The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-07
33,2la,l52 10
Arkansas,


Extract from the MESA gre of Gov Dre,c to the legislature
which assembled at Little Rock on the 7th ult.
The acquisition of large scope of additional terrific
ry has caused spirited revival OF abolition doctrine in
many OF the free States The principle contended for by
the free soers of the North is to the effect that citizen
OF slave State shall not be permitted, in removing to
such territory, TO carry with him his slave propery and
the restraint is proposed by them through the action of
Congress- to prohibit slavery in all such territory,
wthstandpg the blood of the people from all the States
has been She'd and the OF the government in
which all have an equal right, has been spent
No friend of the abolition of slavery will pretend
10 doubt, should Congress arbitrarily prevent the mi
grafton of citizens with their slave property, that the
people, IN the formation of State constitution subse.
quently would have the right 10 tolerate slavery And
if the majority in Congress should refuse her admission
upon that ground into the UniOn and require her to
in free State, she would still possess the nau
raj and political right, after her admission free State.
to alter her constitution in this regard-o change her
fundamental law enre-wlthOut any regard to the
paons by Congress OF powers not conferred by the
stutlon upon 1t.
The institution of slavery is local, not national Pow
er TO interfere with this within the States Territories
of the United States has been conferred upon Con-
gress any other department of the general government
The States derive of their powers from the general
government but the general government all its from the
States, through the action OF the people, under the pre-
scribed rules of the State authorities The hits of the
States inherent those of the general government del
egaed to the general government that division only of
sovereignty which is understood from the character of
the powers conferred upon by the constitutions all the
rest that pertains 10 sovereign power els reserved to the
States respectively or 10 the people,"
The great distinguishing feature of government,
the recognition OF the first great conservative principle in
the people. They with the aid of territory make a
State Safes The States may make for useful purpo-
SEES, federal government by deegang certain restricted
doing may restrain its action to the specifications of
the powers thus delegated. Such, apprehend the
position of our peopesuch the position of the
people of Oregon; and now, for the exercise of this
mons,rous restraining power of Congress, has such
power of determining political rights of the people
of territory ever been conferred! for unless it has
been conferred, it cannot constitutonally eXer-
else it. Now | maintain that such power has new
er been granted; and not being granted, and Con-
gress being coordinate department of government of
delegated powers, and restricted from the exercise of
those not delegated naturally led to inquire what
power has been conferred upon Congress by the constu
lion in relation to territory In the whole instrument il is
mentioned but twice. Congress shall exercise exclusive
legislation all places acquired for public purposes,
by session of particular Sales This clause refers to
and Virgnia-now styled the District of Columbia. And
the next place, to the grant relied upon in the
Sd section and 18th article of the constitution: "The
Congress shall have power to dispose Of and make all
needful rules and regulations respecting the territory
other property belonging to the United States.'
These clear specific grants If it was not known
that the government of the United States held the public
domain, both in territory organized and not organ
lied, well in sovereign States some doubt might be
entertained upon the substance OF this latter clause
think however, the reading is plain, that Congress shall
have power to pass all laws necessary and proper, for
causing these lands TO be surveyed establishing land Off
ces appointing land officers, selling the land, making titles,
expenditure; but the power under this clause does
authorize Congress to make and extend laws whose
sngency would be Incompatible with those OF the States,
to appoint governor from another State. and place
free people without their consent under clause
protect regulate and perhaps sell her property in and
to lands of such territory Much less has Congress the
right impose restrictions to the character of the
property which may be held by citizens OF territories, in
whom only the right to regulate the property OF the gov
eminent in such territory is conferred
The establishment of The Missouri compromise line
the parallel of 800 80 ~ latitude, made violation
cordance with the mutual concessions of distinguished
statesmen and PATRIOTS and really hurtiu to interests
North South continuation of that line to the Pacific
be reasonably objected TO. 1t is hoped and
believed that the next subject in Congress- involving
the principle, will lead to settlement of this vexed
question forever, by extension of this line to the Pa
citic ocean. D..
Trusting to the patriotism of the people and the wis
dom Of Congress for happy and successful settlement
of this important question: before geographical lines and
sectional ealouses shall end asunder the bonds OF this
happy Union, stand ready to do our duty;
May haY ruling Providence that has watched over the
struggles of the nations infancyhas since gnded and
directed the councils of its statesmen building up pros
porous, happy, and powerful PROVISIONING our Ell,
forts in arms at home and abroad, with unparalleled
suecess-and who in His munifcence, has given
new and brighter name among the nations OF the
earth an importance in agriculture, IN manufactures. in
war and in philanthropy, and political pre- eminence
among the civilized of all the word-sll continue His
blessings until their influence shall cause the science Of
self o oyernmen Mt to prevail the world over
We should not forget our own importance as portion
Of this great confederacy, the obligations imposes
both in duty to the country and to that Being to whom
alone we much indebted for all these blessings
T1IIGlBLE Once Room. to Iei.-Tho rooms in tho
~ bui the If nd