Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-10-17
Is JOHN BELL SAFE Nowp

One Of the most exciting topics at one time was
the abolition Of slavery in the District of Columbia
Recently, in consequence Of Judge Douglas posi-
ton, the public mind has been diverted to the ques
ton to the prohibition of slavery in the terrific
RES The same results, however, are involved
Would the South now submit to the abolition Of
slavery in District situated in the heart of two Of
the slaveholding States. Then, are we prepared to
have free territory places of refuge for slaves in
the dock yards navy yards, &C. in the South, where
Congress has exclusive jurisdiction; for the same
principle will obtain in those localities if the views
of the abolitionists prevail Could we rely upon
Mr. Bell to veto any bill having this tendency with
his avowed opinions in 1850. re.asserted late as
1858? Will Southern opposition men, at such
crisis disregard this vtalquestion by preferrng Mr.
Bell to Mr.. Breckenridge? Here is the record of
Mr.. Bell On 18th September, 1850. in speech in
the Senate of the United States, he said:
with regard to the Constitutional power of Con-
gress over this subject would say that the only
doubt have Of the existence of the power either to-
suppress the slave trade to abolish slavery in this
District, is inspired by the respect have for the
opinions of SO many distinguished men, both in and
out of Congress, who hold that Congress has no
such power. Reading the Constitution for myself,
l believe that Congress has all the power over the
subject in this District which the States have within
their respective Jurisdictions.
But however great my respect may be for the opin-
ions OF others on the question of power, there are
some considerations of such high account as, in my
Judgment to make it desirable that unless by COM
mon consent the project of abolition shall be wholly
given up and disbanded, the remnant Of slavery ex-
sting in the District should be abolished at once
at the present moment, however, the excited state
of public sentiment in the South growing ont of ter
ritorial questions, seems to forbid such course
For myself if the sentiment of the adjacent States
and Of the South generally were less iniamed,
would prefer that course to keeping it an open ques
ton. Slavery in the District of Columbia is now
remaining point Of objection and assault the part
Of the antislavery North. do not include the IA
natics. They will be satisfied with nothing short
of the extinction of slavery in the States but all
others at the North dscaim any intention or design
any constitutional power 70 interfere with slavery
anywhere but in the District of Columbia. would
be glad to all cause of disturbance and conten-
ton in the District wholly removed but let me say
that this never be done by the abolition of slave
ry, unless it be accompanied by some adequate pro-
vision for the removal or the effective control of the
slaves after they shall have been emancipated-
With this qualification, and in order to test the de-
termination Of the North in regard to any further
and continued aggression upon Southern feelings
and the security of Southern property, I aoouM be
content to sapery in the District abolished to-
day. In one aspect Of the subject am not sure
snaS ~ "Ouu not NC Stedt CONSERVATIVE measure,
both regards the Union and the interests of the
South This Dstrc. once relieved of all sources of
dissension, we should be speedily enlightened upon
the question whether the North would stop there or
raise new and more dangerous issues"
When this extract was read, in February, 1858,
by his colleague, Hon. A. johnson, Mr.. Bell said:
II do not care to refer to the paragraphs which
my colleage read from speech made by me in 1850
on the Compromise measures of that period, be-
cause do not at all repent them as I understand
them. There may, perhaps, be an accidental mis-
print have not had time to examine; but do
not wish to retract any sentiment then uttered. =
l hold the same sentiments now. I do
not find the least occasion to change them" Gong
Globe, 1878, part l, page S34.)
Will Southern men endorse these sentiments of
Mr.. Bell2 By voting for him, you certainly will
substantially say "T believe Congress has the pow
er to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia,
and thinking that it would remove all cause of dis
turbance and contention, would be content to see
slavery in the District abolished today!" Is it not
time for those inclined to vote for Mr. Bell in conse
quence of the rupture in the Democratic party, to
pause, when, in Breckenridge, you have candidate
perfectly sound and reliable p Wilson Star Of
Freedom.