The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1848-12-22


years has been our shield and protection
sgaiust every danger. In the eyes Of the
world and Of pos,er,ly, how trivial and in- ,
significant will be all our internal divisions
and struggles compared with the presetva-
ton OF this Uaion OF the States IN ell its
vigor and with all It's countless blessings
n patriot would ioment aud excite geo.
graphical and sectional divisions. No lover
OF his country would deliberately calculate
the value OF the Uaon. Future genera
lions would lock IN amszemen, upon the
folly of such q course. 0,her nations at
the present day would louk upon i, with as
touishment; aud such Of them as desire -
maintain and perPeiuaie thrones and mon
archcal or aris,ocratcai PRINCIPLES will view
II with exulla,ion and delight. because in II,
they will see The elements OF faction, which
they hope must ultimately over,urn our
system. Oars is the great example of q
prosperous and free self governed republic,
commanding the admiration and he imta.
ton Of all the lovers of freedom throughout
the world. How solemn, therefore, Is the
duty, how impressive the call upon Us and
upon all parts Of our country. TO cult
va,e a patriotic spirit of harmony, OF good
fellowship, Of compromise and mutual cou
cession, in the administration Of the incom
parable system Of government formed by
our fathers in the midst of almost insupera.
BILE difficulties, and transmitted TO US, with
the injunction tina, we should enjoy its bless
iDes aud hand It down unimpaired TO those
who may come after US
10 view OF the high and responsible du
tie, which We owe 10 ourselves and TO man
KIND trust you may be abe, at your pres
en-, session, to approach The adjustment OF
the ouly domestic question which seriously
threatens, or probably ever can threaten, to
disturb the harmony and successful opera.
iion Of our system.
The immensely valuable possessions oil
New Mexico and California are already IN.
habtei by considerable population. AT.
trac,ed by their great fertility. their mineral
wealth, their commercial advantages and
the saub,ty Of the climate, enigtants from
the older States, in great numbers, are al
ready preparing ,o seek new homes in these
inviting regions.
Shall the dissimi'ari'y Of the domestic
institutions in the different States prevent
US from providing for them suitable govern.
ments These institutions existed at the
adoption OF the constitution, bu, The obsta
Giles which they in'erposed we're overcome
by that spirit OF compromise which is nov
invoked. 10 couict Of opinions or o.
interests, real or aginary, between d fer
eui sections OF our country, neither can
Justly demand all which i, nigh, desire to
obtain. Each, in The true spiit Of our
institutions, should concede something to
the other.
Oar gallant forces in the Mexican war, by
whose patriotism and unparalleled deeds o.
arms We OBJ ained these possessions as at
indemnity for our Just demands asalns
Mexico, we're composed Of citiZeus Nh'
belonged to no one State or section OF gu
Union. They we're men from sIaveholdin.
and non slaveholding States, from he Nortl
and The South, from the East and the West
They we're all companions. in arms and Tel!
low-ciiiz ms OF the sane common country
engaged 10 the same common cause
When prosecuting that war, they were
brethren and friends, aud shared alike viii
each other common tolls, dangers, AM
sutfsrinss. Now, when their work is ended
when peace IS restored, and they retur
again 10 their homes, put of The hlb,' nen:
Of war, taken their places In society, an
resume their pursuits IN civll life, surely
spirit OF harmony AMI concession, and c
equ1l regard for the rights of all and OF a
sections of the Union ought to prevail /
providing governments for the acquired tel
ritories- the fruits Of their common sevlce
The whole people Of the Unrted States an
Of every State contributed TO defrsy tn
expenses Of that war; and i. would not b
Just for any one section 10 exclude anothe
iron all partic patton 10 the acquired teri
tory. This would no, be 10 consonanc
with the JUS. system Of government whlc
the trainers OF the constitution adopted.
The question is believed TO be rather al
siract than practical, whether slavery eve
can OF would exist in any portion Of tn
acquired territory, even il it were left |
the option Of the slaveholding States then
selves. From The nature OF the cIlnal
and productions in much the larger PORTO
OF ", u Is CttNdi1 IL Z u never exist, at
10 the remainder, the probab lll.les are
would not. Bu, however this may be, Il
question, involving, as i, does, a princip
Of equality Of rights of the separate al
several States, as equal copaitnerS N Il
contederacy, should not be dls:esarded.
10 organic ns governments over the,
Territories, no duty imposed on COngre
by the constitution require. that tley shpn
iegislste on The SUBJECT OF slavery, wni
their power 10 do SO IS not only serious
questioned, but denied by many Of Il
soundest e,pounders OF tha. instrument.
Whether Congress shall legslate or 10
the people Of the acquired Tefritorie
when assembled il convention 10 form STA
constitutions, will possess The sole and e
elusive power to determine for themsels
whether slavery shall or shall not ex
within their limits. If Congress shall a
STAN from interfering with the QuestIo