The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1860-08-22
John Bel on Slavery.

IMPORTANT CoRREspoNDENcE.-In the Mobile Adver-
tser We find letter from John Bell, dated July 23d
1860, written in replgto from Mr.. A. H. H. Dawson,
Of Montgomery, propounding the following inteiroga-
tories:
First, Does a territorial legislature possess the
power to inhib.t or establish slavery?
Second, Does congress possess such power?
Third Is the owner OF slave property in the terrific
es entitled to the same protection by the federal gov
eminent IN the peaceful enjoyment of his Slave property
as the owner of any property Isl
Towhch he responds BY referring to a compilation
prepared by himself of such of his speeches and
votes in congress illustrate his views in reference to
these subjects and which he declares to be his opinions
now. Mr. Bel transmits copy Of this collection and
saws:
| desire it to be understood that on declining to
make any further or different answer TO your letter.
than simply to refer you my past political course,
am not controlled exclusively by the authority and
views OF the convention which nominated me as their
Candidate for the presidency concur fully and most
heartily III the conclusion to which they came that It
was inexpedient and unwise adopt any platform of
principles beyond the simple declaration of their pur-
pose TO maintain the constitution the Union and the
laws Permit me TO express the hope that you will ind
IN this declaration of purpose by the convention, and
in the authentic exposition of my past political course
sufficient and satisfactory that in the event
OF my eleeuonto the presidency, all the constitutional
rights whetherof the States Of the people of the
States will be upheld to the full extent of the power
and influence theexecutiye department of the gov
eminent | an, with great respect, your fellow cti-
zen, JNO BELL.
Andrew II. 4. Dawson, esq, chairman etc
In answer u part Of Mr. Dawsons letter, Mr.. Bell
makes special eferenceto speech made by him the
oath and 10Th of May lo54 published in the 29th vol
Cong Globe, pages 947-9j8 in which he uttered the
following Language 10 wit:
AS to the principles Of 'squatter sovereignty" wish
further to say tlat in the late contest between general
Taylor and The honorable and distinguished senator
from Michigan Mr. Cass it was distinctly brought
forward as an issue before the people of Tennessee
In that contest, in common
with the southseneray, they the people OF TENNESSEE
repudated tie idea that handful, or any number OF
inhabitants territory of the United States, should
have the power granted to them by congress of regu
ting their domestic institutions and their discretion,
to deny TIT citizen of one section of the Union the
power to enDy his right Of property in slaves We
were not prepared to reverse and aside the previously
established pactee and doctrines of the government
from 1899 tC that time. We could see no peace, no
quiet endof agitation that to result from such
a course We thought that if territorial legislature
should, in years, establish orabolsh slavery,
the agitation of the question Of slavery would still go
We, in tennessee at that time believed We were
advocating principles and doctrines this subject APP
proved in all the southern States The principle then
contended TO that the people of territory, when
they came to form their State coustitu ion, and then
tons.
On the 5tl day of June, $50, Mr.. Berrien of Geor
ga offered in the senate of the United States the
following amendment to the compromise measures
then under consideration:
But no law shall be passed interfering with the pri-
mary dispos Of the soil orestabiishing prohibiting
African slavery.
Mr. Bell voted for the mendment-FPage 1884
Con. Globe vol 2lst
Here, Their is an answer to the first question of Mr.
Dawson which is full, distinct and emphatic. On the
18th day Of December, 1883, Mr.. Atherton, Of New
Hampshire offered the following resolution in the house.
to wit:
Resolved therefore, That all attempts on the part of
congress bohsh slavery ia the District of Columbia
the terriDriess to prohibit the removal of slaves
from State 0 State, to discriminate between the
Of portion of the confederacy and another
with the viFws aforesaid are in violation of the con
stuton, destructive Of the fundamental principle on
which the union Of these States rests and beyond the
jurisdiction of congress.
On this resolution Mr. Bell voted yea which amounts
to direct clear and conclusive answer to the second
question. On the 27th day of May 1s5 Mr.. Davis
offered the following amendment in the United States
senate to tie then pending compromise measures
Provided That nothing herein contained shall be
construed prevent said from
passing such laws may be necessary for the protection
Of the rights of the property of every kind which may
have been or may be hereafter, conformaby to the
constitution and laws of the United States, held n or
Introduced into said territory Mr.. Davis also prelaced
this proviso with remarks declaring his object TO
be to assert the duty of the government protect
slavery.
On this proyiso Mr. Bell voted yes, thus asserting,
under oath, the duty of protection when necessary.
He has answered then, with remarkable point, perspi
and power. Let those who doubt his deyo
ton to the south read and study his answer, and they
can never doubt again.