Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1861-01-18

name ana thing arc all northumberland
they ought to disappear in the presence of
the Union, So far as | am concerned, it shall
be SO it should be so, if the question were
sure tn be tried as 1t ought only to be determ-
tned, by the peaceful ordeal Of the ballot
1t shall be SO all the more, since there is on
one side preparedness to refer it to the arbit-
rament Of civil war.
have such faith in this republican sys.
TEN OF ours, that there is no political good
that desire, that | am not content to seek
through its peaceful forms of administration
without invoking revolutionary action. II
others shall invoke that form Of action to op-
pose and overthrow Government, they shall
not, so far as it depends on me, have the ex-
cuse that | obstinatcly left myself to be mis-
understood. In such case can afford to
meet prejudice with Cancellation, exacti on
with concessions which surrender no princi-
pie, and violence with the right hand of
peace.
Therefore, sir, SO far as the abstract qucs-
ton whether, by the Constitution of the
United States, bondman who is made such
by the laws OF a State, is still man or My
property, answer that within that State
its laws on that subject are supreme that
when he has escaped from that State into
another, the Constitution regards him as a
oondsman who may not, by any law or reg
nlation Of that State be discharged from his
service, but shall be delivered up, on claim
to the party to whom his service is due,
While prudence and justice would combine
IN pursuaidng you to modify the acts o.
Congress on that subject, SO as not to oblige
private persons to assist in their execution,
and to protect freemen from being by abuse
OF the laws, carried into slavery, | agree that
all laws OF the state whether free States or
slave States which relate to this class of per-
sons, or any others recently coming from or
residents IN other States, and which law con-
traSene the Con situation of the United States,
or any law of Congress passed in conformity
therein, ought to be repe led.
secondly Experience in public afftirs
has confirmed my opinion, that domestic
slavery. existing III any State. is wisely left
/ by the Constitution OF the nited States ex
clusiyely to the care, management, AMI dis
/ position of that State; and il it were in my
+ power would not alter the constitution in
that respect. II misarprehension OF my
position need 50 strong remedy, am will
ing to vote for an amendment OF the consti-
tuition, declaring that it shall not, by any
future amendment, be SO altered rs to confer
on Congress a power to abolish or to interfere
with slavery in any State.
Thirdly. While l think that Congress
has exclusive and sovereign authority to leg
islate on all subjects whatever in the com
mon Territory Of the United States, and
while certainly shall never, directly or in
directly, give my vote to establish or sane
ton slavery in such Territories, or anywhere
else in the world, yet the question what con-
stitntlonal laws shall at any time be passed
in regard 10 the Territories, is, like every
other question, to be determined on practi-
cal grounds. | voted for enabling acts in
/ the cases OF Oregon, Minnesota and Kansas,
without being able to secure in them such
/ provisions as would have preferred and
yet voted wisely.
/ So now, ain well satisfied that. under ex-
listing circumstances, happy and satisftcto-
~ solution Of the difficulties in the remain
Territories would be obtained by similar laws,
+ providing for their organization, ii such or
ganizat;on were otherwise practicable, Ii,
therefore, Kansas was admitted as a State,
under the W yandotte Constitution as | think
she ought to be, and if the organic laws Of
all other Territories could be repealed, i could
vote to authorize the organization and admis
sion Q! two new States which should include
them, reserying the right to effect ,uo.uivis
ions Of them wherever necessary into ssfer-
al convenient States but do rot hnd that
saeh reservations could &c e9nsdtatI2natIy
made.
Without them the Interior embarrass-
ments which would result from the nasty in
corporation Of States Of such vast extent and
various interests and character would out
weigh all the immediate advantages of such
measure. But if the measure were practi-
cable. | should prefer different course,
namely when the eccentric movements OF
secession and diSunion shall have ended, IN
whater form that end may come, and the an
cry excitements Of the hour shall have re
sumed Its accustomed sway over the public
mind, then, and not until then, one. two, or
. three years hence-I should chcerfally ad-
wise convention of the people, to be assem-
bled in pursuance Of the Constitution, to
consider and decide whether any and what
amendments of the organic national law
ought to be made.
y Republican now-as | have hitherto
been member of other parties existing in my
day, nevertheless hold and cherish, as |
have always DONE the principle that this gov
, ernment exists in it's present form only by the
consent of the governed and that it is as
necessary as it is wise, to resort 70 the peo-
pie for reyisions of the organic law when the
} troubles and dangers Of the State certainly
transcend the powers delegated by it to the
public authorities.
-.