Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-03-24

Government said to have been discovered
on the materials.
Position of Hon. Edward Bafes on
the Political Questions of the day.
The Hon. EDWARD BATES in response to in
terrogatories propounded to him, by delegates
to the Chicago Convention appointed by the
Missouri Republican State Convention. which
met at st. Louis on the 10th inst, and re.
commended him for the Presidency, frankly
states bis views upon the political questions
of the day. His letter is dated St. Louis
March IL, 1860. We append bis response to
the interrogatories
1a-SLdrey-H It's E1fension an the Territories
On this subject, in the States aud in the
Territories, | have no new opinions-no opin-
ions formed in relation to The present array
of parties. | am coeval with the Missouri
question of 1919 20, having began my polit-
cal life in the midst OF that struggle.
At that time my position required me to
seek all the means OF knowledge within nv
reach. and to study the principles involved
with all my mind, and l arrived at concIu-
sions than which no subsequent events have
induced me 10 change. The existence of ne
gro slavery in our country had its beginnin 2
in the early time of the colonies, aud was
imposed by the mother country. against the
will OF most of The colonisis. At the time of
the Revolution, and long after it was COM
monty regarded as an evil, temporary in its
nature, and likely to disappear in the course
of lime; yet while it continued, misfortune
to the country. socially and politically.
Thus was taught by those who made our
Government, and neither the new light of
modern civilization nor the discovery of a
new system of constitutional law and social
philosophy has enabled me to detect the error
OF their teaching.
Slavery Is social relation, a domestic in
stitutiOn. Within the States it exists by the
local law, and the Federal Government has
no control over it there. The Territories.
whether acquired by conquest or peaceable
purchase, are subject and subordinate, not
sovereign. like the States. The nation is
supreme over them, and the National Gov
eminent has the power TO permit or forbid
slavery within them. Enter tanning these
views. | am opposed 10 the extension of sla-
very. aud in my opinion The spirit and poll
cy of the Government ought to be against
its extension.
2d-DOes the Constitution carry Slavery into he
TerrttoTies2
/ answer mol Tue Constitution of the
United States does not carry slavery into the
Territories. With much more show of reason
may it be said that it carries slavery into all
the States. But it does not carry slavery
anywhere. IL only acts upon it where il finds
il established by the local law. 10 connec-
uon with this point, / am asked to state my
views OF the bred Scott case and what was
really determined by the Supreme Court,
in that case. 1t is my opinion, carefully con-
sidered, that the court determined one single
point OF law only. That is, that Scott, tue
plaintiff, being a negro, of African descent.
mot necessarily u slavel, could not be citi-
zen of Missouri and therefore could not sue
in the Federal Court, aud thi for this reason
aud This alone. the circuit court had no juris-
diction of the cause and no power To give
Judgment between the parties. The only
jurisdiction which the Supreme Court had OF
the cause was lur the purpose of correcting
the error of the circuit court IN assuming the
the power To decide upon the merits of the
case. This power the Supreme Court did cx-
ercIse by setting aside the Judgment OF the
circuit court upon the merits. aud by dsms-
sing the suit without any judgment for or
againt either party. This is Ii that the Sn-
preme Court did. and all that il had lawful
power to do. consider it a great public
misfortune that several of tle learned judges
should have thought that their duty required
them to discuss aud give opinions upon vari-
Gus questions outside of the case as the case
was actually disposed of by the court. All
such opinions are extra judicial and of no
authority. But, besides tbs it appears TO
me that several of the questions so discussed
by the Judges are political questions, and
therefore beyond tue cognizance OF The ia
dietary, and proper only To be considered
and disposed of by the political departments.
III | AIN right in this and il seems to me
plain, the precedent Is most unfortunate, be-
cause il may lead To dangerous conflict OF
authority among The cUSrdinate branches OF
the Government
3d-As 10 the Colonization Of The Free Blacks.
For many years have been connected with
the American Colonization Society. of which
the rising young State of Liberia is the first
iruit. consider the object both humane and
wise. beneficent alike 10 The free blacks who
emigrate, and TO the whitcs whom they leave
behind. But Africa is distant. and presents
so many obstacles TO rapid settlement that
we cannot indulge The hope OF drawing off ia
Tree black population. The tropical regions
OF America, think, offer far better pros-
pect both for and Tor them.
a. As to ony Laeq,aailty Of IatgAts esong -4rser-
tcfH Cfi-eh.
recognize no Distinctions among Ameri-
can citiz ms but such as are expressly laid
down In the Constitution. And l hold that
our Government j. bound To protect all the
citizens Ia the enjoyment at all th.ir rights
everywhere, and against all assailanis; and
a. ~ all these rights here j. no diff reues be-
tween citizens born aud citizens made such
by law.
5Lk-.Aps n f4rsr Of The construction Of a rail-
road from ne Faliey q tas HissizsiFPi 70 he
Paoise tessH, Uisder ne assFiess q n.e GeHzai
Government
Yes strongly. do not only believe such
q road To De OF vast Importance a. the means
OF Increasing the population. wealth, and
power OF this great valley, bot necessary as
the means ~ national drfeucr and of preserV-
ing The integrity of the Union.
sA-Azs i i,s .fguor 81 as Hsaavs called he
HrssS<es9 b.
Yes am for guarding the public lands
As well a. possible iron the danger Of becafn-
ing The subject If common trade aud specn-
l,lion; Tor keeping them Tor the actual a,e
oi the people. aud Tor granting tracts Of suis-
able sizr TO these who Nill actually inhsbit
aud improve Ih.m~
Ilh-AsssI IN IEuor II a. hsssaRssss ida.i.ss. n
ef Kalsas HAdeT he byan9s<ls Cbas4hasoa
1 think that kansas o.ghl 20 be admitted
without delay. leaving her. like all the other
States. the sole judge OF her own consiilu-
lou.
Thus, genlie.-en helieyeI have arswrresl
N your inquiries in plain, Ineligible man.
ser, aad hops to your Subtraction | have
ios attempted 80 support my anss ers By ar
Tor that eoeia nos * done Ia = short |
etfer. aud. restEaiaig mysetf from going
no genrsaI polite. have coaanea my r.
mark. 10 las particular sa1jsetz apos which |
foa reqas a. d me - Wflts.
Your Obliged fLiIaW~eitizen.
81 49, EDWARD RATES