The register. (Monroe, La.) 185?-1861, 1860-08-30
From the Kentucky Yeoman,
John BelEs Slavery Record,

From the Kentucky Yeoman.
John Bell's Slavery Record.
We, have heretofore given Mr.. Everetts rec
ord upon the slavery question, and we now
give part of Mr.. Bells which will be found
not SO good. In the vote in the Senate upon
tbs bill to suppress the slave trade in the Dis
trict of Columbia, in 1850. Mr. Bell voted in
the negative, but in the discussion of the bill
he placed himself upon the record SO as to leave
no doubt whatever as to bis sentiments not only
upon the suppression Of the slave trade, but the
abolition Of slavery in the District Of Columbia.
In the discussion of the bill to suppress the
slave trade in the District of Columbia Zone of
the compromise measures) on the 14th of Sep
TENDER, 1850, Mr.. Bell said [See Appendix to
the Congressional Globe, vol. 20, page 1861
"With regard to the constitutional power of
Congress over this subject, would say that
the only doubt have of the existence of the
power either to suppress the slave trade or
to abolish slavery in the District, is inspired by
the respect have forthe opinions of so many
distinguished and eminent men, both in and
out ofCongress, who hold that Congress has no
such power Reading the Constitution for my
SELF believe that Congress has all the power
over the subject in this District which the
States have within their respective jurisdiction.
But, however great my res
pect may be for the opinions OF others on the
question ofpowcr, there are some considerations of
such high account as in myjudgment to make dcsi-
rable that, unless By common consent the project of
abolition shall be ,cholly girea up and abandoned,
THE REMNANT OF SLAVERY EXISTING IN THE DIS
N
present moment, however, the excited state of
public sentiment in the SOUTH growing out of
| territorial questions, may seem to forbid such
a course. For myself if the sentiment of the
| adjacent States and of the South generally
were less inflamed, WOULD PREFER THAT
COURSE TO KEEPING IT AN OPEN QUESTION:
"Slavery in the District Of Columbia is now
the only remaining ground Of contention-thc
only remaining OF objection and assault on the
part Of the anti-slavery North. I do not in
clude the fanatics:
THEY sciN be satisfied Nth nothing short of the e.
tnction Of Slavery in the States but all others at
the North disclaim any intention, or design. or
any constitutional power to interfere with sla-
very anywhere but in the District of Columbia,
"Iwouad glad to see all causeef disturbance and
contention in tie District soholy removed; but let
me say that this can never be done by, the
abolition Of slavery, unless it be accompanied
the effective control of the slaves after thew
shall be emancpated. With this qualification,
and in order to test the determination of the
North in regard to any further and continued
aggression upon southern feelings and the secu-
rity OF Southern property, WOULD BE con-
TENT TO SEE SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT ABo,IsH-
ED TO DAY: In one aspect Of the subject, am
not sure that it would be A GREAT coNsERyA-
TIVE MEASURE, both as regards the Union and
interest Of the South" " ''|'N
The District once relieved of all sources of
disscnsion, we would be speedily enl;obt-
cned upon the question whether the North
wouid .gop there, or raise new or more
then wo,id tI,s M,olo al agt.a.on snonld cease,
ti6ns and interests, experienced the hess;ncs of
1epose from this distracting controversy or
Oh tne other hand, shouSa ne North manifest de-
o;n The ,ncer";nt" nh s Jy w., ~ aaeug oyer
tunes Of the South arU he d;seJ cn os H. ." s, y
you'd hen have Tie option Of deciding their o,on desti-
ny tbn; w.et aey lney could either make
coming grace to whatever le a' Nor 4ha m, 9e
cree, or to take step. for successful resistance.
:. Ill ST. f. IL were proposed now to eradicate
nroviie nrnncr socnr;t;os " f ~ .ne same time
nfnoci; 70 cnntro, ~ d. IT, ~. wv ielnovai OF
AN xor pnrp.prn sn NO i So oorureu popuStien,
wou1nHrsIsT ru n sMr ,s y 1A THAT THE SOUTH
mWith rara,l to th" ,'nor,.;.;o
the slave trade in Tho nv 10 suppress
ted Iu,p NAM. ,,p NJ, ,,I"n NJ. a,ieauy sta
M DONE nv srvrna, nnor ,naf ~ ~, o. t TO
5nnI ~ ~ ~ y, Nomm .hs the SAGE node an Incl
savcsi the most o0ensne f1,sc NJ thn ;nst;, ~
ton. II is SO regarded in the South as we'll as
~ me North bM SIR ''ere ! member Of
~ a ~ . ,. ,". c ~ @ SAeula mol hesitate
,,o; s w ~ n,s eS1esn aese sce de
p s,ps.,,s az rsss, a. Msy gre eal1ea "hn The
"e."''' ~ Ne eor'o'al'oH.