Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-08-23
From the Plain Dealer,
Gen. Cass- Slavery in Territories.

in the public mind in re-
lalion to the powers of the General Gov
ernment over the vexed question Of slavery.
This is more particularly the case in re-
lalion TO tho power Of Congress over the
matter in the Territories. The pulication
Of the able letter of Gen. CAss 10 Mr. MICH
OLSON, and the still more recent opinion
of Judge MCLEAN, ofthe Supreme Court,
coincding fully with the views expressed
by Gen. Cass have done much 10 dispel !
the fog with which the subject has been
surrounded. am glad that you have pub
lished those docunents,an hope. sir, that
they will be read ,attentively readily every
individual who wishes to get at the facts in
the case: who wishes to form correct o.
pinion IN relation 10 the true merits of
question which bids fair 10 take the prece-
dencc of all others in the present contest
Many who have written upon the subject,
have either wil(ully perverted the views OF
Gen. Cass, or are grossly ignorant OF his
sentiments. There seems to be three sides
10 this question.
lst:. That taken by the ultra politicians
Of the South. They contend that mas
much as the independence of these States
was achieved, and the government estab-
lished, b. the common blood, suffering and
treasure Of all the States, that they have
tight, under the compact, to move with
their property (slaves) TO any Of the Terri.
+ tories.
I'd: That the wings and abolHiohists of
the North contend that Congress has full
power over the subject, not only in the
District Of Columbia but in the Territories.
81: The democratic party, with Gen
CAss at the head, hold 10 the principle thai
Congress, under the Constitution. bus nc
power 10 institute slavery, and, as natu
raj consequence,no power to abolish where
il exists. The power to abrogate implie:
the power to institute. The relation O
master and slave does not exist by the law
of nature; and, inasmuch as there is ne
local law on the subject, in the Terrific
ries which have recently been ceded te
this government that they are 10 all intent,
and purposes, FREE, and must remain so
The holder going into these Terrific
ries, with his slaves would Tiberate then
Just as effectualy as if he would remove
with them TO Canada OF to England. /
is not necessary that slavery should be sor
bidden, it is sufficient, in the language O
Judge BRoNsoN, that it is not specially au
thorized. The slave would have Just us
much power over the master as the master
would have over the slave-no moreno
less. Here then is the difficulty with the
Calhoun and Yancey School According
to Gen. CAss' Interpretation Of the Con
sttution, they are not permitted to remove
into these Territories, with their slaves
under the PENALTY Of losing their propert,
Hence these ultra Southern men will nc
support Gen. CAss. The Northern aboli
zionist and whig on the other hand dc
: nounce him as dough face because h
e e denies the power Of Congress to legisla,
J. upon the subject; Or in other words, denie
u the power OF Congress TO institute slasery
Can absurdity go further than this? Fc
n in the language of Judge MCLEAN, "T
J prohibit implies the right to do the thin
prohibited" Do these men wish to Sc
: slavery established in these territories
an act Of Congress, in despite Of the plai
provisions Of the Constitutions! If they d
+ not then let them support Gen CAss, wh
I is not only opposed TO any more slav
I Territory, but is opposed, on principle, +
the exercise Of any such uncoi,stitutiono
powers by Congress. Should Gen TArLo
or MARTIN VAN buren, be elected, an
this doctrine prevail that Congress can ex
ercise despo.ic power; can legislate il
} contravenlion to the principles Of the Con
stitution, there is no telling what may b.
! accomplished. Should q majority of tha
5 body be in favor Of the measure, the insti
tuition of slavery might be perpetuated. :
In their zeal to give Congress the power t
prohibit slavery in these territories, the.
little think that they give 10 that body, a
the inevitable result Of their premises, tn
power to institute it. But, say these advo
cafes for theusurpaton of power upon th'
part Of Congress- I'VE must have some act t.
prevent the introduction Of slavery into
these Territories. Can any law Of Cor
gress be OF more force or validity than ths
} common law which hasrecognised through
out the civilized world? There is ne
law in many of the States against slave
ry. And yet slavery is as effectually pre-
FeHleu US IL IL IIt1u oCcH CspOSh'iiy Piohio
tied. There is no law in England prohib
iting slavery, yet the moment that a slav
treads upon British soil he is free. VIII.
: then contend for the exercise of power b,
Congress, which is decidedly unconstitu
tional, especially when it will be ofno avail
1t would be perfectly nugatory. Congress
for all practicable purposes, might as wei
pass an act that there shall be no slavery il
New York or in Canada.
Mr.. Editor, Gen CAss appears TO hav'
been the only man Of all the candidates wh'
has taken common sense, practical view
of the subject. He has taken the enlarged
views of statesman, while all others hav'
taken those of the mere politician. Th'
Constitution is the best Wilmot Provist
that we can have. 1t is q complete bar t.
slavery in the territories that are now free
What more can we ask, what more do W.
want?
An Expected Duel.