The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-12-09

trust you mhy ne hDe NJ your preseht SITS
sion, 10 approach the adjustment of the only
domestic question which seriously threatens,
pr probably ever Gun threaten, TO disturb the
harmony and successful operation Of our
system.
The immensely valuable possessions of
New Mexico mud California are already III
habited by II considerable population. At-1
tracred 10y their great fertility, lhuir grent min
eml wealth, their commercial advantages,
and the snlubriry Of the clmnte, emigrants
from the older States, in great numbers. nre
already preparing 10 seek new homes IN these
inviting regions.
Shnll the dissiminrily of the domestic in
in the different Suites prevent uh
from providing for them suitable govern
menls? These institutions existed NJ tile nd
onion of tie Constitution, but the obstacles
which they iterposed were overcome ny
that spirit ofcompromise which ID now IN
voked. In n conflict Of opinions or OF lh'er-
csts, real or imaginary, between different
sections ofour country, neither can justly tie
mnnd all which it might desire 10 ohnin.-
Each ia the true spirit of our institutions,
should concede something to the other
Our gnllunt forces in the Mexican war, ny
whose patriotism aud unparalleled deeds OF
arms we Obtained these possessions as M IN
demnity for our just demands against MeN',
60, were composed OF citizens VINO ne'ohSe"
to no one State or section of our unIon.-
They were men from slaveholing aud non-
slaveholdmg States, from the North and. The
South. from the Enst and the West. lhey
were all companous-iu-nrms aud ielIoW-cIh'
Zens orIhe same common country, engaged
in the same common cause. When prosecut-
ing that war, they we're brethren and friends,
and shared nike with each other common
tolls dangers aud sufferings. Now, when
their work is ended, when pence is restored,
and they return again to their homes, put OF
the hphiimenis of war,take their places III So
cieIy, aud resume their pursuits III clNil me-
surely spirit of harmony and concession, O.
of equal regard for the rights Of all aud OF all
sections of the Union ought 10 prevail IN pro-
vding governments for the acquired terrific
ries--!he fruits of their common SERVICE
The whole people ofthe United Suites and
ofeverv State contributed to detrny the ex-
penses of TINT war; and il would not be Just
for any one section 10 exclude another from
ali participation in the acquired ierrltniy.-
| This would not he in consonnnce with the
| lust system of government which The tTnmers
Of The constitution adopted,
! Tie question is believed to be rather nb
siracI hnn practical, whether slavery ever
ran or would exist IN any portion OF the nc
uuired territory, even ifit were left 10 the OPP
, llOl VI lllt SiuNtuO'lHS h7Nh'So '''SlNN''NF'
From tile nature Of the climate and produc-
TONS in much the larger portion oft, it is
certain il could never exist; aud in the re-
mninder the probabilities nre it would not
! But however this may he, the question, in
volvng, us it does, principle OF equality Of
rights Of the separate and several States, ns
eGuul co.partners in the conlcderncy should
not he disreEarded.
In organizing governments over these Ter
rilories. no duIy Imposed on Congress by The
Constitution requires ihat they should leEis
late on the subject of slavery, willie :hcir
power to do so is not only seriously question
ed, but denied by many of the soundesl ex
FOUNDERS of That instrument. Whether Con
grcss shall legisnte or not tie people OF the
acquired Territories, when assembled ~
convention TO form State Constitutions, vii
possess The sole aud exclusive power 10 de.
! termiue for themselves whether slavery shall
or shall not exist within their limits. II Con-
grcSs shall abstain from interfering with The
question, the people Of these Territories will
I've left fee 10 adjust it ms they may think prop
err, when they apply for admission as states
! INFO the Union. No enactment of Congress
could restrain the people of my ofIhe sever
eign States ofthe Union, old or new. north oil
south, sluveholding or Notwithstanding
! from determining the character OF their own
domestic institutions rs they may deem wise
and proper. Any and all the States possess
! this right, and Congress cannot deprive then
it. The people ofGeorgin might, IL they
chose, so alter their constitution as Il
abolish slavery within its limits; ana the PEG
pie Of Vermont might so alter their conslItu'
ton us to admit slavery within its limits
Both States would possess the right; though
all know, 1t is not probable that other would
exert it. .. ...-.....-
II is fortunate for the pence and harmony
of the Union that this question is in It's IA
ture temporary, and can only continue toi
the brief period 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, il is high
| iy probable that this will soon occur.
Considering the several States aud the cit
liens of the several states rs eqanls, aud emit,
| tied 10 equal rights under the constitution, u
this were an original question, it might wei
he insisted upon thnt the principle of non-ln-
reference is the true doctrine, and that Con
gress could not, in the absence ofany express
grant of power, interfere with their relative
right. Upon great emergency, however
and under mcnacing dangers 10 the Union
the Missouri compromise line III regard &c
slavery was adopted The snme line was
extended farther west in the acquisition of
Texas.
After an acquiescence of nearly thirty
years in the principle of compromise recog
nized and established by these acts, aud TO a
void the danger TO the Union which nigh
follow ifit were now disregarded, have
heretofore expressed the opinion That tln
line of compromise shonhi TIC extended on
the parallel OF thirty-six degrees thirty min
u,es from the western boundary OF Iexns
where il now terminates, to the Pacific ocean
This is III, middle ground of compromise
upon which tile different sections ofthe I'm
| ion NAV meet, MS they hive heretofore met