The sun., 1908-05-10

During the decade preceding the out
break Of the civil war the paramount ques-
ton was, Of course that Of the extension Of
slavery. and Bancroft. like certain other
conspicuous Democrats OF the North, put
himself on record again and again as it's
uncompromising foe. Thus, in a letter
dated September, 1885, to his old friend W.
i, Marcy, then Secretary Of State. he does
not hesitate to avow his severe disapproval
Of the course Of President Pierce on Kansas
matters Nothing he said could be
more e1ecrable than his purpose TO enforce
the enactment Of the fraudulent Legisla-
turs which he called legitimate He eI-
presses qualification to hear that Marcy
had disapproved Of the Presidents course
This cruel attempt to conquer Kansas into
slavery is the worst thing ever projected
In our history. Pierce will be handed over
to contempt; for pOsterity will flnd for him
no apology but In the feebleness Of his in
tellect.' Elsewhere in the same letter he
says; '0h for q voice Of true democracy
But we're a man to utter the truth this bas-
tard race that controls the party organiza-
tion. this unproductive hybrid, begot by
Southern arrogance upon Northern sub
serviency, would. dare say. 60 raving.-
Personally he wished Buchanan success.
but thought the latter would find himself
in bad position whether elected or not. In
a warning letter 10 Buchanan after the lat
ter's election he writes: "Your position
eminently favors Independence. II the
South gave more votes for you, your nomi-
nation was due TO the North. The rabid
Pro-Slavery Nullihers, who with affected
regard for State Rights on their lips have
done more than any preceding party to con-
centre power in the general Government,
and who. with professions Of democracy,
are the most sristocratio faction in the
country, will Of necessity oppose you, just
as they opposed jackson. But their oppo-
sition is less dangerous than their love.
Their friendship was the death OF the repu-
tation OF Pierce He adds Il trust II
will fall TO your lot 10 bring Kansas into the
Union as Free State, and with the general
acquiesoence OF the South. That is the
only great healing measure which can re-
store the country permanently to tran
quill lity.'
With reference to the Dred Scott decision
he wrote In July, 1857, to James NJ, Mason,
then a United States Senator from Vir-
ginia and afterward a Confederate Com
missioner 10 England. @The Chief Justice
! am bound 10 say is so far as history is
concerned, altogether in the wrong Free
coored men we're treated here in New
York az citizens as everybody In this State
the ground laid down by the Chief Justice.
He is also wrong in saying white men have
ever regarded the black race as having no
rights He recalled that even South Caro-
lima made mulatto. who was seven-eighths |
OF white descent, a citizen. He himself |
remained, he told his correspondent, OF the !
old State Rights school, and believed that
the framer Of the Declaration Of Inde-
pendence and the fashioneB Of the Con-
stituton meant the subject to be eIciu- |
sively and unreservedly with the laws Of !
the State. A little later in the same year
he wrote TO Stephen A. Douglas: Il hear, ,
and trust may believe, that you intend, |
at the opening Of Congress. 10 stand by your
Nebraska bill in its plain signihcation. and ,
not to allow it 10 become, in the hands Of
timid or unprinoipled men, an imposture I,
and a sham. At this time Il needs nothing
but hrmness on your part In which never
knew you to be wanting, TO place your bill,
yourself and Democracy in a proud posi-
lion, better one than It has occupied since
Polk went out Of Office