Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1859-08-19

at explanation have been volunteered by his
friends in that region. His position then and
no1r shows a strange contrast, considering that
he is the standard bearer of the party that
never changes front on any question!
But the inquiry propounded at the head of
this article has especial reference to a question
of more vital Importance at this juncture-
the power of Congress to prohibit slavery in
the territories. The State Convention that
put him in nomination also incorporated in the
platform adopted the following resolution:
Rescued, That any attempt by Congress, or
any of the States, TO establish or maintain, pro-
hibit or abolish. the relation of master and
slave in a Territory, would be a departure from
the original doctrine Of our American institu-
tions and that ne adhere, immovably, to the
principles of . non-aftervention by Congress
with Slavery in the States and Territories" as
declared in the Kansas Nebraska bill, and
openly disclaim fellowship with those, whether
in the South or North or the West, who coun-
sci the abandonment, limitation or avoidance
of that principle.
In 1913 Judge RANNET, then a candidate
for Congress, in answer to a letter of inquiry
as to his sentiments, made the following declar-
alton, which it will be observed conflicts some
lrhot with the resolution above quoted: Il
hare nc doubt Ct the pcuer Of Congress TO erect
Territorial GorerHments, and to p7oride for
the prohibition Of Saueyy IN the Territories, and
/ am IN fduer Of qad aro,ad support such pro
hibition." Has he ever ~repudiated the senti-
ments thus avowcd, and if so, when and
where? And if he has not, qchere does he 1aoar
stand ? Does he adhere to his opinions DELHI
%erately expressed in 1913, or does he new APP
prove those of the platform upon which be
at present stands? His position should be
known, but neither himself nor bis friends seem
inclined to shed light upon the subject.
That no injustice may be done him we give
the letter entire, except a paragraph, possessing
no interest at this time, giving his reasons for
supporting Cass for the Presidency rather than
Van Buren, or Taylor:
ARRES, sept. 81, 1915
DEAR Sir Constant engagements in Court
! give me but a moments time to answer your
communication of this date. Hope, however,
to be as explicit as l am brief, in responding to
the important questions propounded to me. l
! fully agree with YOU as to the Importance of
understanding the position and principles of all
candidates for public trusts. This is the right
of every %elector, iGdispensably necessary to be
enforced to enable him to act understandingly,
and the vital principle Of a representative OF
| Democracy. The corresponding duty Of the
candidate is to take his positions HONESTLY, and
to maintain them openly. His "errors may be
! safely tolerated while reason is left free to com
bat them"
I am in favor of maintaining the freedom of
the Territories of New Mexico and California
in their whole extent, and utterly opposed to
authorizing slavery or involuntary servitude of
any kind within them, or to any compromise
which shall doom any part of them to the curse
of human bondage. do not stop to state all
the reasons which bring me to this conclusion.
Suffice it to say the maintaining Of their free
dom is, in my Judgment due to humanity, to
Republican principles, to our character and in
terest as a people, to Mexico, and above all to
the poor of our own and other lands, who shall
go there to find homes for themselves and their
families, and who would be beggard and dis
oraced by the contact OF Stare tabor. Enter
t e thes7 views. if elected. should sup
port all such measures as were ca-c~~th 10
maintain them, taking care at all times not e.
overstep the limits of the national compact, or
to encroach upon the reserved rights of the
States. It is conceded that these territories
are now free They must remain so until
changed by positive law Of the sovereign pow
er.
No question Is better settled in this country
than that slavery exists in a State by virtue of
local law. sit is clear that it can no more eX-
list in a territory without such law than a man
can breathe without air. NEITHER CON
GRESS NOR A TERRITORIAL LEGIS-
LATURE, IN MY OPINION POSSESS
THE POWER TO ESTABLISH II. 1t
ca. only be done by the people when admitted
as a State :. under the general principles of the
Constitution l have no doubt of the pow
er of Congress to erect Territorial Govern
ments, and to PROVIDE FOR THE PRO
HIBITION OF SLAVERY WITHIN
TIE TERRITORIES. AND AM IN. FA-
VOR OF AND WOULD SUPPORT
SUCH PROHIBITION.
l do not think that :" the legal principle
against Territorial Slavery would be made
stronger by a prohibition, but as a public au-
thoritative declaration by Congress of the
facts that these Territories are now free, and
of the determination of the American people
to keep them so, it may be important at all
events it is open and fair dealing with all par
ties, and l should be unwilling to omit any
thing calculated to give security to the princi-
ple-our flag should never float over another
foot of slave Territory. You ask what meas
nre l am III favor of for maintaining the free
dom of those Territories have already sta
ted those which bear directly upon it-another
of great Importance, indirectly, wou,dbe to pro-
tect them, as well as our public lands, from the
blightiug curse of land monopoly. Without
such monopoly slavery cannot exist.
In regard to public lands as a trust in the
hands of the government for the benefit of the
people, and think they should be freely grant
ed, in limited quantities, to actual settlers only.
This, in my opinion, would settle them with a
hardy and industrious population of freemen.
In regard to slavery in the District Of Colum-
bia, l answer that more than ten years ago., l
had occasion to make public my opinion of
THE DUTY OF CONGRESS TO ABOL-
ISL SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA. The lapse ottime has only tend
ed to strengthen thatsopinion. The question as
to the power of Congress over the interstate
slave trade. has, l believe, been settled by the
Supreme Court.
These are my views, HONESTLY EN-
TERTAINED, and whether they agree with
the " Buffalo platform" can be seen by com
parison.
Very respectfully,