Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-08-09
ALEXANDRIA,:
THURSDAY MORNING, AUGUST ., 1860
.,1r. BELL, having been Intercepted by Mr..

THURSDAY MORNING, AUGUST ., 1860.
dr. BELL, having been Intercepted by Mr..
Thomas Ii. Watts, citizen of the State OF
alabama, with regard to his opinions on
certain questions Of current political inter
eat, has addressed, in reply to his correspon-
dert letter, in which he declines, Tor the
reasons assigned, TO make any ne'c statements
or definitions in regard to the principles i'll
?olrea in the pending canvass, and points
20 the record Of his long public life, as a sut-
fcien, index to the opinions he entertalns on
e.l the leading questions which now engage
The attention Of the American people But,
Il order to facilitate a reference to the sources
0" information on this head, he has accom-
panied this response with syllabus OF his
record" as made up from review OF his
public caree., and from his speeches and
letters having bearing upon the subjects
10Y! III controversy before the country. This
compilation has been prepared by the Cen
..al Union Committee OF Tennessee, and
gives all the information which can be de-
aired. ilr Bell tells Mr.. Watts, elf in the
aathentic exposition of my course upon the
arbject of slavery, running through period
o. TWENTY-FIVE years, YOU can find nothing to
iu3 ,ire you with confidence that. in tn, event
OF my erection, would SO employ the power
enG influence OF the Executive Department
OF the Government as to give no Just ground
on complaint 70 the South, or any other sec
Ion of tie Union, While | would regret the
lo.c of your support, and that Of your friends,
: cocld not reasonably expect to receive 1t"
i. nd, he says, 1.-The great aim Of the National
Union party, is to restore peace, with Justice
20 3otn sections of the UniOn-not 10 per-
Ietrste strife
The venerable, the patriotic, the eloquent
Cri;tenden, lately made a splendid speech at
louisville, kentucky. lie discussed the
;ec.icnGlists, the DisunioniSts, the candi-
dates anu the platforms. He said among
other things
an Congress, this session, where we pass
Cd resolutions avowing our mere powers over
slavery, it was asked, is it necessary for
Congress tc interfere? There was no case
calling for the interference of such power by
apecisl legislation. No Senator would take
AEON himself the responsibility Of proposing
cnv cnch case except one, | believe who
yen.ureG to say he thought there was oc-
81 sol. Southern Senators agreed that there
.~ac no carse now existing upon which they
-,ould advise legislation; and yet we arc
qusrreling about the degree OF power which
u % be exercised by Congress, not with res
Dac* TO any Territories which we now have
BIT in relation to a case that may arise In
2ome future territory. None is anticipated
in sny Territory which we now have to fill.
70 mails it practical question you have to
suppose o. future territory OF a character to
tract slavery; that there shall bo an emigra-
zion OF shareholders toit; that the Territorial
legislature which assumes TO deal with pro-
perty nae committed a fragrant outrage: and
,h,t The Individual he's called upon Congress.
These contingencies must all combine. and
then end Their only do these learned and
lerce Gispatants insist upon the exercise OF
oower by Congress. We have no Territory
where such q question can ARISE. We have
lot now { single piece Of territory to which
5lavery would go if ii We're invited. Why
taea dispute about Il possibility that will
orobcbly never arise. They are 50 impa-
tiant .!itn having nothing to do that they
I'LL 20 qusrrelhng ebout what lies in dim flu
furity and by speculation raise up in a spir-
!. of Giocord E possible question which may
occr""