Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-01-01
THE MISSOURI QUESTION.
Mr.. Kings Speeches.
JAMAICA, q. ~ nov. %, 1919.

ca Dy inc late Injecting III tuC CltJ, VII tuS
business OF the Missouri bill, have the
honor to send to you the substance of
two speeches that | delivered in the
senate Of the United States, when this
bill was under its consideration.
AS my notes are imperfect, l may
have omitted some remarks made on
that occasion, and added others which
were not made, the communication,
however, contains the substance of my
observations, and present opinions on
this important subject--I am particular
ly anxious not to be misunderstood in
this case, never having thought myself
at liberty to encourage, or to assent to
any measure that would affect the secu-
rity of property in slaves, or tend to dis
turb the political adjustment which the
constitution has establis led respecting
them | desire to be considered as still
adhcring to this reserve; and that the
observations which send you, should
he construed TO refer, and to be confined,
60 the prohibition of slavery in the new
states to be formed beyond the original
limits of the United States-a prohibi-
ton which, in my judgment, congress
have the power to establish, and the
omission Of which may, as fear, be pro-
lnctive of most serious consequences.
With great respect and esteem, have
the honor to be, gentlemen, your most
pbedient servant,
RUFUS KING.
Messrs. John B. Coles and John I.
Irving, chairman and secretary of the
committee appointed by the late city
meeting, respecting the Missouri bill.
The dissertations follow:
The substance of two speeches on the
Missouri bill-delivered by Mr.. King,
in the senate of the United States,
during their last session.
The constitution declares "that con-
gress shall have power to dispose of, and
make all needful rules and regulations
respecting the territory and other pro-
perry of the United States" Under
this power, congress have passed laws
for the survey and sale of the public
lands, for the division of the same into
separate territories and have ordained
for each of them a constitution, plan
OF temporary government, whereby the
civil and political rights Of the inhabi-
tants are regulated, and the rights of
conscience and other natural rights are
protected.
The power to make all needful regu-
iations, Includes the power to determine
what regulations are needful: and if
regulation prohibiting slavery within any
territory of the United States be, as it
has been, deemed needful, congress pos
sess the power to make the same, and |
moreover to pass all laws necessary to
carry this power into execution.
The territory of Missouri is portion
Of Louisiana, which was purchased of
France, and belongs to the United States
liz full dominion; in the language of the
constitution, Missouri is their territory,
or property, and is subject, like other
territories of the United States, to the
regulations and temporary government
which has been, or shall be, prescribed
by congress. The clause of the consti-
tuition, which grants this power to con.
sress, is so comprehensive and unam-
biguous, and its purpose so manifest,
that commentary will not render the
power, or the object of its establish
ment, more explicit or plain.
The constitution further provides,
that "new states may be admitted by
congress into the union" AS this pow
er is conferred without limitation, the
time, terms, and circumstances of the
admission of new states are referred to
the discretion of congress-which may
admit new states, but are not obliged to
do so-ofr right no new state can demand
admission into the union, unless such de-
rnand be founded upon some previous
engagement with the United States.
When admitted by congress into the
union, whether by compact or otherwise,
the new state becomes entitled to the en-
Joyment of the same rights, and bound to
perform the like duties as the other states,1
and its citizens will be entitled to all pri- |
.yileges and immunities of citizens in the
several states. 4
The citizens of each state possess
rights, and owe duties that are peculiar
TO-, and arise out of the constitution and
laws of the several states. These rights
and duties differ from each other in the
different states, and among these differ
ences, none is so remarkable or impor-
tant as that which proceeds from the con-
stitution and laws of the several states
respecting slavery; the same be-
ing permitted in some states, and forbid