Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-04-21

The ST. Louis Neacs of the 18th inst, under
the head of :. Bates Stock Going Up-Re.mntas
c,onsereefismv gives an amended version OF
the opinion of Mr. BATES on the slavery
question. We copy it with the remark that
our contemporary appears TO know more
about the opinions of Mr.. BATES than that
gentleman knows himself:
Non-interierence is the doctrine that will
succeed. This is Mr.. Bates doctrine. 1t is
perversion of his views to represent him as
favorable to Slavery prohibiting, Free
Sell code" for the Territories. Mr.. Bates
holds that Territory retains alter lis acqui-
siiion the status it had in regard to slavery
before its acquisition. Ii Free Territory is
acquired, it remains Free, until Congress or
the People, when forming State, make it ID
Slave Territory. But Mr.. Bates would not
have Congress intervene or 'interftrc" to
establish II slaveholding community in Ter
ritory acquired as Free.
On the other hand, if Slave Territory should
be acquired by this Government. Cuba for
ins,ance), Mr.. Bates would not he in favor of
Congressional interference to emancipate the
slaves OF Cuba, or TO establish Free Soil
Code" for Cuba, or in any other way to pro-
hibit the inhabitants of Cuba. if desiring and
deemed fit to become n competent part of
thS hHiCiiC du CuIOIi, lIOul loTmlng Ofate
Constitution, if they please in which the ex-
isting institution of slavery shall be recog-
nized and maintained. This is the true idea
of non-intervention. Territories shall re-
main as they ale acqnired-Free or Slave
until the people themselves IN forming a
State Constitution adopt a change,
1t never was the design OF this Federal
Government 10 form domestic Institutions for
the People. Its design was, and is solely, 10
furnish National Union or Federalism, of
already formed, fully developed, organic d
and established, independent States or com
munltles OF People, who managed before,
and were still TO manage, their domestic in
sIitutions in their own way.
Ii the Federal Government is to throw its
shield OF protection over Slavery going into
Free Territory, it becomes simply MACHINE
Of SLAVERY propggGndism. All The territory.
even that which was free before, becomes
Slave Territory. And where Slavery is re-
cognlzt d aud protected, there any discussion
against 1t is attended with such opprobrium
or personal danger as 10 be practically sup
pressed. This is wrong upon very large
majority of the citizens of the American
Uulon, and will never be tolerated
But ii slaveholding Territory dixie Cuba)
be acquired, the Federal Government has
just as little right to turn Abolilionist, and
deprive Shareholders OF their patrimony. We
nave right TO receive or reject Cuba, If ap-
plying tor admission into the Union as
slaveholding State; but no right to alt r
or amend lie domestic institutions of the
people who are the proprietors of her soil.
Mr.. Bates Is not opposed TO admitting other
States into the Union if their Constitution
shall prohibit slavery. He is not ia favor of
Congress legislating slavery out of slave
holding Territories if such be acquired: or of
the Constitution. or Supreme Court, or Con
gress interpreting ii 10 be IN Free Territories
wherever such ere obtained by the Fed raj
Government. The Federal Government (nur
any department of it) should not Introduce
or protect slavery in Free Territories nor
.'legi-late untriendly" or cxpel it from slave
holding Territories. This is genuine mOn-in-
tervcution. All other is bogus. Mr.. Bates
holds this view Of the matter. So did Mr..
Clay.