Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-12-13
to disturb tho harmony and successful operation Of

Mexico and California are already inhabited by
considerable population. Attracted by their great
fertility, their mineral wealth, their commercial ad-
vanages, and the salubrity Of the climate eigranis
from the older States, great numbers. are alrea
dy preparing to seek new homes i'm these inviting
regions.
Shall the dissimilarity ofthe domestic insti,u-
lions in the different States prevent us from provi
ding for them suitable governments? These insti-
tutons existed at the adoption Of the constitution
but the obstacles which they interposcd were over
come by that spirit of compromise which is ROW in
voked In conflict of opinions OF interests real
or Imaginary, between different sections of our
country, neither can justly demand all which it
might desire to obtain. Each, in the true spirit of
our Institutions, Should concede something 10 the
other.
Our gallant forces in the Mexican war, by whose
patriotism and unparalleled deeds of arms we OBJ.
tanned these possessions as indemnity for our jus,
demands against Mexico, were composed OF citizens
who belonged TO no one State OF section Of our u
MON. They were men from slavehoding and nom
s'aveholding States from tho North and the South
from the East and the West They were all com
panions arms and fellow citizens of the same
common country, engaged in the same common
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
hablllments of war, take their places in society,
and resume their pursuits in civil life, surely sp-
mt OF harmony 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 terrtories-the fruits Of their common ser
vice. The whole people of the United States and
OF every State contributed TO defay the expenses of
lhatwar, and it would not be just for any one section
to exclude another from all participation in the &C
CURED territory. This would not be in consonance
with the Just system of government which the fra
mers of the constitution adopted.
The question is believed to be rather abstract
than practical, whether slavery ever can or would
exist In any portion of the acquired territory even
II 1t were left 10 the option Of the slaveh0lding
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 remand
er the probabilities are it would not. But, howev-
er this may be, the question, involving as it does
principle of equality of rights OF the separate and
several States as equal copartners in the conedera-
cy, should not be dlsregarded.
In organising governments over these territories
no duty imposed on Congress by the constitution
requires that they shonld legslae on the subject of
slavery, while their power TO do so is not only Sc
riousy questioned, but denied by many of the sound
est eXpounders of that instrument. Whether Con-
gress shall legislate not, the people of the ac-
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 inter
iering with the question, the people of these terri
tories Will be left free 10 dust they may think
proper, when they apply for admission as States in
10 the Union. No enactment of Congress could re-
strain the people of any Of the sovereign States of
the Union, old new, north or south slaveholding
orr ncla unt,n 10, L..
OF their own domestic institutions as they ma deem
wise and proper. Any and all the States possess
this right, and Congress cannot deprive them of it,
The people of Georg ia might if they chose so alter
their constitution abolish slavery within its lin
lis, 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, 1t Is not probable that either would exert it,
III is fortunate for the peace and harmony Of the
Union that this question is in lis 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 il is
highly probable that this will soon occur.
Considering the several States and the citizens
OF the several States as equals and entitled TO equal
rights under the constitution if this were an oriei-
nal question it might well be insisted on that the
principle of non interference is the true doctrine:
express grant OF power, interfere with their relative
rights. Upon great emergency, however, and
under menaciDg dangers TO the Union, the Mis-
sourl compromise line In respect to slavery was a.
dopted. The same line was extended further west
in the acquisition of Texas. After an acquescence
OF nearly thirty years in the principle of compro
mise recognised and established by these acts, and
TO AVOID the danger to the Union which might fol-
low II 1t were now disregarded, have heretofore
expressed the opinion that that line of compromise
should be extended on the parallel of thirty six de-
grees thirty minutes from the western boundary of
Texas, where 1t now terminates, to the Pacific o.
cean. This is the middle ground of compromise
upon which the different sections of the Union NAV
meet as they have heretofore met. If this be done,
1t Is confidently believed large majority of the
people OF every section of the country, however
widely their abstract opinions on the subject of slay
cry may differ, would cheerfnlly and periodically
acquiesce in it, and peace and harmony would again
fill our borders.
The restriction north of the line was only Weld
ed to in the case of Missouri and Texas upon a
principle OF compromise, made necessary for the
sake OF preserving the harmony and possibly the
existence OF the Union
1t was upon these considerations that, al the close
OF your last session, gave my sanction 10 the prin
cipie VI the missouri compromise line, by approx
ing and signing the bill 10 establish '.the territorial
government of Oregon" From sincere desire to
preserve the harmony Of the Union, and in defe-
renee for the acts OF my predecessors, felt con-
strained TO yield my acquiesence to the extent Ia
which they had gone IN compromising this delicate
and dangerous question. But if Congress shall now
reverse the decision by which the Missouri cornpro
mise effected, and shall propose 10 extend the re-
strictiOn over the whole territory, south as well as
north of the parallel of thiTtysix degrees thirty mi
nutes, 1t will cease TO be compromise, and must
be regarded an original question.
If COngress, instead ofobserying the course of non
interference, leaving the adoption of their own do
nestle institutions to the people who may inhabi
these territories; or If, instead of extending the
Missouri compromise line 10 the Pacific. shall pre-