Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-09-20
SLAVERY AND THE TERRITORIES.
SPEECH OF
MIR. HORACE MANN
OF NIA>sASss,TsEx~,
In TIE HorsE or REPRESENTATIVES,,

:. and lis duty TO exclude slavery there
-. from.
:. Mr.. MANN said:
. Mr. CHAIRMAN: | have listened with in
III tere>t. both yesterday and to-day. l.
is speeches on what is called the ..Prcsiden
9. tial question: ] propose TO discuss
Is question of far greater magniiule-th,
question OF the agc-one. whose conse
% quenccs will not end with the cns,.in.
" four years. but will reach forward TO lh(
i setting Of the of time.
!. Sir. our position is this: The United
y States finds itself the owner of a vas, re.
i gion of country al the West. now almos,
r vacant OF inhabitants. Parts of this re-
! gion are sa!ubrious and fertile We have.
; reason 10 suppose that, in addition 10 the
treasures of wealth which industry NAV
o gather from lis surface. there are mineral
treasures beneath it-riches garnered up of
old in subtcrranean chambers. & awaiting
the application of intelligence and skill to
be converted into the means of human
: Improvement and happiness. These le-
gions. it is true, lie remote from our place
of residence. Their shores are washed
by another sea. and it is no firurc of
speech TO say that another sky bends over
them. So remote are they. that their
-.
as our day; and yet. such are the wonder.
tul improvements in art, in modern times,
as to make it no rash anticipation that be.
tore this century shall have closed the
inhabitants on the Atlantic shores will be
able to visit their brethren on the Pacific.
in ten days; and that intelligence will be
transmitted and returned, between, the
Eastern ami the Western oceans, i'm ten
minutes. Tha, country, therefore. will
be rapidly filled. and we shall be brought
INTO intimate relations with it; and, not
outstanding its distance, into proximity
TO it,
/ Now, i'll the providence Of God. il has /
fallen TO our lot To legislate for this unoc-
cuPled, or but partially occupied. expanse
IT'S great Future hangs upon our decision
Not only degrees OF latitude and longi-
Jude, but vast tracts of time--ages and
ccnturies7-seem at our disposal As are
the institutions which we form and estab-
lish there, so will be the men whom these
institutions. in their turn. will form Ma
ture works by fixed laws; but we can bring
this or that combination of circumstances
under the operation of her laws, and thus
determine results. Here springs up our
responsibility. One class of institutions
VIII gather there one class Of men, who
VIII develop one set Of characteristics: an
otherclas of institutions will gather there
another class of men. who will develop
other characteristics. Hence, their fltu-
rty is to depend upon our present course. 4.
Hence, the acts we are to perform, seem ,
10 partake OF the nature Of creation, rath- ,
er than of legislation. Standing upon the
elevation which we now occupy, and look :
ing over into that empty world, ..yet void" !
If not without FORM but soon to be fill !,
ed with multtudinous life, and ref1ectiny ;
upon our power to give form and charac-
ter to that life, and almost to foreordain i,
what il shall be, feel as though it would !;
De no ifrevcrcnce to compare our condi- p,
ton to that of the Creator before he fash 6
Toned the ''lord'' Of this lower world: for :
we, like Him. can ingraft one set of at :,
or another set of attributes, upon ;,
whole race Of men. In approaching :,
TINS subject, therefore, feel sense Of :
responsibility corresponding to the infinite :,
i speak LITERAL y-the infinite interests a
which it embraces
AS Tar as the time allowed me will Der. :,
mt. propose TO discuss two questions. y
ne first IS, 50 Whether Congress can Iau- =
'~ly hgis/ate on the subject IF slarcryI b
n tie Ierritoriex!' -
On this question new and most extra J
ordinary doctrine has lately been broach- =
ID. a ne" reading of the Constitution
has been discovered. 1t is averred that nj
he Sd section of the 18th article, giving .,
congress power Ito dispose of, and make
III needtul rules and regulations respect G
ns the territory or other property belong ye
nS to the United States.'' only gives pow IN
r to legsiate for the land. as iand 1t is =,
Omitted that Congress may legisate for =,
1e land as land-geologically or botani- nr
ally considered--perhaps for the beasts of
lat roam upon its surface, or the fishes n
lat SWIM IL its waters; but i, is denied of
lat Congress possesses any power TO de- q,
srmine the laws and the institutions Of Al
lose who shall inhabii tina, 'land'' r.,
But compare this with any other object L.,
purchase or possession. When Texas 81;
as admitted into the Union. it transferred =:
$ navy" TO the United States: in other -,
ords, the United States bought. and Of Il
purse owned. the navy Of Texas. he
What power had Congress over this ma re
: after the purchase! According TO the Ill
ew doctrine, il could pass laws for the S.
lli, the masts, and the sails Of the Tex "a
q ships. but would have no power to nav 81,
ate them by officers and men, Ii nigh, n
overn the ships much wood, iron.
nd cordage. but would have no authority va
yer commanders or crews. -
But we are challenged to show any ov
ause IN the Constitution which confers N,
4 cypress power to legislate over the Ter. The
tories We possess. Ichallenge our op- lea
'nenfs to show any clause which confers an
fPress power to acquire those Territories Nj
emseives- If, then. the power to acquire AM
iis's' 1t exists by implication and infer the
ice; and II the power to acquire be an Six
lPled one, the power to govern what is no,
;quired must be implied also. For. for
hat purpose does any man acquire prop BA
" bu. to govern and control III What in
,es buyer pay for, if it be not the right CIR
..dispose off, Sachis the dictrine OF ma
C Supreme Cour, Of the United States: no,