Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-11-17

Important Political Document
Authoritative Exposition of the
Position of Edward Bates on the
Slavery question-Frecdom the
Ru'e-Slavery the Exception
ff6n. the St Louis Evening News NV. 9th.
Aue of the Opposition papers of Mis-
souri, (the st. Joseph West among them.)
while admitting the indeceuey of private
citizens. "a ho euppose themselves candidates
for the Presidency, thruating their opinions
Oh all questions u1asked, on the country.
nevertheless appear to think that the case
Of Edward Bates is an exception. They
claim that Mr. B:teS stands so prominently
before the country as possible candidate
for the Presidency. and that the anxiety of
Massachus etts is so great 10 declare in favor
of him, if his views on the Slave Question
are acceptable TO Them, that Mr.. Bates ought
TO make public his views on that one subject
at least. Otherwise, many citizens, after
committing themselves to his support, nj ght
find themselves in false position.
There will be no occasion for any citizen
ever feeling any embarrassment on Mr.
Bates account. He is not candidate for
the Presidency, and will not seem. BY pub
fishing letters unasked, and on even the
most trifling occasion, 10 be courting atten-
tong to his views.
But if Mr.. Bates should be made can
didate by the authoritative voice of his
country, he will obtain no vote upon false
pretences. He will stand supon no juggle,
like the Cincinnati Platform, with its am
biguous and double readings. The country
will know his position on all questions,
manifest'y as in letters of living light. Till
then, Mr. Bates views Of Slavery will mt
probably be more formally set forth.
But as the Evening News. several months
ago, presented the name of Mr.. Bates as
the favorite of the St. Louis Oppositionists
! for the Presidency, il is reasonably to be
supposed that we had sufficient knowledge
of his opinions, on this and other subjects,
to justify the nomination of him. l. may
be tha. we know enough of his views, even
now, to satisfy the more importunate quer-
lists in the matter. The following are what
we are sure will be fohnd to be the views
Of Edward Bates on the Slavery Question::
TIcAlLY OR RELieIoUsDY.
Mr.. Bates does not believe that african
Slavery is this cornerstone of Liberty
He does net believe that African Slavery
is beneficial Institution, either in a social,
political, or religious sense. Not in so.
cial sense, because it sets at naught the
family relation and separates man and wife,
parents and children, at the caprice or on
the necessities of owners; not in politic-
al sense, because it is productive of dlscords
between nations that tolerate it, and ma
tions that do not, and because it is liable to
panics, commotions, insurrections and mas
sacres,. and has ended often in bloody re-
vouiions; not in q religious sense, because
it shuts the mind against knowledge, makes
the word of God sealed book to the Slave
and gives his body to the service of a hu-
man master, whereas the body OF every
created being should be freely given to the
service of God.
ITS EXTENSION UNCONSTITUTIONAL EXCEPT
BY AFFIRMATIVE LEGISLATION.
Because Mr.. Bates does not believe shat
slavery is beneficial institution, either in
social political, or religious sense, he is
unalterably opposed 10 It's estension in The
Territories already free. Mr.. Bates, in his
political creed, is Henry Clay Whig; aud
Nr. Clay declared that his "right arm should
drop from his shoulder before he would vote
TO extend slavery over one foot of territory