Columbus, Aug
20h [1860]
Dear Sir, Yours
of the 11th reached me yesterday on my return from Michigan; & I hasten to
thank you for the expressions of regard & confidence which it contains.
It would be a vain attempt were I to try to correct all or a
very small part of the misrepresentations or misconceptions of my views which
find their way into the Press: & I do not think it worth while to make the
effort in respect to these to which you call my attention.
Fortunately I have no new opinions to express on any
question connected with Nationalized Slavery. In my speech on Mr. Clay's
compromise Resolutions in 1850, I distinctly stated my views in respect to
legislative prohibition of Slavery in Territories. You will find this speech in
the Congressional Globe Appendix, 1849-50, and this particular question
discussed on page 478. I reaffirmed the same views in the Nebraska-Kansas
Debate; & I have seen no occasion to change them. They are now
substantially embodied in the Republican National Platform.
In respect to the organization of Territorial Governments I
think Mr. Jefferson's plan of 1784 the better plan. It contemplated the
prohibition of Slavery, as did the plan subsequently adopted, but it left more
both in Organization & Administration to the people. The great objections
to the “Territorial bills” of last winter, to which you refer, were in my
judgment that they did not contain so distinct and explicit prohibition
of Slavery, & that they did provide for the appointment of
Territorial Officers by the Administration; which was equivalent to giving them
pro-slavery Governors, Judges &c. To these bills I certainly preferred Mr.
Thayer's Land District Bills: & I should have preferred bills framed on the
plan of Jefferson, but with larger freedom of Legislation, to either.
I regret very much to hear of the feeling which exists in
the Worcester District in regard to Mr. Thayer. I have but a slight personal
acquaintance with him, but that acquaintance impressed me with a belief that he
is sincere, earnest, & able. He has certainly rendered great service to the
cause of Freedom. His plan of Organized Emigration contributed largely to save
Kansas from Slavery. And if he now pushes his ideas too far in the direction of
absolutely unlimited control by the settlers of a territory over every
matter within their own limits whether national in its reach & consequences
or not, it should be remembered that nothing is more certain than that the
ripening convictions of the people favor — not the substitution of Presidential
Intervention for Slavery, in place of Congressional Intervention against
Slavery, which is the sole achievement of the Douglas Nebraska Scheme — but the
admission of a far larger measure of true Popular Sovereignty, — fully
harmonized with the fundamental principles of Human Rights, in the organization
of Territorial Governments.
I write this for your own satisfaction, & because your
kind letter calls for a frank response; I do not write for publication: because
no opinions of individuals at this time are important enough to be thrust
before the public. We are engaged in a great struggle upon a great issue fairly
joined through our National Convention. God forbid that any personal strifes
should endanger the Cause! Let us gain the victory; & I am sure that there
will be then no difficulty in so harmonizing views, by honest endeavors to
satisfy each others reasonable demands, as to secure that after success without
which the preliminary success at the November Polls will be of little value.
_______________
* From letter-book 7, pp. 68-70. John Denison Baldwin
1809-1883; journalist at this time, owner and editor of the Worcester Spy;
member of Congress 1863-1869.
SOURCE: Diary and correspondence of Salmon P. Chase, Annual
Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1902, Vol.
2, p. 289-90
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