New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-01-04
A Challenge 20 DR.. Checver.

NJ" ohh, Jam 4, ADos.
Rev. GEORGE Is. CnEEyER, ID. D.-Dcar Sir:
noticed with some interest your recent letter ~ tho
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. inviting him 10 public
discussion Of the consttuionay Of Slavery and his
letter In reply ind have been expecting 90
thing further upon the subject. But, as over three
weeks have elapsed withoG. further response from your
self from any other party deem it not altogether
out Of place. perhaps to address yon this letter.
II understand you correctly TIE question does not
relate 10 tho moral right OF any individual State to
hold slaves at any time under any Circumstance.
Neither does concern the right Of secded State, 10
have the integrity OF Slavery guaranteed by the ben'ra
Government. since they have trnpled the tonstitur on
under foot and levied war against the United St',es
Upon these points we are agreed. SlayeholGIng IL
morally wrong oycrywhero. aud always; ana
those in revolt against the Government nave but
right under the Constitution and that h 70 die for
treason against H. But the question Relates "a the Poht
iai rights Of the slave States under the Constitution
in time II peace and before their revolt. pom tlls
point Amt Slavery men differ. Mr.. Recchcr 1t seems
believes that although IT was morally wrong, ana 10 DC
deploed yet the Conltuiion does recognize aud toe-
rate Slavery: and thus virtually comedies 10 all TIE
States The political right hold slaves II they choose,
without int rierence the pIrt 0l the general govern
ment Messrs. Garrison. Philips, Greeley. AID per-
haps nine snths OF all the Einanopa'ioniss ID tlis
country (incniire my hgmblc sclL) adopt ihis view.
Ga the hand Mr. Goodcl yourself aud others, seem TO
regard the Constitution IS au Emancipation document
~
had the political riybt 20 hold a slave.
Now although DO not gard your view Of n" rat
ter quite .ssentialto sound Antsaserlsm D. yon
seem b., peygTtLlla4. ~ - ','' 49,, ,
the sounlnes, Of my Anii.slayerysm was puOhcy
called IN question In your church and upcl tins very
question about q since. by yourself ard Others,
conclude to make sou this proposition.
Wilhou; pfcsuming "a Stand In the shoes Of Henry
Ward Eeccher or a. regard myself in any wise your
equal h. argument popularity ~ learning an VIII
NO 10 discuss with you the question involved. AZ the
Cooper ln.t,tutc cssw here, At some time during the
Tcnt Winter convenient fr both 0l ", urOh the fol-
lowing conditions;
Firs,i To include al ia a nutshell the question shall
be- Does the Federal Constitution. with IT. seVeia
amendments n their true intent and meaning 80 FAR
authoiifc project guarantee recognize, or tolerate
>la,,ry th.i the slave S'Hts had before thelr reloi
the political riChf under the Constitution, tn perpet1a'e
slavery within their respective domeu us without inter-
ference On the part v, the General Government
s,cona OF this question. which think fairly states
IA. real issue will maintain tie Affirmative and YOU
tho negative
II ability ard honor 20 preside during the debate.
Ioa-sfs We viii speak alternately three quarters OF
II AN hour each iAat there may be- two speeches on
the sane evening
FifA Tho debate may continne 20 long We mutu-
ally deem Il expedienl ssy one TIVE or three evenings
SnAs viii Join yol IN assuming the rent Of the
hail. Il sou prefer 10 g there. and II admission by
ticket. IL. proceeds above eNper,cs 10 80 10 tho Nd
faoaci Frsef-raHs Reli,f dssseiaii0a.
leave the city on Monday next on leoturine tour
In the northern pntt this State be gone weeks
with you during thnt tm. and trust that No poiract
ID correspondence vii. be deemed Necessary. IL you
accept MY proposition. and 80 indicate 10y pnDc
rcp, VIII tax. TIE earliest opportunity after my re'
turn 20 call upon Won and adjust all unsos"ru ptellh
Al. MAIriSoN