The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-07-26
A UniOn.Saver's Record.
Eanard Eperetts Tieacs on Slarery

Eauard Eperett's Tieacs on Slarery.
The following facts will doubtless excite
thrill of astonishment throughout the
country, and may possibly render it necessa-
ry to call another National Convention Of
the Union Savers
1t seems that in 1887 the following resol-
yes were adopted by the Massachusetts, Leg
islature:
Resolred, That Congress has, by the Con-
stitutlon, power to abolish slavery and the
slave trade in the district of Columbia, and
that there is nothing in the terms or circum-
stances of the acts Of cession by Virginia and
Maryland, or otherwise, enforcing any
legal or moral restraints on its exer-
else.
Resolred, That Congress ought to take
measures to effect the abolition of slavery in
the District of Columbia.
Resolred, That the rights of humanity,
the claims of fjustice and the common good
alike demand the suppression by Congress Of
the slave trade carried on in and through
the District.
Resolped, That Congress has by the Con-
stitution, power to abolish Slavery in the
Territories of the United States.
ResolUed, That no new State should here
after be admitted into the Union, whose con-
stitution of government shall permit the ex-
istence of domestic Slavery therein.
Resolred, That Congress has, by the
Constitution, power to abolish the traffic in
slaves between the different States of the
Union.
Resolced, That the exercise of this power
is demanded by the principles of humanity
and justice
In 1889 the Hon. Nathaniel Borden of
Massachusetts,, propounded to Mr.. Everett
the following interrogatories:
1st. Are you in favor of the immediate
abolition, by law, of slavery in the District
of Columbia, and of the slave traffic between
the States of the Union?
I'd. Are opposed to the admission into
the union of any new State, the Constitution
of which tolerates domestic slavery?
The following is Mr. Everett's reply:
WASHINGTON, D. c., OCT. 81, 1889
DEAR SIR: On Saturday last, only re-
ceived your letter of the 18th, propounding
to me certain interrogatories, aud earnestly
requesting an answer.
You are aware that several resolves on
the subject of these inquiries and their kin
dred topics, accompanied by very able re-
port, were introduced into the Senate Of the
Common wealth year before last by joint
committee of the house, of which the late la
mented Mr.. Alvord was Chairman. These
resolves, after having been somewhat enlar-
ged bv amendment, were adopted by the
Legislature. They appear to cover the
whole ground of your two interrogatories.-
Haping respectfully co-operated in the pas
sage Of the resolces, concurring IN the gener,-
ate report By sohieh they aoere sustained, and
in the powertm report Of the Chairman Of
the Committee, I Irespond to both cfyour IN
quiries in the q6irmatire. The first of the
subjects embraced in your inquiry is the on
ly one of them which came before Congress
while was member. voted in the neg
ative on the motion to lay upon the table the
petition of the American Anti Slavery
Society for the abolition of slavery in the dis
trict Of Columbia, and on other motions Of
like character, introduced to stave off the
consideration of this class ofpetitions.
am, Dear Sir, very respectfully,
Your friend and servant,
EDWARD EVERETT.
To Hon. Nathaniel Borden.
These little "reminiscences have been revi
we'd by the Richmond Enquirer, much to the
grief of the "Union loving supporters ofthe
Bell-Everett ticket in Virginia.