Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-07-21
r,..,,, ~.sv.rx R.eera.
The FeFia gives the following article pre-

slavery question AS the charge has been made far
and wide by Democratic presses and orators, It IS
well that the matter should be placed right a
The charge is made that Mr.. Bell voted in favor OF
the abolition of the slave trade IN the District OF Co
Iumbia.
On page 1886, Congressional Globe, vol. q, APP
pears the following proceedings . Is
eH President, rise % inqurs what Is the epe'
TT Pa1ssssT~It on the passage Of the bill tO sup
pres the slave trade III the District Of coluutia;
Mr. Msson called for the yeas and nays the Psssss and
TrssNsssS baldwin. Benton, BrsAt 1ss. Chase Clark
Clay Cooper Davis, q &ass Dayton 1sgs,
Greene, GsSia, Hale, Hzmin, Houston gones HasIss'
Seward, SbieLds s2russee, snrgson Underwood "HS'
SaTs-Messrs Atchison, Badger. Barnws BELL BsITisn,
Butler, DAVIS, Of Mississippi, Dawson, Doan Hanrsr rd
Yuss-is.
We have noted, among the yeas in italics, the
names of Democrats now in full Fellowship win
both branches Of the Democracy MT pen y hnId
cent of the charge. YET they reject Nun anu nolu
on to men who are guilty. Il Gas we neheveJ MY
are honorable. candid men, they VIII re.race 1iie
charge And if they sincere, IN tnelr
ton of this measure and lts supporters, 'ls &C.
to cut loose from such men as Douglass DflBht Oss,
dickinson and Gv1n who forced this great outrage
unon fine South. but who are now IN full com,
nunion with one or the other OF tine great hauo''i
| Democratic parties.-Selnd (Ald) reporter.
Iu the discussion upon this bill Mr. BELL placed
himself upon the record so as to leave no doubt
whatever as to his sentiments not only upon the
suppression of the slave trade, but the abolition OF
slavery in the District of Columbia. In the discus
sion of the bill to suppress the slave trade in the
District Of Columbia Zone of the Compromise meas
uresO on the nth of September, 1850, Mr.. BELL
said (See Appendix the Congressional GLOBE vol
%, page 1861
With regard to the constitutional power OF Con
gress over this subject would say that tne only
doubt have of the existence Of the power either 70
suppress the slave trade abolish slavery In TINS
District is inspired by the respect have ior She
opinons of so many distinguished and eminent men,
both in and out of Congress- who hold that Congress
has no such power. Reading the Consutuuonior
myself | believe that Congress has all the power
over the subject in this district which the states
have within their respective Jurisdictions
But however great my respect may De ior uhe opil-
ions of others the question OF power mere aIs W
considerations of such high account IN yJadgen TO
make Il desirable that aieSS by common consent uae pro
ject of abolition shall be rhOly giUen up and d6Gndoned
The REMNANT OF SLAVERY EXISTING IN THE DisIluci
SHOULD BE ABOLISHED AT ONCE at the presen'
moment. however the excited state of pubic sentF
ment in the South growing out of territorial cues
tions may seem to forbid such course FOR my
self if the sentiment of the adjacent oates anu "
the South generally were less lntlamed WIZ ~
: PREFER THAT COURSE TO KEEPING II An
OPEN QUESTION. Slavery in the District OF 20
lumbia Is now the only remaining ground OF cont1h
Il tion-the only remaining point of objection ana as
sault on the part of the anti-slavery North az
not include the fanatics. Ihsy tca Oe Sat5$e1 . ~
NOTHING short of the extinction Of slavery IN me oeS
but ali others at the North discalm any lntentoh OF
design or any constitutional power to interfere WIZ
n slavery anywhere but in the District OF Columbia
j. l ,p0d be Glad TO all cause Of Disturbance d'
contention in the District t5hOHy removed; but let I'M
saw that this can never be done by the abolition 0
&c slavery unless it be accompanied by some adequau
l. provision for the removal the effective contro
OF the slaves after they shall be emaneipated VIII
this qualification ard in order to test the determine
ton of the North in regard to any further and con
tnued aggression upon southern feelings and the Sc
9, curity of southern property | WOULD BE OON
- | TENT TO SEE SLAVERY IN THE DISFRlCl
ABOLISHED TO DAY. In one aspect OF the SUI
In ;ect / am not sure that it would not be A GREA'
lg CONSERVATIVE MEASURE both as regards tn
Union and the interests of the South. The Dlstrlc
once relieved of all sources of dissenson, we "oul
: be speedily enlightened upon the question whethe
10 the North would stop there, or raise new ana NOR
II. dangerous issues II all agitation should ceas'
then would the whole country in all its sections an
= interests experience the blessings of repose froI
~ this dstracting controversy; on the other haH'
v should the North manifest determination TO contill
the strife bu attacking other points the ouacertal!
st achick ;ouo hangs oUer the fortunes Of the Soh loW
20 fisDeIed and the people 1oOdd then haze the opn0n
deciding their destiny loithot tTther deay Inc
e could either make up their minds to suomlt In que
and with becoming grace, to whatever the Mort
~ NAV decree or 20 take steps for successful reSLsdnC
If sir it were proposed now to eradicate SLAYER
OF from the District and and at the same time provid
proper securities for the removal or effective CO..
troll of the free coored population AN NOT PRl
ut PARED TO SAY THAT THE SOUTH SHOUL
We RESIST THE MEASURE -,
mt With regard to the proposition to suppress Il
slave trade IN the District. as already stated
N' MADE UP MY MIND THAT 1T OUGHT To
er DONE ON SEVERAL GROUNDS. In the mr.
ID place it is known that the Saue trade sn incident
lie the unresrained right of property IN slaves IS
., most offensive feature of the institution. u IS 50
garded in the South as well as in the North.
sc R sir acers a member Of tO,cR on city council
Sc Ec should not hesitate 10 gire my roice for the SO
rjression of these sIaue depOtS or SLAVE PENS, as IN
4, are called lctin the precincts Of the coTpordtcn
" 1t will! thus be seen that Mr. BELL clearly and VI
eouivocally committed himself to the suppression
the slave trade in the District of Columbia, notwlt
= standing he voted against the bill for that purpos
y His vote was. therefore, not influenced by any
= position to the principle of the bill.
% But the worst feature is that Mr.. BELL committ'
- himself to the abolition Of SLAVERY in the District
- Columbia.
" Now read what Mr.. BELL said in his letter acceI
- ing the nomination for the Presidency;
h The Convention IN dscarding the use OF platform
De- exacts no pledges from those whom they zee
al worthy of the highest trusts under the GoVerhneL
he wisely considering that THE suREsT GUARANII of
-, ,flys Future USEFULNESS FIDELITY TO THE GRE
'u' INTERESTS OF THE COUNTRY in any official station
hS which he may be chosen, is TO BE FObAD N Has "a
Ost | HISTORY CONNECTED WITH THE PUBLIC SERVICE
ne MIR, Breckinridge's Frankfort Speech.