Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-10-06

King Of Ala subsequently elected to the VicePresiden-
cv Gen. Cass Gen. Shields Mr. Dickinson, Mr.. Douglas
and other Democratic leaders. The question as 70 the
power of Congress abolish slavery in the Territories
has been determined by the Supreme Court So Also
has the question touching It's power to abolish the inter
State Slave Trade Mr. Everett belongs to that school
Of statesmen who submit to the decisions of the Supreme
Court. Mr. Fillmore, whose administration OF the gov
erement will ever be regarded one of the brightest
pages in our history at one time believed that Congress
had the power and favored the suppression OF the traffic
in slaves between the States abandoned bis position upon
the adverse decision of the supreme Judicial tribunal Mr.
Everett could do no less. This every citizen owes as
duty his country to the obligations imposed ny Tue
Constitution There are doubts in the minds of leading
men, both North and South, whether in the bred Scott
case the court really decided that Congress has no power
to abolish slavery in the Territories. II Mr. Everett lel'
these doubts-nay if he were sure that the court had
made no such decision he could not favor proposition
to abolish slavery any of the Territories, because the
exercise of such authority would be resisted by the
South, even 10 disruption Of the Union; and he de-
car,d in the Senate in 1874 that he would do almost
ANYTHING" TO preserve the Union; would even as he in-
timated acquiesce in carrying slavery into territory
where it did not previously exist The refusal to admit
State because its constitution permitted slavery Is an
other exercise Of uihory which the South would resist
and which Mr. Everett, could not favor holding the views
he expressed in 1854. But not compelled to trust
to his fears OF the disruption OF tie government lie
siheres to the compromise of 1850 and it commits him
TO the principle Of non-inervenlion of permitting the
people Of territory to determine the character of their
domestic institutions and guaranteeing them admission
-, ~ a State with
or without slavery as they may elect His adherence to
the compromise IS announced IN the following extrat
from his speech in the Senate the sh OF February,
1854 to be found in the appendix to the CongresSion
Globe. vol 29; page lO2;
"Itrust that nothing which have now said will be
aken IN derogaion OF the compromises OF 1880 adj
hare 10 them | stand by them. do so for many rea
soma One ia respect for the memory OF TIE great men
who were the authors Of them-lghts and ornaments oil
the country, but now taken from It's service. would
not so soou il h in my power, undo their works u
for no other reason But besides this am one OF those
Il am no, ashamed TO avow it-who believed at that
time and who still believe, that at that period the Uniou
Of these States in great dapgtr aud that the adop
ton Of the compromise measures oil lS3O contributed
materially 10 avert that Danger aud therefore, sir say
s well out of respect the memory OF the great men
b we're the authors OF them as 10 the healing effect OF
the measures themselves would adhere to them They
are not percc suppose that nobody either North or
South thinks them perfect. They contain some proN-
ors not satisfactory the South and other provisions
contrary to the public sentiment OF the North; but be-
.yed al the time they the wisest the best the
most effective which, under the circumstances
could be adopted
Had Mr. Everett adhered to the opinions he held in
1889 and had it been his purpose to act upon them he
would have avaed himself OF the opportunity offered
BY his position in the Senate That he did not do So is
proof that his mind had undergone radical change, aud
that the South has rO,hirg to apprehend from him.
To clucidlts the former positions and the changes
which have taken pace in the views Of Northern men,
we may here make an extract from a speech delivered
in the House Of Representatives in 1885, by Hon. Caleb
Cushing On the 9th OF June, the admission of Ar
kansas which he opposed account of provision in
her Constitution to!eratng slavery. He said:
"Tbis provision of the Constitution of Arkansas is
condemned by those whom represent on this occasion,
As anti Republican, wrong general principles OF
general polty and as unjust to the people OF the non
sayehoding States They object to 1t as being, in el-
feet provision to render slavery perpetual in the new
State Of Arkansas.
~ concur in reprobating such clause cannot,
by any vote OF NINE ratiiy sanction Constitution OF
Government which undertakes in this way TO ioreeose
in advance the progress OF civilization aud liberty for
ever
ave are engaged in the creation Of infant colonies
What We shall DO 10 act upon generations yet uE-
born 10 the end Of time There is appreciation Of the
consequences which lie 6nycoped, Ike the minute germ
Of the springug seed in the work Of this hour And at
such a time shall We with the accents OF liberty Icrpet-
ally on our lips shall We whose very institutions are es'
tlb.ished on hs Fundamental doctrine Of human right,
shll we the personalities Of the free people OF the
United States be bTushy dumb when 1t sought through
us TO reader slavery irr, d,cmably perpetual in new
State soliciting admission into the Union?
Il claim /; the right OF my constituents, II IS my own
right 20 withhold assent from this Objectionable clause
ia the Constitution Of Arkansas. If the question had
arisen at q uo,c propi,ious hour, il the committee were
not Predetermined 10 l5idgc debate by such
they have power to exert should have argued aiirma
lively Ire ,xpciency aud Injustice Of that clause upon
general prime piles o. reason Wholly nhsianiug TO en-
g. h, pertinent field Of remark, nave underworld IN
conaue rIys.toa brief and simple defence OF the amend
r,nt before U.s. an reply the observations Of the gen
ilcmlu iJcm Virginia
Pertinent 2o 10 the utj.ct the following inter
rogatotics aud response Of Hon n. Fitch at present
one Of the Democratic members Of the L. s. Senate from
Indiana:
PLYNoUTH, Aug. 4th, 1919.
Sir-As there are few who think You have not been
quite defai,e enough on some of the questions involved
In d., present canvass, wish you to the follow
ing quosuOus-tO wit:
l. VIII YOU II elected rois for the unconditional IL
pal Of 81 lyery in the District Of Columbia
. Win you vote for the abolition Of he inter State
slave trade,
g. win YOU vote for the Wilmo; Prov5o being extend
G H.-v q. ~ IL. Il