The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-09-14

iect which no party will be able to wink
out of sight He himself-and ne does
not speak his own sentiments merely-re-
CARDS it as vital and threatening question,
in its bearings upon party politics. The
people generally, throughout the country,
have come to look upon it as essentially
affecting the higher interests of the coun-
try, if not the permanency of the Union IT.
SELF We copy therefore below, that por-
ton of Mr.. BIS letter which relates to the
extension OF slavery in the United States,
through the acquisition of new territory
1t will be seen that he advocates the adop-
ton of the Missouri compromise in regard
to any new territory which may be acqnI-
red.
After remarking that the approaching
State election in Pennsylvania involves, IN
his opinion, the most important conse-
quences for the Democracy OF the Union,
and upon the result of 1t may depend the
ascendency of the Democracy OF the Un-
ion for years to come-Mr Buchanan says
"The question of Slavery, in one OF Its
ancient aspects, has been recently revived
and threatens to convulse the country.
The Democratic party of the Union ought
10 prepare themselves IN time Tor the aP-
proaching storm. Their best security, In
the hour of danger, is to cling fast TO their
time onored principles. A sacred re
gard for the Federal Constitution, and for
the reserved rights of the States, is the i'm
movable basis on which the party can a.
lone safely rest. This has saved us from
the inroads Of Abolition. Northern Dem
ocrats are not expected to approve Slavery
in the abstract; but they owe it to them
selves, as they value the Union, and all the
political blessings which beautifully flow
from it, to abide by the compromises of
the Constitution, and leave the question,
where that instrument has left it, TO the
States wherein Slavery exists. Our ia
theirs have made this agreement with their
brethren Of the South; and it is not for
the descendants of either party, in the
present generation, to cancel this solemn
compact The Abolitionists, by their ef-
forts to annul it have arrested the natural
progress of Emancipation, and done great
injury to the slaves themselves.
"Afier Louisiana was acquired from
France by Mr.. Jefferson, and when the
State of Missouri, which constituted part
of it, was about to be admitted into the
Union, the Missouri question arose, and
in its progress threatened dissolution Of
the Union.-This was settled by the men
of the last generation, as other important
and dangerous questions have been settled,
in spirit of mutual concession. Under
the Missouri compromise, slavery was for
ever prohibited north of 36deg. 80 min. !;
and south of this parallel the question was
left TO be decided by the people. Con-
gress, in the admission of Texas, following
in the footsteps Of their predecessors, ad-
opted the same rule; and, in my opinion,
the harmony ofthe States. and even the Sc
curity ofthe Union itself, require that the
line of the Missouri compromise should
be extended 10 any new territory which
we may acquire from Mexico.
81 should entertain the same opinion,
even if it were certain that this would be-
come serious practical question; but
that it cannever be thus considered must be
evident TO all who have attentively exam
ined the subject.
Neither the soil, the climate, nor the
productions, Of that portion Of California
south of SO deg. 80 min. is adapted to
slave labor: and, beside, every facility
would be there afforded to the slave to es-
cape from his master. Such property
would be utterly insecure in any part OF
California. II is morally impossible, there
fore, that majority of the emigrants to
that portion of the territory south Of SO deg
40 min. which will be chiefly composed
of our fellow citizens from the Eastern,
Middle and Western States, will ever re-
establish slavery within its limits. In re-
gard TO New Mexico, east of the Rio
Grande, the question has been already set
tied by the admission of Texas into the
Union.
"Should we acquire territory beyond the
Rio Grande, and east of the Rocky Noun
tains, it is still more improbable that ma
jority of the people of that region would
consent TO re-establish slavery. They are
themselves, in large proportion, color
ed population; and among them the ne
gro does not socially belong to a colore
race.
1.-The question is, therefore, not one of
practical importance. Its agitation. how
ever honestly intended, can produce no
effect but to ALLEVIATE the people of differ
ent portions of the Union from each other;
to excite sectional divisions and I-alousies;
and to distract and possibly DESTROY the
Democratic party, on the ascendency of
whose principles and measures depends,
as firmly believe, the success ofour grand
experiment ofselfgovernment'- Travel
Ter.
No MORE TERHIroRr.-The Richmond
Wing concludes an earnest article upon the
subject of the Wilmot Proviso, and the dan
ger II threatens TO The stability OF the Union.
with this admonition:
sIf q forever lovar IF 81.