The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1848-12-19

otprobahly ever can threaten, 10 disturb sIIs
hamony and successful operation 81 oul
system.
The immensely valuable possessions .oI
New Mexico and California are already inha-
biied BY considerable population. Alirac-
ted BY their great fertility, their mineral
wealth, their commercial advantages, and
the salubrity Of the climate, emigran,s from
the older States, in great numbers, are alrea.
dy preparing TO seek new homes in these
inviting regions.
Shall the dssiiniariiy OF domestic insiilu.
tons in tho different States prevent US from
providing for them suitable govcrnmenis?--
These institutions existed al the adoption oI
the Constitution, but the obstacles which
they interposed were overcome BY the spirit
|of compromise which is now invoked. In
conflict of opinions, or Of interests, real OF
between different sections Of oui
country, neither can justly demand all which
liz might desire TO obtain. Each, in the
true spiritof our 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 indemnify for our just demands against
Mexico, we're composed of citizens who be-
longed TO no state or section of our Union.
They were men from slayeholdng and nom
|slayebolding states, from the north and from
The south, from the east and the west.--
They were all companions in arms, and
fellow-ciizens of the same common coun-
Try, engaged in the same common Cause
When prosecuting that war they were breth-
,gep and friends, and shared alike with each
other common tolls, dangers, and suff' erngs.
Now, when their work is en1ed, when peace
IS restored, and they return again 10 their
homes, put off the habiliments of war, take
their places in society, and resume their
pursuits in civil life, surely spirit Of har-
mony, and concession, and Of equal regard
for the rights Of all, and Of all sections Of
the Union, ought to prevail, in providing GO
vernments for the acquired territories-the
fruits Of their common service. The whole
people Of the United States, and of every
state--contrbu:ed TO defray the expenses
Of that war, and il would not be just for any
one section TO exclude another from all par
ticipation in the acquired terrtsry. This
would not be in consonance with tho just
system Of government which tho trainers of
our constitution adopted.
The question is believed 10 be rather abb
stract than practical, whether slavery ever
can or would exist in any portion Of the ac-
quired territory, even If il we're left to the
opinion of the slaye-holding States them
selves. From the nature the climate, and
productions of the country, in much the lar
ger portion of il, il is certain il could never
exist; and in the remainder, the probabili-
ties are, il would not. But, however this
may be, the question, involving as it does, a
principle Of equality Of rights Of the sepa-
rate and several STATES; as equal co-parlners-
In the confederacy, should not be disregar-
ded-
JIorganizing governments over these ter
ritories, 10 duties imposed on Congress by
the Constitution require that they should le-
gislate on the subject Of slavery, while their
power 10 do SO is not only seriously ques-
Iioned, but denied by many Of the sound
eel expopnders Of that instrument. Whether
Congress shall leg:slate or not, the people
Of the acquired territories, when assembled
in Convention, 10 form State Constitutions.
will possess the sole and exclusive power 10
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 terri
lolies will be lef free to adjust il as they
may think proper, when they apply for ad-
mission as States into the Union. No enact
nent Of Congress could restrain the people
of any Of the sovereign STATES Of the Union,
Did or new, North or South, slavehoIding or
on-slaveholding, from determining the char
,cter of their own domestic Institutions as
hey may deem wise aud proper. Any and
Ill the States possess this right, and Congress
cannot deprive them of it. The people oi
Georgia. might, if they choose to alter their
Constitution as TO abolish slavery within its
limits; and the people of Vermont might
SO alter their Constitution as to admit slave
" within It's limits Both States would pos
sess the right; though, as all know, il is not
probable that either would exert it.
Il is fortunate for the peace and harmony
Of tho Union, that this question is temporary
in its nature, and can only continue for the
brief period which win intervene before Ca
li(ornia and New Mexico, may be admitted
30 States into the Union. From The tide ofl
population now flowing into them, il is highly