government. He re-
CARDS the principle of the Nebraska bill as
rendering the Introduction of slavery into the
territories impossible, aud does not believe
Congress Will intervene to protect slave pro-
perty In the Territories He firmly adhercs
TO the rights of property in slaves in the
states where slavery already exists, and if
President he would execute the Fugitive
Slave Law, if the army and navy of the Gov
eminent were equal to the task
lie would consider the Union broken
compact if these plain guarantees were de-
MED by the deliberate and persevering action
OF any part of the confedcracy. If Congress
should legaliZe and pass laws protecting
slave property in territories previously free,
Mr.. Bates would execute these laws as
promptly as any other laws of the land He
would not oppose the admission of a State
because of pro-slavery Constitution. He
would never couDtenance a National organi-
Zailon for any interference whatever with
slavery in the States.
He is glad to see the rapid and peaceful
extinction of slavery in Missouri without
the aid OF emancipation parties. and without
the heat and acTimony of domestic discord.
by his own example, rs well as by preeept
he has shown that he prefers To live 10y his
own labor, and not on the labor of slaves.
lie advocates the procurement of foreign
territory suitable to the ready and cheap
colonization of free blacks. The policy al
ready broached in some States, of selling
again into slavery the free blacks whom hui
name or grateful masters have emancipated,
unless those freed persons leave the State. is
in the highest degree cruel. 1t is barbarous,
and 1t would disgrace the American people
IN the face OF ChrstendOm 10 permit such
policy TO prevail.