Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-01-20

enjoyed under HE principles of the con
sihunon, are of consequence 10 he rx-
tended 10 the "ceded territory" when n,
shall be admitted into the Union.
! The hrst of ihrse is that il shall be 4
srATE:-d sovereign: a member and an
equal member OF this confederacy 81
sovereisniies What is not implied in
Tins comprehensive term? II embraces
whatever can be conceived OF intlepen-
dencc and exclusive authority, il compre-
bends whatever can be imagined OF ma
jes,y and self coniroul, il excludes whai-
ever can be suggested of vassalage aud
subsection Aud thus IL is that within
their own limits, in the conduc, Of their
! own affairs, in the formation of their own
| systems OF government, in the regulation
OF their own municipal concerns each
state Is according to the principles ofthe fc-
deraf constitution, considered free, sove-
reign and independent. They know no
limit 10 their sovereignty, save The limi-
,aiions which they have themselves IN
posed upon their own authority by the
grant OF certain powers TO the general go
vernmeRi $50 that In becoming a STATE
a S0rereigR--t!Ie coded territory must.
according TO tie priucipies of tie federal
constitution, possess every power aud al
tribute OF sovereignty which all have mt
united III conferring upon the general 20
vernment. And is II neediu Ia insist here
that The power OF framing, modifying, a
Doilshlng, anu creating new, their state
constitutions, has never yet been surreu
dered by any member OF This confc,leracy 2
Is II necessary TO appealtO the constitution
or te acknowledged facts, TO prove that
We still retain The power of declaring
whether domestic slavery shall be admit
ted or prohibited i'll tie respective states =?
Whatever of liberaliy may BIZ INDUCED in
Tie construction Of This celebrated instru-
meni, which like The tabled genii of east
ern romance can be expanded into The
most terrifying and gigantic stature, or
coailned within the narrow compass of
li',ie casket-mhaiever may be the libe-
rainy OF his construction, even the most
!atliudInarian have not yet veniured 10 de-
ny these nnquesiionable attributes of the
sovereignties of The states.
Secondly: In becoming a member Of
'his confcderacy, and entering upon the
enloymcht OF those sovereign privileges
which are secured To il in common with
lie Other states, the ceded territory"
when II shall be admitted into the Upion.
is TO be FREE!! And What is this free
dom The right 10 make our own laws
our own form of governmemt:-The
right which was asserted by our revolu
ton, was maintained bv our arms and Sc
cured by the mariyrlom of our fathers
III this holy cause.
hlrdiy: The coded territory in b.
coming member OF this coniederacy
WI! be entitled 10 demand from Congress
lie guarantee OF a republican form Of
government And what is a republican
form " government? ii is the govern
ment OF THE PEOPLE. Ii is that form
OF government III which The pe0pie govern
themselves in which they are supposed
To have sense enough 10 kn0U their own
interest and virtue enough To consult il.
II Is that form of government which con
slders il hereical 10 assert " that they
must be preserved by their rulers from
their own worst enemies themselves!
Tile guarantee of such form of 20
vernment, the new stale will have right
to demand Of the Congress of the United
States. From that body il vii! have
right to demand The exeriiou of coptedcr-
aieu power 10 put down any nsurpation
winch shall attempt To force upon it d
constitution or laws against the vii, Of
me people. IL they be compelled Ia live
nnner a form OF government or inunjci-
pal regulations 10 which :hey are opposed.
right to demand redemption from their
ihraldom: they would have a right 10
demand the guarantee Of that first plin
cipte OF republicanisln, ihe right of self
government. Aud at whom is this qua
raniee 10 be demanded? Or THE UsuRP.
Err HIMSELF!
When the principles avowed by polii-
cians lead 10 consequences both alarm
ing and absurd, the common sense of
mankind cannot hesitate 10 reject their
sopi,lsms, 10 laugh al their self delusion,
Or to frown with Indignation upon their
audacity!
Among the arguments which have been
advanced by The memoriaisis from Bos-
ton, there is one which is distinguished
both by IFS novelty and its boldness.-
Thrown as nearly as il can be into syllo-
CYSTIC form, ii presents itself thus;
]. Congress have right TO regulate
commerce between The several states.
2. IL has therefore a right TO prohibit
sucb commerce.
g. The introduction Of slaves into Mis-.
souri, is a species Of internal commerce.;
and
4. Therefore Congress have tight 10
prohibit il.
The third proposition is true only in
one srus"; HE second, Is entirely untrue
Thus though il be admitted that the sell
ing OF slaves by Virginian or CaroIni-
an 10 a citizen of Missouri may be 4
species of internal commerce, yet il is
moi easy 10 imagine how tie migraioa
OF Virgiman 10 Missouri carrying with
hin his slaves. can be regarded as Com
mere between the States II is a traffic
in which the ingredients Of buyer, seller
and price are all wanting. But unless this
proportion be true in every sense, ii
will NOT Justify ihe conclusion drawn
from IL For lie rirIl tn nrnllihif Ire