The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-12
INTERESTING LETTER FROM HON. JOHN
BELL.

NASHVILLE, Dec. o, 1850.
DEAR SR-Could have fattered myself that any argu-
mcnt could address TO the mass meeting appointed for
the 10Th ult at Vcksburg, would contribute IN any i'm
porant degree 10 aid you and your oomparots in stay
ing progress which threatens pre-
cpitate your state into political vortex, which in my
judgment would be no less fatal N her own interests
than ruinous To those of her neghbsrs would, at
personal sacrifice, have obeyed the simmons OF my
friends but feeling such confidence my ability 70
them you ascribe 70 me in your letter, have
yielded to the force of circumstances which claimed my
attention al home.
50 FAR as my views and opinions may have any weight
influence In determining the course Of any portion Of
the people OF Mississippi in the present critical iuncture
they may be stated on paper and suppose would be a.
elective for the purpose intended they would be III
communicated in speech
The question Of chief Importance to be considered and
answered Isl whether the election OF Mr. Lincoln TO the
Presidency considered in all is sgaicincy and bearings
together with all precedent and existing grievances,
would justify Mississippi or any other state or states, IN
Withdrawing from the Unions In form tho election was
in strict accordance with the regulations prescribed by
the constitution and Laws The objection to Il " that II
effected by purely sectional party organized upon
the principle u hostility 70 slavery and having for US
prime object the repression OF slavery permanent ad
minstrative policy, with view to is ultimate extnc
tou- II be dovbf>d that ad~swssv afs0N of tie
oovrwewt based upon tAu policy could far
sfeonoly - tvs~g~s ebssi the erncson Of sio-cy IN
0e SsA AroseA gcssi t"aascs and patronage, As" ov
But Is clear that the federal government was estab
shed for no such purpose or object Tor however strong
~ many OF the trainers Of the constitution were opposed
10 slavery II notorios that II owing TO their for
bearance insist upon their objections 10 the clause IN
slaves their owners that have any federal Union
II was upon this question that the Convention was at one
time upon the point Of breaking MP In confusion The
policy Of making the government an fundamentally Tor
the repression extinction of slavery row attempt
cd by the party which y soon to be In power was never
contemplated by the trainers of the constitution
have often expressed the opinion that tae scss OF
purely secnno party opossze1 upsn anv pr'w0ps s1s
nen ~ policy strony an,sSo.s the sns.yen a~d se
es~rs Or IA opposs~o and dnai1d secm could de.p,y
sms<vii n. Unon; did believe, until the result OF
the october elections became known that majority Of
90 far
counses aud warnings OF Washington 10 elect the can
didate Of such party 70 the Presidency The election
OF Mr. Lincoln. by sectional party, organized and sus
tanned upon the distinctive principle = oppostsh v
slavery exists In the southern states and ayowing
the policy Of its repression and final extinction (by pro
hbitng IL extension INTO the Tcrritories), was bold
experiment upon the temper and forbearance of the
south and upon the strength Of their loyalty TO the
Union This experiment, II not conceived IN spirit OF
disunon was made with reckless disregard Of conse
.qucnces. No greater strain upon the hgamens which
bind the two great sections OF the country og ther could
be devised than the attempt establish inaagurate
permanent government policy upon such principles me
late Harrison Gray Otis Of Boston ono Of The r~t as
tingushed and able Of New England statesmen, when
called upon in 1895, to give the weight ~ HIS name and
influence checking the further progress Of rabid sbo-
tlon spirit then beginning To diuse itself over Massa-
tusets and other states of the Fast and North. IN
speech delivered In Faneui Hail did not hesitate 20 cx
press the opinion tina, the plans and designs 81 the aoo
ton aocictes or AZ they then called aniisavery
ons contemplated such interference with tho
domestic policy and Institutions OF the south a. would DC
violation both of the spirit and letter " the constitution
and were in fact revolutionary IN Their character ana
tendency.
am no, able to Discriminate between the character
spirit and tendency of the anayery principle an the
slavery repression policy of the republican PARTY consi.
dered IN connection with the torrent u inhammitory
publications and nvectves against the domestic nsttu
tions and social relations OF the SOUTH which " day
poured forth by republican Journals and orators and te
character, tendency and designs Of the abolition sncie
ties, and the incendary publications whih hnd their
way 70 the public under their auspices Thc ony essen
ta difference can perceive between the spirit AMI ten
dency ~ the doctrines and avowed policy of the rcpuh
can party and those Of the doctrines anl avowei policy
of the abolition societies l. IN the extent and degree VI
the nfechcfs which may be inflicted upon the Sath by
one or the other and the deliberate ntention to inhic
them by tie abolition societies. which u would 10 nnfar
md unjust mpue the whole body of tho republican
party Bat both obnoxious 10 the charge Of pursu
mg policy which Is in violation Of the spirit n no, Of
the letter Of the constitution, and revolutionary
IN lie tendency. The policy ~ both tends strong
IL 10 stir up internal strife In the Southern States
20 excite discussions and Instructions among
The slaves to produce alarm and n insecurity
both as " life and property among the white ppnlator
"A every Southern state and finally - influence the whole
u,h 10 revolt against tn government. The degree an,
extent II the mischief which the republican party may
be able 10 inict BY s antsavery policy, Tor reasons
which need not state II will be readily acknowledged
will be tcnfod greater han any which the abolition sci
etics have II in their power 70 innict =,
That 20 not unjusty chang INC republican pN'y WIN