Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-12-14


In view of the high and responsible duties
which we owe to ourselves and to mankind,
trust you may be able at your present session,
to approach the adjustment Of the only domestic
question which seriously threatens, or probably
ever can threaten to disturb the harmony and
successful operation Of our system.
The immensely valuable possessions of New
Mexico and California are already inhabited by
considerable population. Attracted by their
great fertility, their mineral wealth, their COM
mercial advantages, and the salubrty Of their
cmate emigrants from the older States, in
great numbers, are already preparing to seek
new homes in these inviting regions.
Shall the dissimilarity of the domestic institu-
tons in the different States prevent us from pro-
vdng for them suitable Governments These
institutions existed at the adoption Of the Consti
tuition, but the obstacles which they nterposed
were overcome by the spirit OF compromise which
is now invoked. In conflict Of opinions or of
interests real or imaginary between different
sections of our country, neither can justly de-
mand all which it might liesre to obtain. Each,
in the true spirit Of our institutions, should con-
cede something TO the other.
Our gallant forces in the Mexican war, by
whose patriotism and unparalleled deeds of arms
we obtained these possessions as an indemnity
for our Just demands against Mexico were com.
posed of citizens who belonged to no one State
or section of the UHon. They we're men from
slaveholding and non slaveholding States, from
the North aud the South, the East aud the West.
They were all companions in arms and fellow
citizens Of the same common country, engaged
in the same common cause. When prosecuting
that war they were brethren and friends, and
shared alike with each other, common tolls, dan
gers and suf1rings. Now, when their work is
ended when peace is restored, and they return
again to their homes, put off the habiments of
war, take their places in society, and resume
their pursuits in civil life, surely spirit of har-
mony and concession, and of equal regard for
the rights of all and of all sections of the Union
ought to prevail in providing governments for
the acquired territorles-the fruits of their com
mon service, The whole people of the United
States and of every State contributed to defray
the expenses of that war; and it would not be
just for any one section to exclude another from
all participation in the acquired territory. This
would not be in consonance with the just system
Of government which the trainers Of the consti-
tuition adopted.
The question is believed to be rather abstract
than practical, whether slavery ever can or
would exist i'll any portion of the acquired ter
ritory, even if it were left to the option of the
Slavehodng States themselves. From the ma
turc of the climate and productions, in much the
larger portion of it, it is certain that it could
never exist and in the remainder the probabiIi-
ties are it would not. But however this may be,
the question, involving as it does, principle of
equality of rights of the separate and several
States, as equal co-partners in the confederacy
should not be disregarded
In organizing governments over these terrific
ries, no duty imposed on Congress by the Con-
stitution requires that they should legislate OH
the subject of slavery, while their power to do
SO is not only seriously questioned, but denied
by many of the soundest expounders of that in
strumcnt. Whether Congress shall legislate or
not, the people of the acquired territories, when
assembled in Convention to form State Constitu
tons, will possess the sole and exclusive power
to determine for themselves whether slavery
shall or shall not exist within their limits. If
Congress shall abstain from interfering with the
question, the people OF these territories will be
left free to ad ust it as they may think proper,
when they apply for admission as States into the
Union. No enactment of Congress could re-
strain the people of any of the sovereign States
of the Union, old or new, north or south, slave.
holding or non acknowledging, from determining
the character of their own domestic institutions
as they may deem wise and proper. Any and
all ofthe States possess this right, and Congress
cannot deprive them Of it. The people of Geor-
gia might, if they chose, so alter their Constitu-
ton as to abolish slavery within its limits; and
stltutlon as to admit slavery within its limits.
Both States would possess the right; though, all
know, it is not probable that either would exert
it.
1t is fortunate for the peace and harmony of
the Union that this question is in its nature tenn
porary, and can only continue for the brief Pc
Rod which will intervene before California and
New Mexico may be admitted as States into
the Union. From the tide of population now
flowing into them, it is highly probable that this
will soon occur
Considering the several States and the citi.
zens Of the several States as equals, and entitled
to equal rights under the constitution, if this
were an original question, it might well be in.
sisted on that The principle of non interference is
the true doctrine, and that Congress could not in
the absence OF any express grant of power, in
terfere with their relative right. Upon great
emergency, however, and under menacing dan
gers to the Union, the Missouri compromise line
in respect to slavery, was adopted. The same
line was extended farther west in the acquisition
of Texas.
After an acquiescence of neatly thirty years
in the principle of compromise recognized and
established by these acts, and to avoid the dan
ger to the Union which might follow if it were
now disregarded, have heretofore expressed
the opinion that the line of compromise should
be extended on the parallel of thirty six degrees
thirty minutes from the Western boundary of
Texas, where it now terminates, to the Pacific
ocean. This Is the middle ground of comprom-
Use, upon which the different sections of the
Union may meet as they have heretofore met
If this is done, it Is confidently believed large
majority of the people of every section of the
country, however widely their abstract opinions
on the subject Of slavery may differ, would
chcerfully and patrioticully acquesce IN 1t, and
harmony would again fill our borders
Tho restriction north of the line was only
yielded to in the case Of Missouri and Texas up
on principle of compromise, made necessary
for the sake ofpreservlng the harmony, and pos
sibly the existence OF the Union.
Ii was upon these considerations that at the
close of your last session, gave my sanction to
the principle Of the Missouri compromise line,
by approving and signing the bill to establish
"the Territorial government of Oregon" From
a sincere desire to preserve the harmony oil the
Union, and in Difference for the acts OF my pre-
decessors, felt constrained to yield my acqules-
cence 10 the extent to which they had gone in
compromising this delicate and dangerous ques-
ton. But if Congress shall now reverse the de-
cison by which the Missouri compromise was
effected, and shall propose TO extend the restrc-
ton over the whole territory, south as well as
north of the parallel of thirty.six degrees thirty
minutes it will cease TO be compromise, and
must be regarded as an original question.
Ii Congress, instead of observing the course