Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-09-16

the preponderating influence Of tho son,b ira " "
Poan OF these was the revenue law Of 1916 which was
much Southern measure that of Texas ami cariI
through Congress by the influence of the son,h md hs
minisraton There were very few Of all the Northern Sen
tors who resly approved of it, although thav Il, ,a g. !,
but the two Senators from Pennsylvania and myself am
not now speaking OF the merits Of the measure bu Whether
wise or moi, it was evidently, knew at the Inn, ;,sndd
70 advance the Interests Of slave labor at the &c h
ree labor OF the North In this has not been veyy
u Tor ~ under its influence and other causes The nrod
OF Tree labor depressed those Of slave labor ae nil,
These three measures contributed in no small degree n
bring forward the anti slavery poviso the time il was
posed. know the views and feelings of some Of The a
tlemen who were active in that movement do not auda
10 Mr.. Wilmot but to gentleman of New York tben =
member OF the House of Representatives and who ain
70 sustain that measure than any other individual He adj
vsed with me from the FIRST and know his motives H.
thought It was time that the selfish policy South should
DC resisted and that the question of additional slave eorv
should be met in advance And subsequent events baye
proved the soundness Of his judgment
The anti slavery proyso passed the House Of REPRESENTA-
yves twice. and ten Of the fee States approved of IT, This
prompt and decided course Of the free States and of their
Representatives in Congress- the whole Of the slave
States They attempted 10 pursue the same course that thew
did IN relation to Te1asto make it party measure and
carry into the election Resolutions were adopted by the
legislatures OF Virginia, South Carolina, and Alabama de-
clarng tha under circumstances would thew regard as
binding any law OF Congress prohibiting slavery in any Ter
noy And to force the politicians ia the free States from
heir POSITION they also resolved that under circumstances
would they support any candidate for Presidency Vice
Presidency who not arotced opposed to the principles
Of the Wmot proviso Other slave States adopted similar
resolutions but perhaps not qnite strong The Democratic
Conventions in two of the States named affirmed the same
principles and purposes. How was with the Wing Conyen
tons at the South, am not informed.
These measures do not look very compromising Here was
threatened notification OF law of Congress, and virtually
separation and withdrawal OF the Southern division Of bob
the two paes unless their Northern brethren would unite
with them IN their slavery test They intended to coerce and
drive the Northern division Of both parties accede their
slavery PLATFORM And have they not succeeded Why did
the Northern candidate write the Nicholson letter Was il
not to bring himself upon this Southern platform Why did
the Southern Wings insist upon the nomination Of General
Taylor Was not that they knew that his position and in
terests as large STAKEHOLDER would all their objects in
respect to slavery They have carried out their object so far
each party the South has secured the nomination of can
ddate known TO be favorable their purposes ia respect to
slavery and standing on the platform they had put forth
WHAT them are the free States to do They abandon
their principles and become instrumental in extending slavery
into free territories resist this determined policy of the slave
States They have resisted and hence the present crisis
but does not seem to be understood here. Gentlemen
speak Of as an excitement whirlwinda storm.
Dir II Is no excitement no storm OF passion but settled and
determined purpose 10 resist the further of slavery
and the further aggesons of the slave power On the ques-
ton oil the exclusion of slavery there scarcely be said to
be but opinion in the free States. II would be difficult
to find man who dares defend the extension Of slavery
into free territory But the presses and politicians who sup
port the Baltimore and Philadelphia nominations attempt 10
persuade the people that their respective candidates pro-
do net think to carry the people with hem unless they can
mislead them in this respect.
Mr. President now to the question of slavery in the
Territories about which much has been sad but which is
by no means exhausted
have already had occasion examine the constitutional
power of Congress territories Notwithstanding oil that
has been said on the subject there question the
power OF Congress 10 egsae the subject Of slavery in
territories If Congress legislate upon any subject in
territories, it slavery The constitution gives to Con-
exclusive general jurisdiction and if there are any
limitations upon this power is certain there none in
spect to slavery unless the ten articles amendments
restriction upon authorizing slavery There certainly
restriction upon Congress in respect the prohibition Of
slavery There is not provision in the constitution that can
be tortured into such meaning And Congress has exer-
csed this power from almost the Of the Con-
edeacy, and in almost every way and FORM II has never
established slavery, and trust will. But il has re-
cognised it, regulated and prohibited il snd the power OF
Congress doubted until the last few years. Ii fifty
sixty years action Of the Government in all its depart
ents, does not settle question Of power should like to
know when il be settled When the power Of Congress
has been exercised to uphold slavery in territories has
been doubted but if il is to be exerted to prohibit it. it is
called in question.
The only question, them one of expediency justice and
propriety AT the threshold of this inquiry, would ask
why should slavery be anspanled into any territory where
does not exist And in especial manner would ask why
il should be carried to the shores Of the Pacific country two
thousand miles of Ina political point Of view, this very
different question from that Of introducing slavery nd
joining territory In moral aspect Of the question: the oh
jecons the in either There is be great
empire that coast which at day may rival that the
Atlantic. No country is favorably situated for
ca enterprise There Of the finest harbors and bays
IN the world and the country sbounds with TIMBER COAL and
all the elements for shpbuidng and navigation II faces the
largest in the world and most favorable for navigation
Considering the favorable navigation Of the Pacific ocean,
compared with the Atlantic, California and Oregon may be
regarded about TO Asia Atlantic States are to
Europe The whole Of large portion Of ASIA the
Pacific countries Of South America, and the islands Pa
cc, will be open TO the trade Of California and Oregon
There is prospect Of commercial intercourse with five hun
dred millions Of people and they not a commercial peo-
pie like the nations Of Europe the trade will be oil in our
hands The whale fishery also may finally be transferred to
the northwest coast and the cod fishery may be prosecuted
in those with much and profit than on the
coast Of Newfoundland.
The climate Of the country is mild and equabe, and por-
tons OF well adapted TO the grape olive, and orange viii
probably become Of the best wine countries in the world
exceing France am told that European varieties Of
the grape grow ia California in great perfection which will
not thrive In the Atlantic Western States There val
leys there Of four five hundred miles in extent and from
hundred to one hundred and City miles In BREADTH with
soil OF unsurpassed fertility adapted to wheat oats and 9th
grains, and Astounding in cattle and horses II is not
tropical country, but free from the extremes Of heat and cold
not adapted TO the planting interests Of cotton sugar
Why should the blight Of slavery be ranspanted such
country this Those who contend for this should
assign their Have they given any reasons Can
they give any Do they claim that will be advantage
to these countries Do they contend that will promote their
settlement growth and prosperity No, sir have heard
such claim advanced No has had the hardihood
do this Are then, called 10 transplant slavery into
H.