The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1860-07-11
Edward Everett's Anti.slavery Record


Edward Eyerett's Anti-slavery Record
The Oppositionists in their platform, embo
died a mere string Of generalities upon which
men oi every hue OF opinion can stand. Ii
means anything, or nothing, precisely as it
devotees individually may prefer. Ii its fra.
mers deSre it to be interpreted by the records
OF their candidates, the key to its meaning
can he readily furnished. --sss 81 +
i We unhestatiugly affirm that on every
important sectional issue which has engaged
the attention of Congress for years past, John
Bell, their candidate for the Presidency has
voted side by side with the enemies of the
South. Has record, We illenbrace an carly
occasion 10 yentillate. 2r e.-,
+ DAtlxlat Of tteir sleak and oily candidate
for the Vice Presidency? The facts publish
cd below show that in 1889 he was the open
and ayowed champion of the following anti
slavery schemes against the South:
1st. II e abolition Ct slavery and the slave
trade in the District of Columbia. 'e
End. The abolition Of slavery in the Ter
ritores. .- .-rs.E II {. 4
Bird. The exc,u sion Of new States applying
for admission into the Union whose constitu-
tons recognize slavery. l- --
4th. The abolition of the slave trade be-
tween the States:
Our readers will concur with US in tie
view that these documents affix upon Everett
the charge Of abolitionism in its most viruent
and undiSguiscd form. Nor have we any
reason to believe that he is repentant and
rccantng freesoiler lie has had but little active
agency in pubic affairs, during the past few
years, but it will be remember d that he was
one Of those who ''shrieked" loudest when
Abolition blackguard in the Senate from Mas
sachusetts, to task for vltuperating and SANDER
ing The people and the institutions ofthe South
a majority Of the Oppositionists in Geor-
gia [where these facts were first brought to
lighO as well as in Mississppiare pledged to the
overthrow Of the Federal Government in the
event it perpetIates the very acts, which
Everett says it has authority to commit and
! which it ought to commit. With what con-
sistency, therefore, can they give him their
support for the second office within the gift Of
the American people? 4? ia si.l 20 Aa
But to the record: s.lH5- s4-
In the year 1871, VIM. Henry HARRISON be.
ing President appointed Edward Everett
Minister to England. Hon. John Nc Pherson
Berrien, then being Senator for, the State Of
Georgia, gave his s,nction to the appointment.
During the saue year, the Georgia Lesisla-
| ture was assembled. The following Jeint
| Committee pn the State of the Republic was,
constituted. On the part of the, Senate :
Messrs Edward j.. Black, Of Scriyen =. An
drew j.. Miller. OF Richmopd ~. M. Smith.
of Camden; Bennitt Crawford, of Decater;
.dlex. McBougL, OF Museegee Peter Cone,
Of Bulloch James Render, Of Merriwether.-
On the part OF the House: Aessrs- John H.
Howard, Of Muscogee w. 3. Tankersley, Of
Columbia II. Grieyc, of Baldwin; Abner B. !.
Powers, of Bib; R. L. Simms, of Newton;
James Gray. ..al Jones no RolInsons q
Jaspsr. This Committee in Their report, re-
cite in the preamble, with what sincere regret
they reviewed the sanction Of Judge Berrien !
ito the elevation Of one so obnonious to our
feelings, and so hostile TO our interests, and
particularly Of an individual who has vowed
his abolition principles in their most imposing
form, and amPlest extent ,~,
Resolution 1lth, which refers to the same
matter, is as follows: -. :.
IL Reso'osl. That the opinions publicly
proclaimed by Edward Everett, now Minister
to England, of the power and the obligation Of
Congress to abolish slavery in tie District OF
Columbia to interdiet the slave trade between
the States, and TO refuse the admission OF any
Territory teleratinS slavery, are unconstitu-
tunal in their character, subyersive OF the
rights eftle Ssuth and if carried out, will de-
stray this Mon and that the Hon. John
Mcpherson Berrien, in sustaining for an i'm
portant appointment an Individual holding
such obnoxious sentiments has omitted a
proper occasion to give an efficient check to
such sentiments, and SO doing has not truly
represented the opinions or wishes Of the peo-
pie OF Georgia, of either political party.
This resolution was adopted in tile Senate
by vote Of 49 to o, number of Senators
refusing TO vote, but not enough to defeat its
passage If they had voted against it. In the
fiouse, the entire report was adopted by n
vote of 1O1 yeas to II nays.a sa c-st; dtgas
The proof of the charges made against Mr..
Everett in that resolution, is contained in the
following:
In 1899 the following interrogatories were
propounded to Mr.. Everett by the Hon Nath-
aniel Borden, of Massachusetts, ~ss5 7=
l. Are you in favor of immediate abolition,
r IL n r q.
and Of the slave traffic between the States of
this Union? s39
. 2 Are you opposed to the admission into
the Union of any new States, the constitution
of which tolerate domestic slavery.
The following is his reply '' a--.f sf9"
" WASHINGTON, Oct "a, 1889.
DEAR SIR: On Saturday IastI only -reeef- |
we'd your letter Of the 18th, propounding to me
certain inierrogatories, and earnestly requesT-
ting an early answer
You are aware that several resolves on the
sul ject of these enquirers and their kindred
hop3s, accompanied by a very able report now
introduced into the Senate of the Common
wealth, year before last, by joint committee
of the two Houses, OF which the lamented Mr..
Isiyord was Chairman:
hose resolves, after having been somewhat
enlarged by amendment, were adopted by the
Legislature They appear to cover the. whole
ground Of your two interrogatories. Having
cheerfully CO operated in the passage Of the
| resolves and concurring in the general reason :
| ing by which they are sustained in the pow
eriuI report Of the chairmln of the eopmittee,
/ respond to both your enquirers in the Al a.
| firnatve. f.
The first Of the three subjects embraced in
your enquiry is the only one of them W hich
| came before Congress- while Twas a member.
I.voted in the negative on the motion to, lay
upoa the table the petition of the American
Anti Slavery Society, for the oboltion Of slate
| ~ in the District Of Columbia, and on other
motions of the like character introduced
cast off the consideration of this class Of Peti-
tons. Il r.. f3e~..s,,,l Il ..es,,,.,.,s.
lam, dear sir, very respectfully,
Your friend and servant,
--.s479 ~ aEl3 EDWARD EyEEETT.
Hon. Nathaniel "A. Borden. : lIs<i.s
lrla 3{. -shs ------ 81 ,gsisgsf5a1 GO