Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-09-08


hilated-These facts cannot be controverted or CO..
cealed, and when once fully understood and appr
Grated by the people OF the non slaveholding state
they must have controlling influence over the
future course. The emotions they have alread
excited, ought not to surprise intelligent and ngt
nuous minds in any quarter.
But this is not the only, nor the most repulsy
view which we are compelled TO take OF the preser
pretensiOns of our brethren of the slavcholdin
states. Slavery is now presented in livery whie
IL never wore before. On every previous occasio
where there has been conflict OF opinion in regar
10 It, the question has only been how far the polio
OF 1887 should be carried out by prohibiting re
strctng the extension OF slavery territory " hic
was at the time, subject TO its introduction Mos
of the territory of the United States which was thu
situated, save the state of Iowa. which was except
ed by the Missouri Compromise, has been convert
ed INTO slave states and admitted into the union
such. Now, for the first tine, the attempt is mad
to permit the introduction of slavery into terrific
res which are now free from it-terrories from
which it was expelled, within the last fifteen o
twenty years, by the express and solemn act o
their former government and people-a government
| and people with whom in respect 20 the attribute;
OF freedom, ours could not brook a comparison.
Nor is this lis only or lis worst feature. In annex
ing our Union, Texas, an extensive slave state
covering an area capable of being formed into ma
NY more such states, we became involved in val
with Mexico which claimed continued dominion
over that state The territories in regard 10 which
! the question is now made, are among the conquests
! of this war.-lt is, therefore, in effect, whatever
may have been the original objects of the war an
! appeal 10 the inhabitants OF the non-saI ehoding
states to sanction the extension through ustrI.
mentality, OF slavery into territories, which the
United States have in fact, acquired by the sword
but which Others had relieved from that great evil
Such a proposition need only TO be started to en-
sure its prompt rejection by the non slaveholding
states.
Upon what grounds is 1t attempted TO sustain
principle so repugnaut feelings, so destruc-
tive in view to our national character, and so
we'll calculated, if successful to cloud the glory of
this great republic That there should be divers-
ties OF opinion and feeling upon the subject OF >ll
very between and our southern brethren is Ter
tainly natural.
The strength of norti ern aversion to the instu-
ton, has been recently cry truly stated the floor
OF the Senate, by very distinguished southern
statesman. The people OF the north could not
come this aver. ion, if they would, d they cannot
desire to do So because they eligionsy beIle,e that
the highest earthly interests OF man are based Oh
ITS permanency and ul innate universally. At the
south the feeling very different, because the Gull
tue OF their minds aud dispositions al the force
OF habit have opposite tendency. This known,
and for a season at least, incurable diversity OF
opinion and feeling, should beget spirit OF conc-
laion, aud lncucafe mutual iurbear,nce in speech
and action. This duty has douh less been occa
Sionaly lost sight OF, on both SIDES but IT cannot
be denied that the departure from il has been grea
st on the art OF our sOutt ern bre hrer
No one will venture TO insist that il is. at this
day eithe, exped ient or light 10 originate slavery
in territories that free rom II, if II be pro
uerly prev euted But il is insisted that this cannot
be done in the case under consideration. and in the
form vroposel FRS because the constitution does
not give Congress the power to prohibit slavery in
the territories and that consequently the great
uumter OF act for that purpose which have pas ed
the last SIXTY ye lrs, with general assent, were
but So m my attractions OF the constitution.
All will remember the solennity ard rapdIty
with which state alter state, al the south, in sue
cession. announced this doctrine and NE acrimon.-
O Is ,ehemence with which ter conyeLt uns de-
n unced polit cal ltun, the Il r.n OF eX-
clusiou from Il oh ce ni President and Vice Pre-
sdent, of all who ret I'd to adopt IT. But II is al
ready apparent that differences OF opinion uIon this
important subject cannot be settled by vehement
ASSUMPTIONS nor Cancellation M Iegad 10 II, pro-
noted bv denuncia'Ion. In country such diff
cutes IN st be sol ed by appeals 10 the tests pro-
vided by the constitution For the recttude o. Ir
conduct. we are responsible, enth to the opinion
Ol Tue civil Ecu WON POhti
i wiser an greater than all.
The question of Consti,utiOnaty, the gray est of
all objections that can be made against public
measure has Just passed@hrough the ordeal OF pub
lie discussion and the doctrine IN question has been
so thoroughly rejected and condemned by the voice
of the nation that il is no longer necessary 10 spend
words IN reutng II.
Two circumstances have however, occurred,
which though not necessary 10 lis overflow, give
To that overthrow a sanction which entities them 10
notice it now appears that twenty eight years
since at the time of the Missouri compromise, Mr..
Monroe then President, slaN eholdcr, and ted
from sa, ehoding state, submitted this very ques-
ton save only that it was then applied TO slave
territory 10 a cabinet composed among other great
/ mea OF such giant in'eects from the sla' ehodIng
states as Crawford, Calhoun and Nirt, the latter
the law officer OF the government; that they were
unanimously of opinion that congress did not pos
sess the mower in question: and that the then Pret-
! dent a man who was on the scene Of action when
I the constitution formed concurrng IN that
! opinion, approx ed the bt.l The documents which
/ attest these interesting circumstances are before
the country, and every one will Judge for himself
OF their claims TO credence. considered in connec
ton with what has been said on the subject by the
! r.ivor of the cabinet referred 10.
! To bring the matter nearer to our own times
within few days upon the very heel of the recent
discussions upon this point, bill containing thy
restrict!on--the very bill which has IN part, PRO
duced this discussion-has passed both branches
OF the national legislature, and received the const
tutional approval OF the present exccuilve-an ap
proval which it was sworn duty 10 withhold, II hi
had not been satisfied that all the provisions OF thu
bill were in conformity 10 the constitution. Ih'
present Pres dent, also STAKEHOLDER, with large
portion of his cabinet in the same situation, ha
en- the highest sanction 70 the doctrine we con
tend for that IS known 10 our institutions and al
though he ielt himself called upon 10 make an ex
ira message setting forth his reasons for beierin;
that the restriction ought not TO be applied TO on
Mpxcal territories he does not take the slightes
notice OF the constitutional objection on which 81
many southern states had based their opposition Il
the general measure This branch OF the subjec
has been thus and we hope forever, disposed OF.
Ii is further cont nded that slaves are so far to b
regarded rs property TO authorize their owners t
carry them into any OF the territories and TO hol
them there, notwithstanding any act which Con
gress may pass upon the subject Ii Congress nav
the constitutional power TO prohibit slavery IN IN
territories, It's laws place the subject on the sam
footing, there as the state laws do in the states.
! we'll therefore, might the STAKEHOLDER contend tina
he can bring his slaves into state which prohibit
slavery, as that he can bring them into territore
where slavery is prohibited by Congress. III hi
IL Il HEu