Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1847-01-29

public is not responsible. 1t was planted
here while the country was colonies OF ureat
Britain and its existence or continuance
not a question for the government OF the Oni
ion-lt belongs exclusively TO each State 10Y
itself. The proposed presents no question o.
abolitionism. 1t is the antagonist OF ADOLF
tionism, denying any Constitutional power
in the Federal Government to NEEDLE IN any
way with the existence Of slavery within the
limits of a state. No free state in the Union
has ever held or asserted the right or author
ity of the Federal Government to abolish or
interfere with slavery in any state. But
while every free state has always m llntalned
and stands ready to maintain the Constitu-
ton and all its compromiseS-lt cannot be
supposed the people of the free slales wiz
approve the ~eXertion of the power OF the Fed-
erdl Government To extend indefinitely tne
institution of slavery over territory when Is
now free. With the abolition OF slavery the
Congress of the Union can have nothing 70
do; but it would be an equally wide DEPART
nre from the Constitution, and from every
sound principle upon which our Republican
Institutions are founded, that the Government
Of the United States should he instrumental
in extending slavery in any direction, or IN
converting free territory into slave territory.
TO avoid this result, it is necessary that
Congress shall provide by law against the
existence of slavery in any territory which
hereafter may become the territory Of the
United States, and which shall not be inclu-
ded within the limits of a state. Whenever
any territory shall have obtained a popcia-
ton sufficient for the formation of IA State
Government, and shall have formed a State
Constitution, and been ADMITTED into the Uni
on as a state, then the responsibility Of the
Federal Government for that territory and
people thus admitted as a state ceases
Then, say they who oppose the enactment OF
the NlImot p~roviso, why not let the ques-
ton alone, and leave it to the states and the
people themselves 10 determine whether the
state shall be a slave state or a free state 3
This inquiry and reasoning is specious and
plausible, but the simplest examination on the
principles OF common sense, will show that II
is unsound and false. If left alone, slaves
more or less will be carried to the new terri
tory, and if the country while it remains a
territory should be settled by a population
holding slaves, the new and additional ques-
ton of abolition is presented, and in order &c
get a free state, slavery must be abolished.-
This embarrassment in a new comnunIty,
without means to indemnify the owner
would be an obstacle almost insurmountabIe,
and the new state would be very far from be.
Ing free to choose between becoming a free
state or a slave state. On the contrary, il
the country, while 1t remains IA territory, shall
be settled by a free population, from which
slavery is eXcluded-then, whena State Go
vernment is formed, the state and the people
would be unembarrassed by any pecuniary
interests on questions Of vested right, and be
free to decide whether the state should be a
free state or a slave state. In order, then, to
secure this freedom of choice TO the state and
to the people, slavery must be excluded from
the country while it shall be a territory, and
until it shall become a state. Bat will not
pursue the subject now. 1t must be obvious
to all, as | think il will be acknowledged by
all, that the character of the population in The
territory will determine the character of the
state, when that territory shall be erected in
to a state. Ii the territory has a slave popu-
lation of only one-fourth or one-fitth of the
whole number, it will be a slave state. liza
free population while a territory, it will be a
free state. Exclude slavery from all terrific
ry not within the limits Of a state, and | am
willing the territory shall determine for it.
/ self, when it becomes a state, what Shall be
? its character. Many of the states in which
slavery existed when the Union was formed,
nave dUOllSltu inc lnSlllutiOn' NO IHSldNcG
Of any of the states from which slavery has
r been excluded, can be found where the state
or the people have determined to introduce
= slavery. If Congress shall refuse at this
session 10 make this free principle a law, the
I arms of the kepublic will conquer free terri
, tory, upon which slavery will be planted.
5 desire the adoption Of the free principle, be-
5 cause | believe it to be just to The free states
| Just to the white men who fight our battles,
and constitute the strength Of the country in
5 peace or war, because | believe it to be con-
S sisteGt with the principles Of Or government,
j and because | believe il will tend to improve
= the condition and character of labor in the
e whole country; and who will deny that in a
Republic it should be one Of the chief object,
5 Of Government TO elevate aud dignity the
S condition and character of labor! Unless
= this measure shall be brought before the
House by a Committee, or in some oIhe.
e way, | shall continue to urge the bill | pro
: posed yesterday, upon the attention Of the
t House.