The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-11-27
PslIsseaI Hzeveu.e.,..

q Political uevemesss.
The. National Reformers Of New York, ad-
dressed Judge VILLAS JAY, "a worthy son Of
the patriot Of that name Of the Revolution
on tie subject Of the Land Reform. He declin-
ed answering them. In doing so, he declares
his pain and modification at the very narrow
bounds within which, judging from their circular
and pledges, body Of men styling themselves,
"Ths National Reform Association" have
thought proper to confine their efforts.
We have given the opinions or resolutions of
Edgefeld, Beaufort, Laurens, Barnwell, Green
vile, Darlington, and Chesterfield Districts, of
South Carolina, on national affairs, and we add
to the list that Of Chester. She belongs to the
come homeys-that is, she wants Southern Sena-
tors and Representatives to leave Congress the
moment the Wilmot Proviso passes. Hear her:
Whereas by the Wilmot Proviso direct at
| tempt at an invasion Of the constitutional and
natural rights of the slaveholding citizens of
our Republic has been in CO interpolation in certain
parts Of the Union, and a most insulting system
Of dictation has emanated from certain quarters
Of this Confederacy, pointing out TO the slave
holding citizens course Of conduct in regard
|
a system of false philanthropy In the minds Of
the ignorant and uniformed Is to the manner
in which this country is 10 bs guided in her
course as 10 the policy to be observed and pur-
sued in the territories which may be added TO
our Union. And whereas, deeming ourselves
competent judges Of what our rights are, and be-
lieving ourselves sufficiently informed as to the
morality and philanthropy necessary to be OBJ
served and pursued by US; and considering any
L Ia. go
country with regard TO our slave property as
oresunptuous, meddlesome, unlawful, and I'M
constitutional; be IL therefore
| Resolred, That we thoroughly condemn the
| recent attempts made in the Congress Of this
| Republic, to pass into a law restriction upon
the rights Of the shareholders Of the Union as
TO any territory which may be hereafter acquired
or added TO this Confederacy.
ResSiued, That we conceive it to be the duty
first, TO contend with all their energies TO defeat
amy attempt that NAV be made similar 10, or iden-
tical with, the 'Wimot Proyiso;' and that,
should the majority Of Congress be so unwise
as 10 pass such a law, after the prctestations Of
the Southern members against such measure,
| II is the decided opinion Of this meeting that cur
members Of Congress should forthwith vacate
their seats In Congress, or take such other steps
| in connection with the members frem the other
vehOlding States, as may fully sustain the
| rights Of the slaveholding States.
ResGlped, That we, as portion OF the South
srn people, are determined not to submit to any
interference by Congress with our domestic in
situations, let the consequences be what they
may-eyen If the dissolution Of the Union
should be the result.
The louisville Journal pronounces the proPo-
sitiOn Of the perpetualists as regards any yio-
4
lence ''the supreme of ridiculous folly" and
the Richmond Wkig concurs with 1t, Hear the
latter Journal:
We have never doubted, and we do not doubt,
that on the subject of slavery, in its relations 10
the States in which that institution exists, the
Northern Wings are just sound as the North
ern Locofocos. Both parties In those States, in
every authentic exposition of their respective
opinions, have expressly admitted that they
/ have no right, under the constitution, to inter-
| fere in any manner with that institution, and
with equal emphasis they disclsim both the Pur-
/ pose and the desire SO 10 interfere. The VIII
mot Provso, our readers are aware, which,
in itsSlf eoRsidSreti. is a harmless abstraction
looks 10 other purposes. Il does not propose 10
abolish slavery where il exisia, but TO prohibit
Its introduction where 1t does not exist. IL is
not intended TO operate upon territory nou be-
longing TO the United States, but upon territory
! hereafter TO be acquired. Enacted by one Con-
| gresss Il may be repealed by another; or, even
! if il should never he repealed, az, IL once enac
| ted, il never will be, nstr StGfes formed out Of
the territory 10 be acquired, may, if they think
proper, in the formation Of their respective con-
situations, before or after their admission into
the Union, disregard il, and defy any power on
earth to enforce it--as the several States formed
out of the Northwestern territory might origin
| ally, he'd they deemed il expedient, have esiab-
| lished slavery within their respective limits, in
/ defiance of the Ordinance Of 1887, or may now
/ do so, as may every other non-slavehoding
State ia the Union, If they think Proper-Pre-
ci,ely as the slaveholoiDg States may abolish
that Institution whenever publh; opinion shall
become ripe for suca a change.
The American Statesman, (DomOcaiic) holds
forth as follows
All Wrong ---He not Ipeccivedi
"Ths object Of the Wilmo. Proyiso Is to pre-
vent the introduction Of the Institution Of slave
| ~ into any State that may, in future, be brought
| into the present confederation. In other words,
IL designs that Oregon, California; Mexico, &c,
shall, IL they ever become distinct and sovereign
parts Of this republic, be compelled 10 accept Of
! their incorporation under certain conditions
conditions that have never been imposed upon
other States, and conditions which, however
good or useful, the Constitution has given Us no
! right to imPOse."-PhiI. Spirit 81 the Timss.
! We regret to see in a sheet so well conducted
I as the Spirit Of the Times such paPable mis-
/ representation Of the true object Of the sup
/ porters of the principle of the Wilmot Proviso.
The friends Of Freedom do not seek to interfere
with the institution Of slavery in the States now
| existing nor do they seek 20 have anything to
do with the question Of slavery in States here
| after to De formed out of any territory we may
acquire from Mexico. The object Of the advo-
| Gates Of Free Labor is simply TO prevent the
spread Of slavery in future acquisitions Of terri
| tory whsle the sovereignty of that territory is
vested in Congress. When any portion Of II
becomes a State, the sovereignty is no longer in
the General Government, but in the people Of
the State. We simply wish to declare that
should territory bc acquired the will Of the peo-
pie inh abiting il, the question of slavery shall
\ be respected and that an institution odious to
the minds Of Freemen, and condemned by the
civilized world, shall not be planted where il ex-
lists not, and among people who have abolish
ell il.
Is this abolifionism7 Is this an interference
with the rights of the people Of the Slave States,
guaranteed TO them by the Constitution No!
il is neither. SO soon as a State is admitted
into the Union that moment it has the power to
establish or abolish negro slavery, We may re-
greet that the exercise Of so important an act Of
sovereignty as that of making slaves Of portion
Of mankind, should not have been delegated TO
the general government; yet we believe that a
fair construction Of the constitution will not al
low of any interference with slavery in the
| States. 3u- i --if
We are told that the Proviso is a useless mea-
slre. that its discussion can do no good, that II
is fire-brand thrown into the Democratic party
Al L.