Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-08-25

DO justice humanity. and sound policy, alke re-
quire that the slaves Of this country should be eman
cipated7
Is it the right and duty Of the citizens of the non
sIavehodng States 70 require of the general govern
ment the abolition Of Slavery in the District OF 20
lumba?
Is it lust or safe with regard to our foreign rela
tons and domestic compact to admit Texas into the
Uniong
Mr.. EvERETr's REPLY.
BosroS, 3lst October, 1887.
SR: have duly received your communication of
the 18th inst in which you desire to be furnished
with my views on certain questions therein pro,
pounded Under other circumstances, should
deem it proper to preface my answer with some pre-
iiminary remarks, but my engagements at the pres
ent time compel me TO reply as coneisely as posi-
BILE.
slavery being by universal admission, social poll
teal and moral evil of the first magnitude it is re-
ouired by Justice, humanity, and sound policy that
the slaves should be emaneipated by those having
conslutionally the power 20 effect that object as
soon as il can be done peacefully, and in a manner
to better the condition of the emaneIpated. be-
lieve the most considerable portion Of the people Of
the United States every quarter unite in this SEN
timent and you are aware that the most eminent
Southern names can be cited in Its support
In reply to the second question, would remark,
that ali the considerations in favor of emancipation
in the States apply with equal force to the District
of Columbia. Ny opinions this subject are fully
expressed in the resolution adopted by the legisa-
ture last winter, with near approach to unanlmi-
/ ty in the following terms; Resolved, That Con-
gress having exclusive legislation in the District Of
Columbia possesses the right to abolish slavery IN
the said District, and that its exercise should only be
restrained by regard 10 the public good"
know that the slave trade is carried on to a
shocking extent in the District of Columbia. There
Is no part of the South where it is reputable to be
engaged in this traffic and no Southern State. l am
persuaded, would permit its existence in Its own
| capital, as it exists at the National Capital The
South and the North ought unite in prohibiting it,
by act of Congress-which is the local legislature of
the District This has been loudly called for from
the District ITSELF / have before copy of pc
tton couched 10 very strong language against both
slavery and the slave trade IN the District of Column
bia which was presented to Congress in 1924 sign
ed by nearly seven hundred and fifty of cIti-
zens of Washington, several of whom were known
to me to be of the first consideration. may observe
in this connection, that at the same session, voted
in the negative motion to lay upon the table the
petition Of the American Anslavery Society for the
abolition of slavery in the District Of Columbia, and
on two other motions, intended, in like manner, to
deprive this class Of petitions of respectful recep-
ton and consideration.
The last question propounded by you refers to the
annexation of Texas 1t presents the subject of sa-
very, in most of its bearings. in new light In the
States its introduction the result Of legislation
forced upon the colonies and in many cases, III despite
of acts passed by their legislators for the prohlbl-
ZION OF slaNG lTduG anu uldteu W
Its existence is recognized by the Constitution of the
United States. The rights of property growing out
of it in degree protected by law in the nom
slavehOdng States (see the opinion OF Chief Justice
Shaw in the case of the Commonwealth U.s. AYES
an opinion in the doctrines and principles OF which
fully concur) and morality and religion trown on
all attempts to put end to 1t by violence and
bOOdshed. But of these principles counte
nance a voluntary extension Of slavery; and
as the question of anneXing Texas Is one OF vOun-
I farv nd handles
subject, as have said in new light. 1t has been
officially stated by the Texan Envoy that the region
so called contains two hundred thousand square
miles. In other words, it might form twenty-five
States as large as Massachusetts, In this vast re-
gion slavery was prohibited by Mexico; it has been
restored and is rapidly spreading itself under the
new government; and no one denies, that If the in
dependence of Texas is sustained, slavery will be
indefinitely extended throughout its ample borders.
The Executive Government OF the United States
has promptly recognized this independence, and
| by so doing has discharged the whole duty that
could be required by the law of nations. Whatever
step we take toward annexation is gratutous. This
| whole subject has been so ably discussed by DIR.
Charming. in his recent letter TO Mr.. Clay, that it
| would be superiuOus enlarge upon it. l will
only say, that if at this moment, when an all i'm
portant experiment is in train 10 abolish slavery
by peaceful and legal means IN the West Indies.
abe United States instead of Initiating their ex-
ample, or even awaiting their result, should rush
into policy of giving an indefinite extension to
| slavery over vast region Incorporated into the
Union we should stand condemned before civilized
world 1t would be in vain to expect to gain credit
for any further professions of a willingness to be
! rid OF slavery as soon as possible. No extenua-
ten Gifts existence, the ground Of its having been
| forced upon the country in its colonial state,
would any longer avail US 1t would be thought,
and thought justly that lust of power and lust OF gold
| had made us deaf to the voice of humanity and
| justice We should be self convicted of the enOr-
nous crime OF having voluntarily given the great
est possible enlargement to evil, which. in con-
! cert with the rest of mankind we had affected to
deploTe, and that at time when the public senti-
ment of the civilized world, more than at any
,fOrmer period is aroused to its magnitude.
There are other objections to the measure drawn
from its bearing on our foreign relations; but 1t
| is unnecessary to discuss them.
l am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
EDWARD EVERETT
Hon. WILLIAM Jackson
In 1889, the following interrOgatories were pro-
pounded to Mr.. EVERETT, by the Hon. NATHANIEL
A. BORDEN, of Massachusetts:
! l. Are you in favor of immediate abolition by
law, of slavery in the District of Columbia and Of
| tn slave traffic between the States of the Union!
! 2 Are you opposed to the admission into the IN
ion of any State, the constitution of which toll
eI ates domestic slavery?
The following is his reply:
WASHINGTON, Oct "a, 1889.
DEAR SIR:-On Saturday last, only, received your
letter of the the 18th, prOpouuding to me certain
heterogeneous, and earnestly requesting an early
! answer.
You are aware that several resolves on the sub
ject of these inquiries and their kindred topics,
companed by very able report, was introduced
into the Senate of the Commonwealth, year before
| last by Jaint committees of the two Houses of
! which the lat lamented AlVord was chairman.
| Those resolves, after having been somewhat en-
larged by amendment, adopted by the Legisla-
| ture. They appear to cover the whole ground of
! your two heterogeneous Having cheefully Co
operated in the passage of the resolves, and concur
| ring in the general reasoning by which they are
sustained in the powerful report Of the chairman
| of the committee, respond to both your inquiries
| in the Affirmative.
The first of the three subjects embraced in your
! inquiry is the only one of them which came before
| Congress while was a member. ! voted IN the
negative to lay upon the table the petition of the
American Anti Slavery Society for the abolition of
| slavery in The District of Columbia, and other
motions of like character introduced to cast off the
| consideration of this class of petitions.
| am, dear sir, very respectfully. Your friend
and servant, EDWAED EVERETT
! Hon. Nathaniel \. Borden.
Those resolves referred to were a set resolu-
tons adopted by the Massachusetts, Legislature
during the year previous, when Mr.. EVERETT
/ Governor of the State, and are as follows:
ReSOlUed, That Congress has by the Constitution
power to abolish slavery and the slave trade in the
District of Columbia and that there is nothing in
the terms circumstances of the acts of cessiOn by
Virginia and Maryland, otherwise, enforcing any
legal or moral restraint on its exercise.
ResOlUed, That Congress ought 10 take measures
to effect the abolition Of slavery in the District of
| Columbia.
! RESOLVED, That the rights of humanity the claims
| of justice and the common good alike demand the
suppression by Congress of the slave trade carried
| en- in and through the District of Columbia
Resolved. That Congress has by the Constitution
power to abolish slavery in the Territories of the
| United States.
ReSolUed That new State shall hereafter be adj
mitted into the Union whose Constitution and Gov
eminent shall permit the existence of domestic
slavery.
ReSOlUed, That Congress has by the Constitution,
power to abolish the traffic IN slaves between the
| different States Of the Union.
Resolved, That the exercise of this power is
demanded by the principles Of humanity and
justice.
These documents speak for themselves. and they
settle the question of Mr.. EvERETr's free-soilism
doth the leopard change his spots or the Ethopi-
an his COLOR If yea, then we expect EDWARD Ev-
TO change the current of his thoughts and re-
nounce in age the cherished principles of his early
youth and mature manhood