New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-04-28
Bales and VIM. L Ds, ton with acclanalioa- Weap
pend Judes Bates's letter: r
LETTER OF THE HON. EDWARD BATES OF
MISSOURI.

POO Juoeo Dates q iettof'
LETTER OF THE HON. EDWARD BATES OF
MISSOURI. ..-t
"sr LOUIS, No., s.pt. 6, 1873
"GRo. ii SroSE, EsQ.-Dear SIR; GA my return
hcme, after an absercs o. NE nGe, reesived your
letter upon the subject Of the Buffalo Convention
For nearly twenty ye,ri, have been wholly rs-
tired from pnbc HE, aspiring TO no public honefs
sskiDg DO pubic Office, and iaking 10 part 10 public
sfairs, except such part everJ private man most
sss who feels els % interest s the SSSsf Ssass gov %,
opinions have not and are no. entitled TO have auy
weight or influence 10 giving form and directoa 70
public sentu ent, beyond the narrow circle IN which
babi,usly move.
"Dot Your letter, bearing as does the impress OF
respectshty and frsnkuess is entitled to my respect
full consideration and courtesy feel bound 70 give
II fair and ffsnk answer.
you sst has Congress- power 80 to legsats for the
Territories az 70 prevent the introduction OF Slavery
where IL does nct already exlet2
Second 'Supposine the power In CoDgress-isit
polite and right TO exsicise II 2
1hird: Should the Convention see Git to use my
object7
"Before answering these questions, bear with me
in a few remarks. 1 was bore in Virginia, aud have
always lived in savehodng State. And tnus it may
be far for Northern man 10 suppose that all my
preudiees Of mind and feeling arising from habit and
association would lead me to favor the extension of
the area Of Slavery.
"On the other hand have some advantages in re-
hot to ali sections Of the country. First personal
advantage Ambitious politicians, in eager pursuit Of
Official ho1oIs are sometimes detesiet IRON the ex-
precision OF opiDoDs by the questionable policy OF try
ing to retain the popularity and Influence by swim
ming with the current however muddy It may DO, and
10 Whatever gulf it may flow. am free from
all tuch ieaIs aud restrained In the expression
Of aDy opinion honestly formed by any reason OF am
bitous or interested policy. Not that to DO
any better tao otheFe, but shat | am free from
any ter ptt TO concealment Ihavs no inlasnse 30
losef; seek 20 office; l SAX for nothing that the
People or h: rulers can give THIS m not and
from her geographical position, can Do an impartial
Judge Of THIS country is one and indlvlsiole. God
has joined them together, ard cemented them as they
by the aria and interests OF commerce AID locomo-
ton Ii ID past the power of either party to put them
asunder. : We may bieker for time about
mDo, questions; but for al that neither party will
coDeent TO divorce for these domestic lars We viii
STICK together, and raise up united family the Jut-
est The world ever saw.
But to Jour questions.
I" IL aDswer to the frat, say most certainly have
not shsdow of donbt that the power exists.
{" Ihose that oeny this power Of Congress put their
denial upon the ground that slaves property and
therefore they claim that the owners have right to
take them wherever they 60.
Admit that they are property by the laws OF GER
tain States wherein they found 1t does hot follow
that man may take hig property with him wherever
HE has a right to go.
"A planter cannot take his ield.hands to dine with
him at tie table LOLe OF the CnAIlesLOn Ilobtl
Cannot bs own 80 as to annoy other people. Aud
"A Missouri trader cannot take hig barrel of alcohol
acrofe Western line If he d0es the aciof congress
of 1884 sut scs the offender to heavy pen3lt,es And
surely the owner has a more absolute Tght IN aud
over the alcohol than the negro. He may destroy the
one without ofst sc; but if he wautony destroys the
oihtr he must atone for the crime with his life or
liberty.
Second Surprising the power in Congress, is it
right or Iolitie to exercise til
+" THIS Is question Of expectancy. IT, before Tue
late Mexican treaty. my single vote could have settled
tie question Vi old have ut upon the Statute Book
pc sitive pronbion If Slavery in all Terrt Try there
after acquired Believing it 10 be q calamity and a
curse ana therefore to prerent the increase OF the ec
would a ly zee lar Of Congiess If possible IRE
pedi0Jie JOTJiddisg Slarery in all Territory hereafter
TO be acquired.
Thirdly: Would object TO my name being used
before the Buffalo Convention in connection with the
Vice Presidency? Certainly | should Fave objected,
srd for many reasoIs l have no aspiratio4s nor
claims to that hieh Office.
l am Whg, perhaps uls ol1-fashoued in my doc
trne and obstinate IN the support OF It, Holding she
political opinions that DO, must dtprecate ALIKE the
election Of Van BuIen Cas-. Ia my view, II would
be plain dshOJes to accept anomnation from party
ghose loremort and measures shou d be bound
20 oppose In my opinion, the
Nbas Of the North South AID West Will never cease
Iher Efforts get back the power which OF lac years
hts BE- assumed by socaed Democratic Presidents,
and the government OF the country to the two
houses OF Congress.
"TLels, Sir, are my views fairly and distinctly ex-
pressed They sent because ask for them,
and not became suppose any valGe can be attached
neither expects nor desIes to be other than private
citizen.
Youf e5eJieut servant