Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-10-04
From the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Slavery in the New Territories.

From the Cincinnati Enquirer
Slavery in the New Territories.
We received, a few days ago, the ''Cal-
ifornia STAR handsome newspaper
sheet, published at San Francisco, Caliior-
nia on the shore of the Pacific.
Here, thought we, is likely to be found
q solution of the trouble and pother extant
amcng US, touching the question of slavery
in The new territories. What do the peo-
pie there say? What are their views? and
what do they wan!!-They will have it
their own way in the long run anyhow;
what are their sentiments and desires!
1t was, therefore, with great interest
that we read the subjoined article headed,
"ShaH ave hare Slavery an California;"
and with like interest do We commend it
to the reader. 1t presents the views of
the people interested more than all others,
and in very clear and forcible light.
The Cincinnati Gazette Of Friday, with
copy Of the same number Of the Star be-
fore its editor, resorted 10 the low device
of garblng and perverting the article.
We publish it entire, just as it is.
What are the views tpresents? Ii quotes
and approves the sentiments Of Mr.. Bu-
chanan. II declares emphatically that
there is not a slaUe an California. 1t af-
firms that even an act Of the United Stutas
government recognizing slavery, could not
overcome the popular opposition to it, and
might as we'll be made 10 introduce slave
ry into New England or Canada that
every facility would be afforded 10 negroes
to escape, and concludes by protesting that
the United States have no right to inAicl
upon them the curse Of slavery.
All this contemplates some affirmative
action by onr Congress. What the people
there apprehend, and what they deprecate
and protest against is, the creation or re-
cognilioh of slavery. Observe the views
expressed! We have no slavery now
we are we'll enough now-let US alone!-
don't authorize or recognise slavery!-the
existing moral leeling, and the nature of
the country, climate, and productions, will
settle the rest. They want no proviso, no
prohbition-let Congress refrain from ere.
ating slavery, and crowding it upon them
WISH6S-Iuut
Now this California paper, wholly ou:
of the range of our party politics, and hav-
ing no interest but that Of the territory
and people for which it speaks, has hit the
substantial point in controversy. Wheth-
er Congress shall create slavery, or recog-
nize slavery there, is really the question.
Let US see what is claimed by the ultra
South.
From late speech in the Senate by
Mr.. Yulee, of Florida, we make the follow
ing extract: -
If Congress, in its discretion, opens ter.
ritory to settlement, it is necessarily and
of right opened in equal degree to .all'ci
zens Of the several states. If the citizen
Of one state may 20 upon it and enjoy its
use, so may. rightfully, the citizens of eve-
ry other state Of the Union; for otherwise
the tenure of the states would be unequal.
The right to go upon tho territory, in.
wolves the right TO carry family and prop
erty; for these, if may so speak, are
part of every mans political or civil entity.
fhis going upon the territory is legal, he
does not lose his title to be protected in
his natural rights of personal security, lib
er,y, and property; and inasmuch as the
federal government has become the agent
or trustee of the people Of his state in the
government of the territory, it is bound
to afford him the needful protection.
The forclble manumission Of his slave
would be violation of his right of proper
tv, which, being contrary to the duty of
Congress could nat be legally enacted;
and being contrary to the right Of the ci,i-
zen, should be actively prevented.
The resolutions of the legislature Of Vir-
ginia and other statas, speak of the claim
Of every citizen Of every state in the con-
federacy to reside with his property, of
whatever description, in the territories of
the United States, as ga natural and inde-
feasible right"
And the Cbarlestewn, S. c., folks, who
nominated Gen. Taylor with Gen. Butler,
assert the same doctrine, viz. that it is
their right to go into these new territories
with their slaves-a right which Congress
can mot prohibit them from exercising,
but which it is bound to recognize, and pro.
tect.
The southern people know very we'll
that the common law is against their claim
That the common sense and united feel
ing Of the people there are against it-that
they cannot get along in any possible view
of the case, unless Congress shall do what
the California rs prot est against, viz: pass
laws recognizing slavery there, by protect
ing the stakeholder.
This is the real strain of the matter.
There are prohibitions in abundance now
Nature, the climate, soil, productions, the
people, and the common law, each ana al
l:l:.. Ay,uerr fannOt |