Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1861-01-14

|
successful Presidential candidate on the ground o
that policy, has been allowed, practically, no rep
resontatlon no utterance by speech, or througf
the press in toe slave states; while its policy, prin
cpes and sentiments, and even its temper, hav;
been so misrepresented as 10 excite apprehensions
that it denies important constitutional obligations
and aims at interference with slavery and its
overthrow by state authorities or intervention oi
the federal government.
Considerable masses even in the free states, in
terested in tie Of these Misrepresentation
rs 4 means Of partisan strategy, have lent their
sympathy 10 the party claiming to be aggriaved.
While the result OF the election brings the Repub-
ican party necessarily into the foreground in re-
sisting dsunion the prejudices against then which
have described have deprived them Of the coop
Grafton Of many good and patriotic citizens. On
complex issue between the Republican party
and the disunioniss, although it involves the di-
rest national calan,tes the result might be doubt
! tul; for thc Republican party is weak III large
| part fthe Union. But on direct issue, with all
who cherish the Union On one side, and all who
desire its dissolution by force the other, the
dict would be prompt and almost unanimous. l
desire thus to simplify the ISSUE and for that pur
puse to separate from it all collateral questions,
and relieve it Of all partizan passions and prejudi-
| ces.
consider the idea Of the withdrawal of the Gulf
states, and their permanent reorganization with or
without others in distinct contederacy means
| of advantage to themselves, so certainly unwse
and so obviously impossible Of execution, when the
purpose is understood, that dismiss it with the
discussion I have already incidentally bestowed
| upon it.
! The is different, however, il regard to the
other subjects which have brought in this con-
nection before the Senate.
Beyond a doubt, Union is vitaily important to
the Republican citizens of the United States; but it
II. 4
licanism and Union are, therefore, not convertible
terms. RSpubicanism is subordinate to Union, as
everything else is and ought TO be-Rcpublica
Democracy, every other political name and thing;
all are subordinate-and they oug ht to disappear
in the presence Of the great question Of Union So
far rs am concerned, it shall be so it should be
if the question to be tried as it ought
only to be determined, by the peaceful ordeal of
the ballot.
It shall be so all the more since there is ON one
side preparedness refer it to the arbitrament Of
civil war. I have such faith in this republican
system Of ours, that there is no political good
which [ desire that | am not content to seek
through its peaceful forms Of admins ration with
out Invoking revolutionary action. II others shall
invoke that form Of action to oppose and over
throw gorerrmcnt, they shall! not, !ar as it de.
penis on III" have the excuse that / oostinatey
left sci 20 he misunderstood. IL such case
cal. afford 10 meet pref udice with c9mcation ex-
action with concession which surrende"s princi-
pie, and violence with the right hand Of pea:e.
Therefore, sir, so far as the abstract question
whether, by the constitution Of the United States,
the bonlsman, who is made such by the laws of
state, is still IL man or only property, answer
that. within tia. state its laws on that subject are
supre me; that when he has escaped from that
state into another, the constitution regards him
as oondStnan who may not, by any law Or regu-
atioE of shat state, be discharged from his service
hut shall be delivered up, claim to the party
to whO.i his service IS DAG.
While prudence and justice would combine in
rerxuading you to modify the acts Of Congress-
that subject, 20 as not To 0hlge private persons to
assist iii their execution, auG 10 protect rccmeR
from being. by abuse Of the laws carried into sla-
very agree that all laws Of the states, whether
free states or slave states which relate to this
class of persons, or any others recently coming
from or resident in other states and which laws
c0ntrasene the constitution Of the United States,
or any law of Congress passed in conformity
thereto. ought to DC repealed.
Secondly. Experience in public affairs has con-
frmca my opinion, that domestic slavery, existing
in any state is wisely left by the constitution OF
the United States exclusively to the care, manage.
meat and disposition Of that state; and if it were
in my power woud not alter the constitution in
that respect. IF misappTeheusion Of my position
needs strong remedy, / I'm willing to vote
-,
that it shall not, by any future amendment, be So
altered to confer on Congress power 10 abol'
isl Or interfere with slavery in any state.
Thirdly. While | think that Congress has ex-
elusive and sovereign authority to lesislate all
subjects whatever, in the common territories OF the
United States and while L certainly shall never,
directly or Indirectly give my vote to establish or
sanction slavery III such territories, or anywhere
else in the world. yet the question what constiu-
tionai laws shall al any tine bo passed in regard to
the territories, is, like every other question, to be
determined practical groun :. voted tor
enabling acts in the cases Of Oregon, Minnesota.
and Kansas, without being able to secure in them
such provisions as I would have preferred; and
yet [ voted wisely.
So now en- rel satisfied that, under existing
circumstances, happy and satisfactory solution
of the difficulties in the remaining territories
:YouiG be u6;aiuel BY similar laws, providing for
their organization, Il such organization were other
wise practicahic. e, there .ore Kansas were ad-
mtted az \ state, under the Wyaudotte consttu-
iion as think she ought TO be, a"d If the organ
c laws Of NIL tho other territories could be repeal
ed : could vote TO authorize the organization and
ad mission cf two ne. states which should include
Ihem reservins the right to effect subdivisions Of
them whenever ucccsSaly, into several conToDient
states; but do not find that such reservations
could BIZ copsttuti0nally made.
Without them. the Interior eulbarrasments which
would result from the nasty incorporation OIL states
of such vast extent and various interests and
character would outweigh ali the immediate ad-
vautn.rs uf such Il measure. But il the measure
we're practicuble, should prefer different course
namely: when the eccentric movements of scces-
sion aud GisuuiDn shutl have ended, in whatever
form that end muy come and the angry excite.
ments Of the hour -shall-have subsidized and
camness once more shall have resumed its accus-
tomcd sway over the public mind, then, and not
till then-one, two or three years henee-I should
chcerfully advise conyenticn of the people, to
be assembled in pursuance Of the constitution, to
consider and decide whether any and what amend
ments Of the orgauir national law ought to be
! .4ate.
4 Republican now-as have heretofore been a
member of other parties existing in my day
nevertheless hold and CHERISH us l'haVe always
dome the principle that this goyecnmen; exists IN
lis present form, only by the consent of the gov
crncd and that it is necessary as II Is wise, 10
resort ~ the reaplc for Icyisons OF the organic
la,r WHEN fi:e troubles ard dangers eI The state
certainly transcend the powers delegated by it to
! ,Le public authorities Nor oaght the suggestion
u excite surprise Government in any form is q
machine: this il the most complex ono that the
! mind of 1eau mas ever !nveated, or tae hand OF
man has ever framed. Perfecs a. ii is, it ought to
be expected that it will, as least Us often once
| in a century, require some modification to adapt
| il to the changes oi Society and alterations Of
| empire.
! Fnurthv. hold rnyse,f ready now a. awaays