The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-12-12

e lnew homes in these inviting regions.
: Shall the dissimilarity of the domestic insti-
tutions in the different States prevent us from
p providing for them suitable governments =
, These institutions existed at the adoption OF
: the constitution, but the obstacles which they
linterposed were overcome by that spirit OF
5 compromise which is now invoked. In con-
fct of opinions or of interests, real or imagin-
lary between different sections Of our country,
neither can Justly demand all which it might
ldesire to obtain. Each, in the true spirit OF
lour institutions, should concede something to
the other.
: Our gallant forces in the Mexican war, by
whose patriotism and unparalleled deeds of
arms we obtained these, possessions as an IN
demnity for our just leuands against Mexico,
were composed of citizens who belonged TO
no one stat ,or section CT our Union. They were
linen from slaveholding and non-slaveholding
! States, from the North and tie South, from
1.-THE East and the West. They were all COM
panions in arms and fellow citizens of the same
common country, engaged in the same COM
mon cause. When prosecuting that war, they
were brethren and friends, and shared alike
with each other, common tolls, dangers and
sufferings. Now, when their work is ended,
when peace is restored, and they return again
to their homes, put off the habiliments of war,
take their places in society, and resume their
pursuits in civil life, surely spirit Of harmo-
nv and concession, and of equal regard for the
| rights of all and of all sections of the Union,
ought to prevail in providing governments for
the acquired territories-the fruits OF their
| common service.
The whole people of the United States and
of every State contributed to defray the ex-
penses of that war; and it would not be just
for any one section TO exclude another from
all participation in the acquired territory
This would not be in consonance with the just
system of government which the trainers Of
the constitution adopted.
The question is believed to be rather alb
stract than practical, whether slavery ever can
or would exist in any portion of the acquired
territory, even If it were left TO the option of
the slaveholding States themselves From the
nature of the climate and productions. in much
the larger portion Of it, it is certain it could
never exist and in the remainder, the proba-
bilities are it would not But however this
may be, the question, involving, as it docs,
principle of equality of rights of the separate
and several States, as equal co-partners in the
confederacy, should not be disregarded.
In organizing governments over these Ter
ritories, no duty imposed on Congress by the
constitution, requires that they should legislate
on the subject of slavery, while their power to
do so is not only seriously questioned, but de-
MED by many Of the soundest expounders Of
that instrument. Whether Congress shall leg
islate or not, the people oil the acquired Terri
tories, when assembled in convention to form
State constitutions, will possess the sole and
exclusive power to determine for themselves
whether slavery shall or shall not exist within
their limits. If Congress shall abstain from
interfering with the question, the people of
these Territories will be left free to adjust it
as they may think proper when they apply for
admission as States into the Union.
No enactment of Congress could restrain
the people of any of the sovereign States of
the Union old or new, north or south, slave
holding or acknowledging, from determining
the character of their own domestic institutions
as they may deem wise and proper. Any and
all the States possess this right, and Congress
cannot deprive them of it. The people of
Georgia might, if they chose, so alter their
constitution as TO abolish slavery within its linn
its; and the people of Vermont might so alter
their constitution as to admit slavery within its
limits. Both States would possess the right
though, as all know, it is not probable that Ell
Their would exert it.
1t is fortunate for the peace and harmony Of
the Union, that this question is in its nature
temporary, and can only continue for the brief
period which will intervene before California
and New Mexico may be admitted as States
into the Union. From the tide of population
now flowing into them, it is highly probable
that this will soon occur
Considering the several states and the citi-
zens of the several states as equals, and emit
tied to equal rights under the constitution, if
this were an original question, il might we'll
be insisted on that the principle Of non-inter-
ference is the true doctrine, and that congress
could not, in the absence Of any express grant
of power, interfere with their relative rights.
UpoE great emergency, however, and under
menacing dangers to the Union, the Missouri
compromise line in respect to slavery was a.
dopted. The same lire was extended further
west in the acquisition of Texas. After an
acquiescence Of nearly thirty yearsin the prin-
ciple of compromise recognised and establish
ed by these acts, and to avoid the danger to
the Union which might follow if it were now
disregarded,
] have heretofore expressed The. opinion that
that line of compromise should be extended on
the parallel Of thirty-si1 degrees thirty minutes
from the western boundary of Texas, where it
now terminates, TO the Pacific ocean. This is
the middle ground of compromise, upon which
|
as they have heretofore met II this be done
il is confidently believed large majority of
the people of every section of the country,
however widely their abstract opinions on the
subject of slavery may differ, would cheerful
y and periodically acauiescc in it, and peace
and harmony would again fill our borders.
The restriction north of the line was only
yielded to in the case of Missouri and Texas
upon principle of compromise, made neces-
sary for the sake Of preserving the harmony,
and possibly the existence of the Union.
1t was upon these considerations that at the
close of your last session, gave my sanction
to the principle of the Missouri compromise
line, by approving and signing the bill to es-
tablish the Territorial Government of Ore
gon." From sincere desire to preserve the
harmony of the Union, and in Difference for
the acts of my predecessors, felt constrained
to yield my acquiescence to the extent to
which they had gone in compromising this del