The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1848-12-22

concede something to the other.
i Our gallant forces 10 the Mexican war
a BY whose patriotism and unparalleled
}, deeds Of arms, we obtained these posses
. sions a. an indemnify for our just demand'
a sgsiost Mexico, wsrs conposed Of cli'
: xeps who belonged to no state or section
Of our Uni on. They were from slavhold'
r ing and non slaveholding states, from the
north and from the south, from the eas,
D aud the west. They were all companions
IN arms, and fellow cItixens Of the came
, common country engaged in the same
/ common cause. Wheo prosecuting that
/ war they were brethren and friends, and
shared alike with each other common
tolls, dangers aud suGerings. Now, vine"
their work 10 ended, when peace is re
lstored, aud they return again to ihei'
homes, put of the habllimeOts Of war,
take, heir places 10 society. and resume
tbeir pursuits in civil life, surely spirit
OF ha mony aud concession, and Of equal
regard for the rights OF all, and OF al!
in providing governments for the acq"i
red ter,i!ories--the fruits Ut their com
mon service. The whole people Of the
United States, and OF every state, con
..rIbuled TO deiray the expenses OF tina
war and il would not be just TOT aOy one
seotionLo exclnd G another from all par.
ticipaion in 'hes acquired territories -
This would be in cuusonance with the
just system Of government whIc the fra
ners of our constitutlon adopted.
Tie question is rather abstract, than |
practical, whether slavery ever can Or
W i'll exist in any portion of the acquired
territory. even II 1t were left TO the oP
lion VI the slave holding states themselves.
From the nature Of the. climate, and the
productions of the country, in much the
larger portion of it, It is certain It wouId
not. But however this may be, the que.
tion. involving as it doesa principle OF
equality Of rights of the separate aud sew
sral States, as equal copartners in the
c confederscy, should not be disregarded.
In organizing governments over these
territories, ~ duties imposed on Congress
by the Constitution require that the!
should legislate on the subject Of slavery,
" hils their power to do SO is not oul, se
riously questioned, but deuisd by many
Of the soundes, expounders Of that instru-
ment. Whether Congress shall legslate
Or not, the people ofthe acq ,red terr,to.
form STATE Constitutions, will possess the
sole and exclusive power to determine
for themselves whether slavery shall, oI
shall not exist within their limits. II
Congress shall abstain from interfering
With the question, the people of these ter. }
ri!ories wIll he left free to adjust II as "
hey may think proper. when the, apPl'
or admission as states INTO The U"iYn. 80
Vo enactment Of Congress could restrain
he people oi any Of the sovereign states j
f the Unioo, old or new, North or South. "
lavehoiding or non .slaveholding, from de. p
cru lining the charater Of their own do-
lestio institutions as they may deem via q
nd proper Any aud all the States pos II
ess this right, aad Congress csouot de
RVS them Of it. The people ot Gsorgio &
night # they choose to alter their Con. al
,itution ~ to abolish slavery within It's 81
Unite, and the peopIs OF Vermont m,gh' p
o alter their Constitution as to adm d'
lavery within its limits. Both States ae
'ould possess the right i,hough,as all know tn
10 not probable tina. either would exert IN
II 10 fortunate for the pescs aud bar 10
oDy Of the U0ion. that this qOsst!"n Is ca
'mporary 10 its nature. and eau V"lY Va
,ntinus for the brief period which VIII IN. VI
'rvene before Ca lifornia and New Mexico II
ay be admitted as S, ates inio ,hs Ualon a,
rom the tide of popuIatlo n now q wing al
ito them, It 10 highly probable that this bs
III 500 oc cur. ia
Considering the several Stat e. aud the ~
tisens Of The several states as equals of
I'd entitled TO equal rights under the b.
II this were 40 original pr
. sssion !, might well be insisted upon. W
at the princiPte Of non.in, erference is
10 true doc,rine, and tha, Congress
Duld not 10 the absence of any express
ant OF power. interfere with heir Isla
W righs. Upon a great emergenc,
'wsver, and uader menancing dangers
the Unioo, the Missouri, Comp omlse =,
ne in respect 10 slavery wa. adopted -
be me line was sx,epded tar,ner wes
I the acqulsltion Of Texas. Ater an
euiescsacs Of asarly th,riy yeslsia t"e
Tincipls Of Compromise, tscognissa sno ..
'tablished By these acts; aud to avoid the ).
anger 10 the Union which nigh, follow :,
il were now dwtegardsd. I have here
fore expressed the oplnloa that that
ne Of oompromiss should be extended Oh 70
10 parallel Of 80 degrees 80 minutes, ="