The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-09-02


,aaction Of Slavery into territories which had
been eedsd by several of The states TO the United
states. The difference between the effects OF
The two measures, consists only in the fact. that
the territory to which the Ordinance Of ~ was
applied, was, previous 10 its cession, subjected
10 the introduction Of Slavery; while the terri
tories TO which il is now sought 10 be applied
had, at the time Of the cession 10 us, been al
ready exempted from il by law. WAC first pro-
claimed the principle which triInnphed IN the
enactment Of the Ordinance of lIcl2 Thomas
jefferson. Who promoted and secured its pas
sage through the Continental Congress- All
the distinguished and patriotic neE who that
year represented the slayeho3ding States in that
body, without solitary exc option. Who gave
to the measure his official sanction, by approx
inn bill TO carry il into effect, under the new
Government George Washington. Within
the last sixty years, and dowla to 1882, the same
enactment has been again and again repeated,
with The general concurrence OF the Southern
members, and often through their particular
insirumentalty. full fifth Of the States Of
the Union has been organised as territories un-
der its restrictions. In respect 10 Ohio. the
oldest Of them, conformity to this principle in
the Ordinance Of ~, was required, even In the
State constitution and government, and the bill
giving to the Ordinance this application, was re-
ported by u Committee Of which William b..
Giles Of Va, was chairman. and John Rutledge
Of S C !, a member. II was passed in the Senate
by vote of Lotto 5, and among the ayes will be
found the respected names Of baldwin and Jack
son, of Ga; Breckenridge and Brown, Of KY;
Franklin and Stone, of n. c; Stephens, Thcmp-
sou, Mason, and Wilson Cary Nicholas, of Va;
Sumpter, Of S. c., and Wright, Of Md. The
states which have grown up under and in con
(ormity to that ordinance have, in a very great
degree, been settled by emigrants from the slave
holding States. Thousands of these hardy and
enterprisiDg pioneers, many Of them, among the
most respectable Of their fellow citizens, for Il
series of years in succession, left their friends
and neighbors in the slayeholding states for
whatwas then the Far West, accompanied by
their players and benedictions; IL never enter
ing into the imagination of either that in doing
so they Submitted 10 any personal or sectional
reproach or degradation. Prosperous and hap
py in their abode, they and their associates,
and the great enterprise they accomplished,
have been honored and admired by all who have
witnessed their success. One of those very
settlers, after assuming, and for many years
disehArging the responsibility of enforcing the
Ordinance Of l7s7, and after enjoying a large
share of his country's confidence and respect in
other forms, was finally elevated 10 the Presi-
dency, and died in that exalted station. Anoth-
er highly disting lished inhsbitant of Of the
territories, subject to the same restriction, after
having also. for long series of years, borne the
responsibility At seeing 10 the execution Of this
now derided Ord finance, as Governor Of the Ter
rritory, is at present, the favored candidate for
the same high office, of portions, Of the citi-
zens Of the slaveholding as well rs Of the other
States.
In the face of facts like these, il is possible
| that the application Of this restriction TO New
Mexico and California can operate Ia the dispar-
agement of our brethren in the saveholding
States No impartial mind can, think, re-
gard il in this light aud IL there be any other
objections insisted on that are worthy of notice,
| am not apprised of them. None that are ten
able can in my judgment be offered. The mea-
sure is right in itself /; and what Is right may
always be done with ultimate safety. The pre-
| sent generation stand in the same relation to.
wards these very extensive territories in which
the savages Of ITS7 stood towards the north
western Territory. II we act Us wisely, as they
did, results not less glorious than those which
reflect such undying honor on the policy Of that
day, will follow the labors and perpetuate the
| memories Of these by whom IL is now upheld.
| The sixth resolution embraces the subject OF
Slavery in the District Of COLUMBIA and OBJ
serve in II a generality Of expression in respect
| TO the time when, and the circumstances under
| which, il the opinion of the Convention
that IL should be abolished, which has moi been
usual on the part of friends Of immediate action
Most rejecting and philanthropic minds live in
the hope that they will one day see Slavery sbo
lished not only in that District but in the
States also--in the latter through the agency Of
the State Government, TO whom the Constitu-
lion wisely leaves exclusive power in the maj
ter,-snd in the former by Congress. may be
mistaken, but think see in the guarded Ian.
gusge Of the Resolution evidence OF all appre-
hension on the part Of the Convention that
difference in opinion TO some extent at least
existed among its members upon the point re-
ferred to, and Of an enlightened and truly patri.
otto resolve not 10 suffer that circumstances, IL 4
existed, to weaken the moral power Of thei
unaninlity on the great question which hai
brought then together.
NV opinion in favor Of the power OF Congress
10 abolish Slavery in the District Of Columbia
has been repeatedly ayOwed, as well when
| candidate as while President and every day
reflection has but served TO confirm my con
yiction Of its correctness. at the same tim,
time expressed myself strongly against the ex
pedency Of exercising it and in a recent lette
TO the Newly ork Delegation at Utica, referre'
TO my continued opposition to that measure
The subject was only incidentally introduced
|, and there was consequently bus little care takel
In regard to the terms in which the suggestion
was made.
|, The form Of expression which ! employee
has, it appears led many honest aud intellgen
!, men to assume that the remark related exclu
sively to the past, and was not intended 10 con
!, vey my present views On the matter Thi
/ construction, though, perhaps, not unwarran
I ed by the words employed is, in fact, erroneou,
and it due TO truth, 10 fair dealing, and 10 a
r. who take an interest in the matter, that III
|, subject should now be placed in its true ligh
Ii is not to be denied that many of the re;
I sons which, in 1887 and before, operated to pr
duce the convictions then expressed, no long
! exist; and if, when writing to the New York d
"a legation at Utica, / could have anticipate
= what has since occurred, should have felt
. my duty 10 discriminate between the reason
O. which had passed away, and those which y
= remain But when nay letter TO them was Wi
!. ten, nothing could have been farther from n
. expectations, Than that should ever again be
!, candidate for the Presidency; and, of course,
n was not my intention 10 say what my oondu
,. would be on this or any other matter, if aga
N an incumbent Of that place.
~ | have spoken, in former part Of this lette
!, of the three leading features Of the policy, in
n gard to Slavery, adopted by the Fathers of Z
Is Republic. History, II true, must record Z
!. fact. that the North has hitherto faithfully ST
In tained her part, in the maintenance Of this pc
,di cy, aud in none more so than in that which
m culcates forbearance on the point now REFER
~ 10. ! wish 10 see the foTbearance which has
=, long characterized her conduct in this matt,
90 still farther continued. Approving OF the III;
10 form which the Convention has adopted, a
nd conscious, from my impressions Of right and
10 ty in regard TO i, that shall be among the Il
% abandon Il, prefer not TO connect our effo
90 To sustain it, with an issue which, all must 6
nd nit To be, in some degree at least, affected
rs different considerations.
nj In NV Indictment all that is NECESSARY 70