Year: 1860

Lyons, Iowa, May 28th, 1860.


MeSsrs. Editors Journal Of Commerce:


have had for great many years such per
feet confidence in your opinions, alike upon
moral religious, and political matters, that
am as l might say, thoroughly absorbed with
them. Next to "Thus saith the Lord" is the
authority of the Journal of Commerce But
enough in that strain. | am almost afraid re
spected sirs, to agree with you upon the pres.
ent aspect of of the slavery question. speak
as religious man, and as one who loves his
country for the good it seems destined to ac-
complsh. | believe In the principle Of nom
Intervention by Congress in all matters pertain
ing to slavery in the Territories of the United
States; and that belief has been strengthened
by the opinion and facts that have so often been
given in your columns. 1t seems to me that
you rather advocate a different policy in your
paper Of last week, and ] am fearful OF the con-
sequences-of the result-if allow your opln-
ION to change my views on that matter. lun-
derstand you to advocate the doctrine that con-
grossonal intervention to protect slavery in
the Territories is morally and constitutionally
just and right, but to prohibit that institution
by the same authority is wrong ard unjust
Am mistaken? (a) | cannot deny that Mr..
Benjamin's [of La, speech, which you rather
endorse, is logically sound, nor that the Ten
nessee resolution is constitutionally correct;


I l., loI,o tL,ot,
the republican party do not get the control Of
the Government, and if no change is made IN
the Constitution, such q policy will be advoca-
ted and supported by the North, eventually;
but, gentlemen, VIC cannot expect to carry any
such point in the approaching contest. We
may as we'll give up the control of our Govern
ment to the republican party at once as to try
to carry such dead weight upon our shoulders
as to try to make the North believe that sla
very must be protected in the Territories, but
not prohibited. (D) Why, it seems to me good
logic and consistency will inevitably lead us to
the principle that slavery must be protected in
the States, and that no State has any right to
make laws to prohibit that institution within
its borders. l cannot see any other result. (c)
And is the democratic party, or, in fact, is any
Northern man, going to take such position in
the present contest with the least hope Of sue
cess? candidly believe not. We must wait
for other contingencies to arrive before we can
make any respectable show in such a contest,
Some higher authority must make such an is.
sue besides the democratic party before the
people will even listen to such doctrine. l
fully believe the Douglas policy is the only pol
ic;r that can defeat the opposition in the COM
ng election. (d) firmly believe the demo
cratic party at the North, almost en- n1nsse,
will go over to the republicans before they will
approve Of the demands set up by the South.
(e) II the South de sire such an alternative let
them go on. They can have their choice
The North are daily becoming more and more
conscious OF their strength. The coming CEN
sus will fully establish tho fact, and if the
South are determined to force such doctrine
expect to be defeated; that is all. And then
let them beware of the results. The demo-
cratic party have got tremendous prejudice
and ignorance among the masses of the people
at the North to overcome, even upon the non
intervention policy; and 70 drag on anything
approaching slave code for the Territories
will sink us, and no mistake. And besides,
gentlemen, the South itself is very much divi-
ded at the present time; that it seems to me,
should influence those who desire the success
Of the democracy in the course now to be
pursued


So far as mere party is concerned, | care
nothing; but do solemny believe that the
success of the republican party--next to a
slave code for the Territories (g) and its inevi
table consequences prove the greatest
curse and disgrace that our country has ever
suffered.


Messrs Editors, please make yourselves clear
in your articles upon these questions. (b) | do
not want to differ from you; nor do | want
your opinions to mislead me, nor thousands OF
others who know have the most perfect con-
fdence in what you may say. Your conserva-
tive position is proud one. Do not sacrifice
it. Do be cautious what position you take up
on the questions that so divide the democratic
party. Do not advocate policy with sure de-
feat staring you in the face. Whatever the Su
preme Court of the United States may decide,
A,nen, / will say; but let the democratic party
be careful what itsays. It's authority is not
sufficient to satisfy the class OF minds which
control and govern the country, when it is in