The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-09
The SLAVERY Qae.isea IN kx<inssssn 90 Cali
fernia and New Mcxlcs.

The SLAVERY Quessseu In Ex~instssn 20 Cali
fornia and New mexlce.
| These is no longer any reason to doubt that
both New Mexico AMI California are destined to
remain free States. For several months we felt
very anxious TO thu result Of the controversy in
relation to these territories. Wegzeatly feared
that the demands OF the Southern politicians,
heretofore, in all controversies between them and
the politicians of the Northern States so POI
tential, would DO aGceded to, and the virgin
soil Of the territories acquired by treaty from
Mexico, would be carsed by tho Translation
thither of African sla,ery with our other ''dem0-
cratic institutions We breathe more freely
now, since the convention assembled in New
Mexico has protested. against the introduction OF
our peculiar domestic institutions into that
territory. This request can handy be tIampled
under foot by Congress. and although Congress
may inisit slavery there, it will net legalise
its introduction in violation OF the earnestly de-
clared wishes of the New Mexicans.
1t is very well known that Texas has preferred
rsdiction over all that portion of New Mex
leo lying on this side Of the Rio Grande.-
This clam is based on the resolution of the
Texan Congress of 1886, which body, with pre-
sumption rarely paralleled, declared that the Rio
Grande was the "righllul boundary" of Texas,
from its mouth to its source. This line includes
a large portion of New Mexico, and on it, we
have no doubt, a controversy will spring up The
claim of Texas will be- sustained by majority
of those who are in favor Of extending and per-
petuatipg negro slavery, and opposed by those
who are in favor of restricting it within its pres
ent limits. The decision Of the question will be-
long to Congrcss, and it is not to be supposed
that majority of the representatives will record
their votes in favor OF G. claim which the Wings,
in their opposition to tue grounds on which the
tify the course pursued by Mr.. Polk, repudated
with great unanimity. The Wings contendcd
that the nghiful boundary Of Texas did not reach
the Rio Grande, as necessary TO show that the
administration, in ordering the army to advance
and take possession Of the disputed territory,
transcribed its legitimate power. If it be true
that the claim Of Texas to the boundary of the
Rio Grande was just, Il en- the declaration Of Mr..
Polk that tho war was commenced by Mexico, in
shedding American blond on American soil, was
strictly tnia But the Wings universally took is
sue with the President, and that party must in
consistency repudiate tle claim of Texas to iu-
risdietion over any potion Of New Mexico
Many Of The Democrats, who ase opposed to the
extension CT slavery into New Mexico, will join
the Wing, in Congress in opposing the Texan
claim, and the result will be large naajonty in
the House Of Represents tives against that claim.
Such decision will Protect the New Mexicans
from the INVASION of their territory, BY slavery,
Which they so justly and wisely dread.
Wefeel the most profound Joy at tho prospect
of the settlement of the slavery question, as it
relates to The Mexican territories, in opposition 10
the wishes Of those VIII, would force on them
a blight as, fatal as the breath OF pestilence--
We sincerely hope that limits will speedily be
fixed beyond which tie dark and bitter tide
of slavery cannotpsss. To hem in slavery with
in certain prescribed limits is great point
gained. solong as new and fertile fields remain
open to the extension Of slavery, its perpetuaton
viii necessarily DO secured. But bounded and
confined, it will, in tile course of time, be-
come an evil so insuppotable that its upholders
win find some means u, md themselves Of it.
We are not without strong hope that very
considerable portion of Texas will DO rescued
from the curse Ct slavery. Very important
movements are in progress in Ireland and France
which may result IN combining slavery to the cot
ton and sugar regions NJ Texas. We refer to
the movements 10 respect to emigration from
those countries to Texas Already the work has
been successfully begun, and it u stated that
large numbero OF pesons in comfortable circum-
stances in Ireland and France are preparing TO
remove to Texas. The troubles in Europe viii
cause an immense emigration to the Y. States,
and Texas will be the recipient of much Of it,
and these emigrsnts, in making provision for the
happiness and prosperity. Of their families, win
hardly make so fatal a blunder as to employ
slave labori in the cultivation Of the soil