Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-07-09

are daily fulfilling before our ewes. and
we cordially wish, that we may not lave
cause to acknowledge a fulfilment in our
day, Oh the score OF military men aud ar
mes. rAGRICOI.A.
MISSOURI QUESTION.
The writer of the following article does
us justice, when he appeals 10 our {" ac-
Gu toned inpar,ialiiy." Though we differ
FROM h,n, IN opinion. yetit is right to give
both adaS an opportunity of being heard
We di>s from The statements Of Mentor.
The treaty of Louisiana stipua,es thar
The " inhabitants of tie coded territory
shall I've Incorporated in The Union of the
United States and admitted as sonu as
possible, according to the principles oil
the federal constitution, 10 The enjoyment
oil all the rights, advantages ami iRlmnni-
lies ofciiieens OF Tue United States" But
the citizens of Virginia, Mary land, &c.
are permitted to hold slaves. Shall we
grantl!io them, and deny Tito tie citizens
.! Missouri !-ShaII we grant il To one
part Of The Ceded territory. and refuse il
10 another; to the citizens OF Louisiana.
and moi 10 iliUse of Missouri But The
House ni Representatives Ii, is said) are
yet To he cousulteh-iliey are not bound
sentcd.- But even grant this ; grant that
The treaty maxi y power does not bind
the House of RI representatives.: vel what
is the fact? Thai they did pass an act of
Oct. 81, 1903. authorizing the President
Io occupy the territory coded by the treaty
OF Paris OF course, OH The conditions of
that treaty.
We think, therefore, that Congress- are
bound by public faith fo admit Missouri
into the Union, as soou as possible, and
upon The sameterns asilie original States.
We have no doubt that this idea will final
ly be supported by both branches of
COngress-bui in the mean time, wewould
eXhort the citizens of Missouri TO unite
moderation OF manner with their firmness
of principle. |, is violence only which
can defeat their purpose. The citizens
may assemble, but Grand Jnries ought 10
beware of such preseniments.-This 10.
Tile institution, designed for civil, not
political purposes, has been of late years
so completely made nose of wax and
twisted To every sort of matter, that lis
dignity has been almost destroyed
resoriio the machinery o! Grand Juries
The people can have meetings of their
own-and i'll this shape, they can assert
every right which is attacked, and protest
against every grievance which is threaten
ed.-But the citizens OF Missouri, should
also beware of menaceS or diciation.-
They cannot separate themselves from
the Union; nor can they be admitted in.
10 the Union without Tie assent of the
United States:
ON TIE MISSOURI QUESTION.
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
Tie restriction attempted 10 he introduced
hi far NJ
on as a Stale, is important in its consequences,
and The princirles upon which il depends. Our
own interests and iealousies are concerned in
1T, aud 1t is therefore mOre dithcult 10 give the
subjec, all impartial investigation. 1t should
be remembered, however, that the principal
point IN Disputes question of constitutional
poWer in the decision of which interest, and
eXpediency should have no influence. Has the
congress OF The United Statesa right by the
principles Of our constitution to insist upon
this restriction as d condition OF admitting
new slate into the urion!
A clause in tue treaty cedipg Louisiana TO
the United States has heen thought TO give all
the territory, cOmprehendcd under that title,
a right 10 admission into the union, and upon
the terms OF the original compact. New states
cannot be admitted By treaty This power is
not vested la The president and senate, but in
congreSs--in the three branches OF the national
legislature. THE house of representatives,
then, can at all times refuse TO admit new
state, and il is entirely inconsistent with the
genius of Onr constitution TO suppose, that
they eau he deprived of the right to legisiate
freely upon this subject, hy any act of the
other two branches. The treaty OF cessiOn,
then, couiers no new right, so far as il regards
this subject upon the Inhabitants of Missou-
ri but the question must he decided upon the
general principles OF the constitution. The
extent OF the power claimed by congress is
frequently misrepresented and misunderstood.
III is not to compel Missouri to adopt certain
She may, il she Pleases, remain territory for
ever. The constitution imposes no obiigd-
tan upon congress to admit rev states into
ihe UmiOn-it l. mere matter OF diScretion-
they may do it IL cannot be doubted ,'then,
that congress might it III their opiuion public
interest reqnires IT, refuse TO admit Missouri as
state into the union. This Wonld he the legi-
.timaie exercise of their constitutional pOwe r
This they have doUe In their opinion the un-
qualified admission oI NliSsour1as a state. was
Inconsistent with the public interest They
therefore refuse IT,. y his they had rigl, 10
DO. But The house ofTepTescDtatIves, suppus-
ing that prOn certain conditions, ~ might be
admitted consistently with The pubic interest
proposed to do il. Tie WOst TO which this
cau amount is The TgjHSm cf admission. The
PLAN statement OF the case, then, j. this.
Congress has refused 20 Missouri nothing,
which il bad right TO demand They do not
lntend 10 force upon il as II state, any thing,
whitb II is unwilling 10 receive.
~ is usual. when persons have particular
point 90 carry, some have attempted 10 Iutiame
the passions Of the people, Ivy dcch'DnnG
against thus uICdsnrc as az ruCSO ChmCui urou
,heii hts ofah independent state, Az" attempt
at lnieign dictatiou," &c. &c.
The adHISri"u at "A new state is iniig nature
compact. 10 secEre tie important 1dVaDt7g-
rs Ot union with another political society.
the rev admitted state relinqnislicS tlie exer-
else of s0mc acts OF sovereignty. This has
beeD doue by every state which is party 10
the federal compact. Yet they do not on that
account CEASE to tie independent states. To
require state to relinquiSh the RIGHT Of slave
ry, Is 30 more F." foreign dictation, no more an
emcrOactntegt on its sovereignty aud fdeprn-
dtnce. than to require il to relinqulsh The
right OF ieVyiDg war. Both OF Them, If rcIi,-
pushed, are reiiuqnisbed by voluntary compact
w procure advantages esteeAed more inIpOr-