The Yazoo Democrat. [volume] (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1858-18??, 1860-08-04
MR.. BELLS RECORD.

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MR.. BELLS RECORD.
The self-styled Union and Constitution
Convention that nominated Bell and Everett
refused to declare any set of principles upoI
which they would administer the Government, if
unfortunately for the country, they should ge
into power. They ignored all questions that are
now agitated before the people, and upon which
parties are divided, and we are thus left to the
political record of their candidates to ascertain
the principles of the party. But even by this
mode it is difficult to arrive at satisfactory con-
clusion, for Mr. Eyerett's record proves, beyond
cavil or doIbt, that he occupies precisely the
same position OIL slavery question that the Black
Republicans do. While Mr.. Bell does not go
quite so far, yet, he ehtertaiAs soIre principles
in common with that reasonable party But
some may be ready to dispute this assertion.
Now for the proof. Let us turn to his record.
We will here introduce it as compiled and COM
mented upon by the Woodvlle Republican, with
this additional remark that we have carefully
compared the extracts with the speeches as re.
ported in the Congressional Globe, and found
them perfectly correct.
On the l4th of September, 1850, the bill for the
abolition of the slave trade in the District of
Columbia, was und der discussion in the Senate of
the United States. On this question Mr.. Bell
labored side by side with the abotionists; in
the course of his speech on the subject, he said
1--WE quote from the Appendix to the Congress
siona Globe, vol. 2gd, part Cd, page fGBS)
with regard to the Constitutional power of
Congress over this subject, slavery would
say that the only doubt have of tie existence
of the power either to suppress the slave trade or
to abolish slavery in this District, is inspired by
the respect have for the opinions of so many
distinguished and eminent men both in and out of
Congress, who hold that Congress has no such
power. Reading the Constitution for myself The
evs that Congress has all the poDer Ove- tie subject
IN the District Which the States hare uithin their
rsspectite Jurisdictions"
Here Mr.. John Bell declares emphatically, in
FERNS Enthusiastically plain, thas in his opinion
Congress has right to abolish slavery in the
District of Columbia hs stands mp in the Sem
ate of the United States, Senator from SoatH-
ern State, representing a slaveh1ldirg cCnstitt-
eucy, and, as INCREASINGLY as could Seward or
Chase. maintains that Congress has the constitf-
tional power in The District of Columbia TO de-
stroy the property of the master in his slaves
that Congress may pass an act by Which, when
the representatives Of the South repair to the
National Capital to perform their duty, they
may be deprived of their servants and Invested
of their property in them.
Bat Mr.: Bell did not conteHt Hir7self with
affirming the power Of Congress TO abolish slafery
in the District Of Columbia be went still fur
Their, and declared that Congress oaght to do it
without. delay. In the same sftetE from which
we have just quoted, he said
"There are some considerations Of such high
account as in my judgment to make it desirable
that unless by common consent the project of
abolition shall be wholly given up and abandon
ed, The remnant existing IN the District should be
abolished at once; at the present moment how
ever, the excited state of public sentiment in The
South, growing out Of territorial questions, seems
TO forbid such q course"
Again, he said:
If, sir, it were proposed now 70 eradicate
slavery from tie District, and at the same time
provide proper securities for the removal or effec
tive control of the free colored population, l am
not prepared to say that the South ought to resist
The measure"
Here is certainly evidence enough 10 convince
my mind not warped and prejudiced by party
feeling, that John Bell is unsound on the question
of slavery. There was lit the time no occasion
'or him to express the above views-there was
10 bill before Congress to abolish slavery in the
District of Columbia. The bill was for the sup
preston of tie slave trade therein, and Mr.. Bell |
travelled out of the line of argument to express
himself in favor of the abolition of slavery there
Returning to the question before the Senate,
he suppression of the slave trade in the District
# Columbia, Mr.. Bell said.
WM rtgard 10 he proposition TO abolish The
Lave trade in tie District, as hare alsrays stated
had made up my mind that Il Oaght to be done on
eUeral grounds"
Now, the slave trade to be suppressed by the
ill, and referred to by Mr.. Bell, was tho same
omestiC slave trade that is carried on between
nd through the slave States at fhis time, and
'hichis necessary to the presefvation Of the in
titution and to brand it as wrong and cruel BY
bolishins it in the District Of Columbia, was to
ronOunce the whole system of slavery as wrong
nd cruel yet Mr.. Bell declared himself in favor
the suppression of this trade.
We have not the space to carry this article to
greater length, though we have not yet got
through with even one of Mr.. Bells abolition
peeches next week we shall continue the sub
To dory 1. ,rlr L.. L.. a
ut sufficient evidence to show that we did not
IrOng Mr. Bell in charging him with unsoundness
n the vital question Of the day.
Take care of the Constitution, and the Uhiod-
ill take care of itself-CAIHoUN.