The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-07-29

Oresss, caiifsrnss, and New Mexico. nm.
me action % che Ce~Ps esni.c Commute
IN resasiea 20 these Territories.
i We have heretofore Informed our readers that
4 on the 18th of the present month, a select com
mittee, conslstingof four wings, and four demo
Gratis, four Of whom are from slave-holding, an,
four from non-slaveholding States, was appoint
ed to consider the subject of territorial govern
ments for Oregon, California, and New Mexico
This committee, it was thought, would be ab
TO decide on some method of tTanqullising Tn
present agitation in reference To the extension o
slavery into these territories. For several months
this subject has. excited great attention IN Con
gress, and throughout the country. So yiolen
had the excitement become, that some very goo
men began TO fear that il would involve the exis
tence Of our Union. II was therefore consider
ed by many indispensable to the peace and per
manency of the Union, that the subject shouls
be settled as early as possible us its longer agi
tation bodcd no good. Mr. Clayton's motion Il
refer 1t TO a select committee, chosen by ballot
which should represent both political parties AM
both geographical sections, was hailed as an
omen Of much good.
More than year ago, bin was introduced
establishing territorial government for Oregon
The people Of that Territory had inserted in it a
section prohibiting slavery. Some Of the South.
em representatives and Senators viewed this
section with alam, fancying it a mine of evil
The bin was not passed before the adjournment
Of Congress, andthe people of Oregon were dis.
appointed in their reasonable expectations, d
having such territorial government as they
deemed necessary TO the promotion Of their in.
terests. Senator Benton in letter TO the peo-
pie Of that territory, declared that the reason
twhy their application FOR q government had not
been granted was TO be found in the fact that
Their territorial legislature had seen ft TO forbid
slavery, which exclusion had excited the deter
mined hostility Of the slavery propsgandists, who
never take step without reference totheir ''pe-
culiaT institution" There can he no doubt thai
Mr.. Benton's view of the matter was correct,
and that no government had been provided for
Oregon because the people Of that territory, in
consulting their permanent happiness and pros
perIty had resolved that the curse OF slavery
should not rest on their soil. The same bill has
been lingering for several weeks in the Senate
during the present session, and many speeches
Of great ingenuity and ability have been made
on II by both the advocates and opponents OF
slavery. Both parties seemed equally resolved,
and compromise appeared TO be out Of the ques-
ton, uatil MI. Clayton moved 10 appoint the
committee we have referred to-
Never before since the foundation OF our gov
eminent had the prO-slavery members of Con-
gress taken such bold ground in reference %
their domestic Institutions. They declared that
there was no power by which either Congress OF
the people Of territories could exclude slavery,
| and that the institution could be established
wherever there was territory and a migratory
STAKEHOLDER saw fl 10 take his chattels and settle
on it. They insisted that the entire legislation
of Congress with reference to the territories had
been in violation Of the Constitution. Never
had views so latitudinarian beer expressed by
| men protesting 10 be statesmen The arguments
of these men were met and refuted by those who
\ insisted that Congress had not acted without au.
thorty heretofore in its legislation for the terto
res, and hat il sclearly within the competency
OF Congress to forbid slavery in territories nov
| free. In the instance Of the ordinance for the
Northwestern territory, and in the celebrated
Missouri Compromise, Congress had abolished
slavery from soil in which it had previously exist
ell. In the case of the newly acquired Mexican
| territory, where slavery did not e,ist, there was
no authurity TO create IA. Slavery is a local in.
stitution and cannot be established without spe-
cial legislation, and as Congress cannot estab.
Iish it IN New Mexico and California, these ter
ritorIes must remain free until such time as they
shall become States, and then it will be within
the competency of the people to almit it if they
please.
Further TO add TO the intense excitemen,
growing out Of this subject, the movements OF
tho Barnburners Of New York, seconded by
large numbers Of the people Of other free States
seemed to promise protracted struggle inyolv-
ing the PerPetuity Of the Union. To avert any
such great calamity was the object Of the SEN
ate in tho appointment Of the Compounds Com.
mittee. The Committee held several meeting.
and were unable to agree ON any arrangement,
such as that suggested by Senator Bright, who
proposed tn extend the line Of the Missouri
Compounds to the Pacific. They at length
agreed TO report bill which Is now before the
Senate. E ..t
This bill establishes a government in Oregon
substantially the same as that which has so long
been under consideration in the Senate. II
leaves the laws Of the territorial government in
lorce, subject to the confirmation, amendment,
or repeal Of the Territorial Legislature. A gov
eminent is also provided for California by the
appointment Of Governor, Secretary, three
Judges, District Attorney, and Marshal
The governor and Judges are to constitute a Leg
islative Council with power to pass such laws AS
they may deem necessary. These laws must be
submitted to Congress-. and, II not approved.
they are to Devoid. The council Is strictly pro.
hibited from legislating uDn slavery, from es-
tablishing any form OF religion, from mourning
debt and from disPosing Of any portion Of the
soil. The decisions of the territorial cour,.
may be appealed from to the Supreme Court of
the United States, in the same way as cases
from the Circuit courts. The government for
New Mexico 10 the same, with the execution
that Tut two judges are to be appointed.
so TAR as the government for Oregon is con-
cerned, we feel certain that no effort will be
made by the people Of that territory to establish
slavery. What the result in California and
New Mexico may be, cannot so clearly be fore
seen. .-
It 10 very generally supposed that the bill Of
the committee will pass the Senate It's fa,s in