Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1845-1851, 1848-12-26
The Presidents McssuUe.

We nre little amused by the VARIETY OF editorial
comment upon tins document. Some journals pro-
nounce II the nblest message of national records.
Others regard i, silly cn1rt of u weak mind 9th
ers omit the Presidents argument pom the /" Ameri
can y STEM, as nothing new. We do not always
regard he Inst Presidential message the best. Nor
do we attempt Ia stutfy President because do
not agree with him IN all things Nrther do We take
Tor granted that, because argument IN PreSiden
III message muy be too much or too little for our own
opinions, 1t will not be interesting To the public The
message Is important aud interesting document IN
dcaiing great ability, and will be respectfully con-
sidered by all intelligent minds. Those who attempt
to ridiculc 1t, merely stuliify themselves.
As every render will perceive. it exhibits iavora-
BILE account of our finances, of the national prosperity
and prospects; and it exhibits contrast between our
own and other countries, IN which every American
should rejoice, both proudly and thankfully. But the
Presidents views upon national banks, protective
tariffs the veto power, and the extension of slavery
To the territories worthy of serious consideration.
as those of man whose opportunities have enabled
him 10 give enlightened opinion and intelligent
readers Will admit that he has treated each OF these
subjects with ability, whether they agree with him or
not To his opinions upon the extension OF slavery,
we do not subscribe. The whole Southern doctrine
upon this subject is erroneous. and without warrant
IN the constitution, the example of the convention
which devised. and the generation which adopted that
instrument. The President refers 10 the compromises
OF the constitution and advises the extension Of these
oi the slave States and he advises this. necessary
to the perpe,uation of the Federal Union. We admit
neither the premises nor the conclusions. The con-
stuion contains compromises Tor the extension OF
slavery, aud those who made and adopted contempa-
ted such extension The revolutionary generation
found slavery In certain portions OF the Union aud
after hard and protracted struggle between abolition
and sSisntatioR, agreed 10 leave II they found It,
n domestic right of the States then existing, and in
kentucky, then n separate State, though not MEM
Der of the confederacy. but expected to enter the
| Union. But they invested Congress under the new
constitution, with ample power 10 prevent the extern
sion of slavery and through their representatives III
the Continental Congress. they abolished and forever
prohibited slavery in all the territory then belonging
to the Union 4 IL the additions To American slavery
since 17e9 have been made through Congressional
permission, and constitutional right and while
! this PERMISSION has been expressly granted by Con-
gress. 10 Mississippi Alabama. Florida, Louisiana
Texas, Arkansas Missouri and Tennessee, 1t has been
expressly withheld from Ohio Indiana, Illinois, Mich
gan Wisconsin and Iowa. We may add thnt the
constitution gives TO Congress the penary power to
prohibit all slave trade, foreign and domestic which
power 1t exercised over both foreign and domestic
slave trade in Louisiana. in 1904 and all foreign
slave trade IN loti5. Therefore totally deny any
constitutional right OF existing slave States, old or
new, to carry slavery their borders. We say
nothing at present about Free Soil, y" w iImot Pro-
vlso,' or Missouri Compromise" Congress aud
VIII nave enough 10 say on eacil
Our only object Is 10 protest against the Presidents
constitutional law for the alleged rights Of the South
We deny the right of any State, slave free, TO
~ any of lis institutions beyond its limits, into
national territory, without Congressional permission.
And If the constitutional provisions against slavery be
not sufficient sustain doctrine, though urge
that they ample, will plant it upon the ex-
pressed Congressional power - 10 make all needful
rules and regulations for the government OF the terri
tory belonging to the Union.
To the Presidents impelled apprehensions about a
dissolution of the Union, very few will subscribe.
The whole number of shareholders in the Union Is
less than 300,, and with their families. less than
1000 600 These a small portion of the 100000
OF whites IN the slave States, and the 5000 900 not
interested In slavery will not incur the burdens and
dangers of separate confederacy, for the sole benefit
of 100000 We regard the question of dissolution
as we do the old question of the eartis collision with
n comet. The chances thousand millions to one
against such occurrence, and If II should happen, the
fiery body would have the worst OF IT. and be glad 10
get off again.
Dismlssing this point, proceed to the " Ameri-
can SYSTEM or the policy which comDrehends ma
Ional bank, protective tariff, internal improvements
by the Federal Government md the distribution OF
the proceeds of the public lands among the States.
At time when the European monarchics, founded up
on this very system of partial legislation IN favor OF
monarchy are tumbng IN ruins, after having long
and grievously oppressed the people, the ruin being
the necessary result of the system. the remarks of the
President upon it quite applicable, and will be re-
specuy regarded IN Europe, if they not al home.
The enancpated masses of France and Germany, and
the struggling and still ensaved masses of the British
empire, the of their suffering in aris-
ocracy that creation of partial legislation and they
Will commend our wisdom and energy In successfully
resisting the mischief 1t does exist extent
among us, in the institution Of slavery. But while
we leave 1t where II Is, To- State policy, find in the
history of Europe, and of our country and in the
Presidents views conclusive arguments against the
extension of this monopoly, the creation of equally
mischlevous monopoes in the really European, but
mlscalled AMERICAN systematic. Ledger.
CANDIDATE FOR GovERNoR.-In the excitement of
the Presidential campaign, every body forgot that we