Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-05-06


any territory any other property belonging the Ur
States with view promote the interests Of any porc
the people OF the United Sates and thereby to preud
exclude the rights OF other citizens of the United States/
foundation OF system and OF every system Of free GOV
ment Is equality Of rights This distinction, whether uu
alse real or imaginary, has nothing to do with the quest
Inc true question Is not what the institutions exD
the territory at the time Of its acquisition, but what powers
Government Of the United STAGES exercise in regard
aer u Is acquired The title TO the territory in the
ted States, and they dispose of it in the same manner
under the rules and regulations that they can dispose
other property belonging 10 The United States. The only
silimae object for which territory can be acquired Is tie
nation OF States. We capno according 10 the Or
sons OF The constitution or the nature and genius OF
tutons, hold provinces The colonial system was ne
in the contemplation of the famers OF the constitution s
not only not contained in any of its provisions but at
with all its Fundamental principles Such system wo
tend with inevitable certainty to vast and
OF Executive power, and might in the end oyershadow
tights and Independence of the States, and subyert the G
eminent and establish despotsm in lis stead Colonial
ganizaion would live and and have lis being in Exc
tive power and patronage, and would end in the desruc
OF liberty am not ignorant that doctrine different from
one for which am conendng has been asserted in an im
ing form, and in sections of the Union 10 consider
extent. Great and intelligent communities speaking s3e
y through their assembled representatives have asserted
power 10 be in Congress- and called for its exercise to exc
by fundamental law, slaves property from all territory
DC hereafter acquired shall not attempt 10 investigate
SION have doubt they sincere in the entertail,
OF these views. Somebody has said that when man Isl
ermned to believe the very absurdty Of the doctrine con
him IN the faith. leave them TO their reflections and app
TO the law and the testimony consult the constitution all
earessly assert that such doctrine has no support either
the provisions spirit of that instrument or In The more Il
during and eternal principles Of equality and justice wa
the advocates OF this doctrine in advance that they are cone
ing tor principles destructive of the constitution; destruc
of the rights Of the Southern States destructive of eoua
he nff ntad AZ.
would not survive the establishment of such doctrine an ho
have listened with apprehension not unmixed with iu |
nation, at the GOODNESS and compacency with which gen
men from the free States speak Of the institution OF slavery
II exists under the guarantees Of the constitution in some
the States OF this Union After felicitang themselves
more than Pharsaical righteousness that they ARE not
other men, they in spirit of amazing condescenson al
kindness, charilaby they will not interfere
slavery as now exists Was there ever more surpass
impudence to accept the charitable donation
reect the proered boon. Sir the people Of the slavehod
States do not hold their rights by tenure so a and up
tam as the VIII, the forbeaance the CONCESSIONS or
eratuty OF majority Congress They derive them from
higher and purer They derive them from the cons
tuton and, highly they yenerate that instrument when
ceases TO ensure to them the free and full enjoyment Of the
rights, they will longer consider il worth preservir
These, sir are of my views in regard to the rrncp
involved in the three first resolutions Before took my
IN the Senate at the present session, the honorable
from New York (Mr DrcKrSsos) had introduced series
the principles involved in those which, at later day vi
the honor of submitting TO the Senate Anxious as far
sense Of poprety and the paramount Obligations of duty o
enable me to do So to avoid the Introduction OF topics WI
might subject me to the nputaon Of being Influenced BY
honai views and local considerations, | examined the
solutions brought forward by that honorable Senator "
great care, and with sincere desire, if could according
the dictates OF my best judgments upon the principles Of
and the rights of the people, to agree with hi
After the thorough examination OF his resolutions
10 do 50. therefore brought forward the fourth resod
which is exactly antagonsca to the resolution Of the Sd
from New York. His resolution is in these words =
Jtsso1ed, That in organizing Territorial Government
territory belonging 10 the United States the principles OF
government upon which iedcratye system rests viii
best promoted, the true spirit aud meaning the consttu
be Observed and the coniedeaey strengthened BY leaving
questions concerning the domestic policy therein TO Leg
lures chosen By the people thereof
Now although this resolution does not assert the power
The Government in positive TERMS il is evidently intended
convey The idea that the Territorial Legislature, chosen
The people, are and Of right ought to be the exclusive id
Of all questions Of policy arising in the territory The III
rectness Of this position deny to the whole extent T
people Of territory belonging the United States possess
other rights Than those which belong TO all unorganized
nunes or bodies Of men, which flow from the laws of "
ue, except those which they derive from the United Stat
and unless II be shown that the constitution auhOrl
Congress impose limitations and restrictions upon them
regard to slavery they cannot derive that power from ca
sress Bot dono consider il necessary discuss this coz
hon the still graver whether Congress has powet
establish Territorial Governments al all Although adlA
this was new question presented for the first time, sho
be at loss from what particular clause provision
cipe Of the constitution TO dcduce it. And in fleeing up
this subject when these resolutions brought forward
stated TO an honorable friend me- whose friendly init
course and confidence it is my good fortune enjoy my o
loubts or convictions upon this subject but said would
iistutb that question when there many topics OF
alton and disagreement among the people of the Unii
States, who ought to be bound together by the ndsqu
les Of aernaI feeling and good fellowship; but would led
to the uniform unbokcn practice Of the Government for q
years. There am willing TO leave il. Stare decisis
But to return TO the people Of Territory. They are
wo descriptions those who inhabt, upon the tel
ory at the time il is acquired and those who migrate
move to i afterwards. The rights Of the former de
" treaty stipulation The latter carry with them rights
;zens Of the United States far the possession and
oyment Of property concerned and such political pnsih
md immunlies Congress may confer upon them by the
them TO form temporary Government, con6n
bat act Of course within the limits Of the constitution.
he idea that the people residing upon territory acquired by
nted States either by treaty conquest to be ent
the enjoyment of apy right, privilege, immunity to VIII
ne citizens Of the United States, any Of them, who NJ
emove TO such territory after becomes attached TO the
ed States, not entitled is only repugnan ev4
Principle and feeling OF American liberty and equality, butt
the very teeth and jaws Of the constitution. can read
imagine, Mr. President, why this newborn zeal IN favor
he rights OF the people Of Territory TO exclude slaves p
ery is exhibited with much erceness and pernacIy
his particular juncure in history. Every body kno
hat territory about to be acquired from Mexico where
said, slavery docs not exist Butts that territory to be 81
rned by Mexican law after il becomes the property Of
United States and passes under the jurisdiction Of our law
No in his contend for this When it becon
American territory, II win be governed by American lau
ind American citizens be entitled 10 the enjoyment
qual rights upon il, else liberty and equality under II
but phantoms and the guarantees Of the constui