The register. (Monroe, La.) 185?-1861, 1860-08-23
The Challenge.

The Challenge.
sour candidates need no eulogy from u.s.
John Bell gained his laurels as the compeer of
Clay, Calhoun and Webster be was among the
foremost in those days when there were giants
In the land. While he has ever been true to
his action, he has been ever devoted to his
country. We say to our friends, his record is
before you !; it is not written in water. Chal- |
lenge investigaton!'
The above extract is taken from the address
of the estate Executive Committee of the
National Constitutional Union party" signed
by NJ. Musson, Chairman, and Thomas Curry, |
Secretary.
The following extracts are taken from let
ter written by John Bell on the 25th of July, |
1860, in answer to J. W. Echols and others,
Committee appointed to address him by the
convention at Selma, Alabama, which nomi-
mated the Electoral ticket in this State for
Bell and Everett:
81 determined to postpone any answer until
o collection or compilation could be made Of
such Of my speeches, etc., or of extracts from
them. as would sufficiently illustrate my course,
and exhibit the views and principles hereto
fore expresad on the principal subjects of in
quiry in the letters addressed to me and especi-
ally on the subject Of slavery.
~ believed that it would be more respect
full as well as more satisfactory to you to ac-
company my answer with such an exposition of
my past course, inasmuch as the only reply
make to all such letters would be but little
more than a reference to it, consistently with
the position occupy before the public.
The public are respectfully requested to ex-
anime the following specimens Of the political
opinions Of John Beh, an extract from those
speeches so ostentatiOusly referred to as evil
dences of bis present opinions:
ON THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY AND THE SLAVE
TRADE IN THE DISTRICT OE COLUMBIA.
| In the discussion upon this bill, Mr.. Bell
placed himself upon the record SO as to leave
no doubt whatever to his sentiments not only
upon the suppression Of the slave trade, but
the abolition slavery in the District Of Co.
lumbia. In the discussion Of the bill to sup
press the slave trade in the District Of Column
| bia, cone of the compromise measures) on the
l4th of of September, 1850, Mr. Bell said [See
Appendix to the Congressional Globe, vol. ~,
page 1861
sWith 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 for the opinions Of many
distinguished and eminent men, both in and
out Of Congress, 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 tn.
question of power, there are some considerations o
such high account as in myjadgnaeat to make desi
rable that, a,aless by common consent the PROJECT @
abolition shall be anolly given up and abandoned
! THE REMNANT OF SLAVERY EXISTING IN THE DIS
TRIcr SHOULD BE ABOLISHED AT ONCE at the
present moment, however, the excited state o.
public sentiment in the south, growing out o
territorial questions may seem to forbid suct
course. For myself if the sentiment of the
i, adjacent States and of the South generally
were less infanied, WOULD PREFER THAI
COURSE TO KEEPING IT AN OPEN QUESTION"
"I,could beglad to see all cause Of disturbance ant
contention, in the District srholy removea but lie
, me say that this can never be done by thu
abolition of slavery, unless it be accompanied
by some adequate provision for the removal o.
the effective control of the slaves after they
: shall be emancipated. With this qualification
and in order to test the determination of thu
, North in regard to any further and continued
aggression upon southern feelings and the secu
: rity Of Southern property, WOULD BE CON
8 TENT TO SEE SLAVERY IN THE DISTRICT ABOLISH
ED TO DAT. In one aspect OF the subject, all
not sure that it would be A GREAT CoNsERvA
TIVE MEASURE, both as regards the Union ani
interest of the South"
II believe that gradual and progressive
1amelioration in the condition Of the save
of the South, such as took place in the progress
Of Roman civilization in softening the rlgor o
the servile population, would, before now have
marked the legislation Of the Southern State!
: upon.ths subject but for the officous interven
. ton of Northcren fanatieisnl. l allude to sucl
ameliorations ns forbid the separation Of fami
: lies, the separation Of husband and wife, paren
. and child either by voluntary act of the mas
: ter or by judicial process; the right efMe slaue
under certain circumstances, and 'rih proper Hmta
ton TO choose aep master, and to pass to him at a,
appraised value. Iverily believe that these in,
have been effected or in progress years ago, ii
many, if not all Of the slave States, but for thi
ill.indgcd agitation at the North"
What think you, slavc-owners, OF any o
! your slaves having the right to choose o new
], master and you being compelled to sell at NJ
: appraised value, to be fixed by others? TIL
'"ce,tuin circumstances" and the "proper limt1
ton" would be always made to oder when
| disconnected slave and covctous neighbo
Isit not manifest that the existence of any
! such right in the slave is inconsistent witt
/ slavery, and subversivc of the institution
) Further extracts from the same speech O
Mr.. Bell:
eff sir, il were proposed now to cradicat
slavery from the District, and at the same tim
!, provide proper securities for The removal G
, effective control of the free colored population
f AM NOT PREPARED TO SAY THAT THE SoUTl
RESIST THIS MEASURE.
y "Wth regard to the proposition to suppress
e the slave trade in the District as already sta
ted, / HAD MADE UP MY MIND THAT IT OUGHT T,
Re DONE ON SEVERAL GROUNDS. In the frs
place it is known that the SLAVE trade, an Incl
dent Of the unrestrained right of property il
slayes,!is thf.moa .beasivs fdure of ths iastitu
: tion. II is so regarded in the South as well q
in the North. But sir. acre a member o
city or to,en council, think I should not hesitai
to give my voice for the suppression of these slarc de
pots or SLAVE PENS, as they are called, ,oishin ii
precincts of The corporation.
II would Danish them at least from publ
views"
If to sell slaves be so heinous and detesta
BILE an offence, will some logician. skilled ii
metaphysic lore, tell lis how much less is tn
offenc Of buying slaves?
Every one conversant withe the political his
tory ofthc country knows that most, if not al